Part 3 (1/2)

Fortunately for the lieutenant the night ar was concerned But it was no mean task to clean both himself and his uniform, and what to do for another hat he did not know He would have taken Larry's headgear had that article been anyway suitable, but it was not

It hly ill at ease That there was trouble ahead ithout saying, and he half wished himself safe back on the _Olyainst ht ”And his men will back hiuilty of no intentional wrong-doing, and resolved to stand up for himself to the best of his ability

The lieutenant had learned one lesson--that he knew nothe casco than did Larry, if as estions as to how to run the craft But he keptunder his breath at the youth, and Larry felt that he was aching to ”get square”

It was early dahen the casco turned into the lake proper As the sun caht on one of the prettiest sheets of water Larry had ever beheld The lake was as s stretches of rowth Fish were plentiful, as could be seen by gazing into the clear depths below, and overhead circled innues dotted the lake shore at various points, but these the expedition gave a wide berth, setting out directly for Santa Cruz, still several miles distant, behind the hill previously mentioned

If it had been General Lawton's intention to attack the town froed, and the expedition turned toward shore at a point at least three miles from the town proper

But even here the rebels could be seen to be on the alert, and a rapid-firing gun was put into action and directed along the lake front The gun was manned by some men from the _Napadan_, and did such wonderful execution that soon the insurgent sentries were seen to be fleeing toward the town at utmost speed Then a small detachment from some brush also retreated, and the coast was clear

It was no easy matter to land, as the water here was shallow and the cascos had to be poled along over the soft mud The sharpshooters were the first ashore, and they soon cleared a spot for the others But a few of the rebels were ”gah not seriously The cavalry remained on the boats, to land closer to the hill later on

The landing had consumed much valuable time, and it was now after noon A hastyout in fan shape as it advanced, the sharpshooters to the front and the rear, and a nu of danger Soon the scouts in front ca in front of our troops and that Santa Cruz and its garrison seeer which threatened

”Forward, boys!” was the cry ”The ive them, the better they will be prepared to meet us Forithout delay!” And the ”boys” went forith a wild hurrah, for everything promised well, and they were h they had no fault to find with their other coht Some rebels had found their way to a hill behind the town, and they began the attack from a patch of wild plantains, thickly interlaced with tropical vines Up the hill after the, and the sharp rattle of musketry resounded upon both sides for the best part of half an hour

Then the rebels broke and ran, and in their eagerness our troops followed theained Here the insurgents scattered, and could not be rounded up, and the right wing fell back, to unite with the round new to the A darkness it was several hours before the firing line was coht

Larry had landed with the soldiers, and, as the other cascos came up, he was speedily joined by Luke Striker and Jack Biddle

”I wonder what part we air to take in this comin' mix-up?” queried Luke

”Like as not they will leave us here to mind the boats,” replied Larry ”I can tell you that I a,” he added soberly

”Sorry!” ejaculated Jack Biddle ”Surely, Larry, ye ain't afraid--”

”No, I'm not afraid,” interrupted the youth And then he told of the scene in the casco, and of what Lieutenant Horitz had said When he had finished, Jack cut a wry face and Luke uttered a lohistle

”You've run up agin a rock fer sartin, Larry,” res look putty bad for ye if he's of a mind to do it”

”Keep quiet an' say nuthin', an' he it all about it,” was Jack Biddle's advice

The boats having been cared for, the sailors followed the soldiers through the field and into the woods All told there were twenty-five jackies, and by common consent they formed themselves into a company of their oith a petty officer named Gordell at their head

Gordell went to General Lawton for directions, and was told to follow the volunteers until given further orders Each sailor was armed with a pistol and a shi+p's cutlass

Theaccustomed to the tropics and hardly minded this The little co to run into an aht reached their ears, and they knew that soement was on Then caht fell over the into a good-sized stream which separated the expedition from the outskirts of Santa Cruz

Supper disposed of, Larry and Luke Striker took a stroll forward, to find out what the firing line was really doing and if the insurgents were in front in force ”We ested the old Yankee gunner

”You can trust General Lawton not to run his head into the lion's mouth,” returned Larry ”A soldier who has whipped the Apache Indians isn't going to suffer any surprise at the hands of these Tagals, no matter hoily they are”

”Don't be too sure o' thet, Larry The best on us rave shake of his head But General Lawton made no mistake, as we shall speedily see