Part 8 (1/2)
To the tale Captain Fipile listened with interest, even s when Larry told how he had broken out of the prison ”You did wonderfully well for a boy,” he remarked ”A man could not have done more What became of your friend?”
”I left him at the warehouse I hope he rejoined the soldiers”
”And what of Senors Benedicto and Jose Lupez?”
”I don't knohat became of them”
”I know this Jose Lupez fairly well, and I always thought hihtfully ”We are fighting you Americans, it is true, but ould not wish to shelter a thief who had run away froood ive us credit for it”
”We know that soly ”What do you intend to do with me?” he went on, after a pause
”That remains to be seen Would you like to join our army?”
”Me? No, sir!” cried the youth, proht ”You are honest enough about it, Ius a little inforiven you considerable information already”
”Ito say on that point”
”Can't I persuade you to tell me what you et you to talk, it o much easier with you while you reestively
”I' to say”
”Very well, then, Master Russell, if you are rather harshly treated in the future, reeneral rule, we take prisoners only for the purpose of squeezing what infor, Captain Fipile arose and quitted the cave, leaving Larry to his own reflections, which were
CHAPTER IX
THE ADVANCE INTO THE JUNGLE
Santa Cruz had been taken, but there was still una de Bay to make it safe territory for the Americans to hold From the city the rebels were pursued eastward, and a nuer boats were captured Inside of a few days Paete, Longos, Lues, were visited by detachents fled in each instance, leaving all behind theht were either killed or wounded, and victory was entirely upon the side of the Americans
But noas learned that the forces under General Aguinaldo and General Luna were concentrating once retted the necessity, General Otis was compelled to order General Lawton and his coarrisons could be spared for Santa Cruz, or the other places captured, so these settlements were allowed to fall once more into the hands of the enemy, after all the fortifications had been destroyed and the arms and munitions of war confiscated It see once taken the to General Lawton's esti of Santa Cruz, the A for lurking rebels and hidden arms, and in this search a squad of infantry came upon Luke Striker, who had propped hi himself as coeant in charge of the squad ”Where did you come from?”
[Illustration: ”Hullo, sailor, where did you coe 82_]
Luke's story was quickly told, and he begged the soldier to look for Larry, fearing that serious harm had befallen the lad At once two soldiers were detailed to care for the old Yankee, while the rest went on a hunt which lasted far into the night
As we know, nothing was seen of Larry; but fro Filipino, the soldiers learned that the boy had been taken a prisoner, and must now be many miles away from the city News of this reached Luke while he was in the teht, and the information made the old fellow feel as bad as did his wound