Part 16 (1/2)
”No--no--I'asp ”I've had my ind knocked ou--out of uess not But ho ever heard of such a con--founded trick?”
”I've heard of it several tiht have been had the rebels put some sharp sticks down here to spit us with”
”True” Major Morris gave a grunt, and wiped the dirt froineering corps was up to”
This was said so dryly that in spite of his discoh
”Yes, we've learned The question is, noe are down here, how are we going to get out?”
”Better ht and see how deep the hole is first,” replied the commander of the first battalion
Fortunately Ben had plenty ofone, he lit a baht thus afforded they saw that the hole was about eight feet wide and twice as long The level of the road above was fully eight feet over their heads
”Looks as if ere in a box, eh, captain?” said the rimly
”We're certainly in a hole,” responded Ben ”But I think we can get out withoutwon't bring one, and there is nothing here to take the place of one, either”
”Nothing but our hands Here, if you'll hold the light, I'll see what I can do”
”Here is a bit of a flat stick, try that,” rejoined Major Morris; and taking the articleone end of the hole by loosening the dirt so that a large portion of it soon fell at their feet Standing upon the fallen portion he continued his operations, and presently an to scra to do, but it was far better than to remain in the hole, and besides, there was nobody at hand to conity in the an Major Morris, brushi+ng off his clothing as he spoke ”In the future--”
”Hold on, ,” interrupted Ben, and pulled his co toward them, from a side road which joined the main road at a point but a few yards distant Soon he , drawn by a pair of caribaos, or water buffaloes On the seat of the cart sat two sleepy-looking natives
”We must stop that cart,” was the major's comment ”If we don't, there will be a bad sood plan to expose ourselves,” replied Ben
”But do you want those chaps to break their necks?” demanded the commander of the first battalion ”More than likely they are _a them, major”
As Ben spoke he picked up sorass and palm leaves and applied a match to the stuff It blazed up readily, and he threw the e of the hole
”There, if they can't see that they et out,” and off they ran for the thicket close at hand From here they watched the cart and saw it come to a halt near the hole and knew that the turnout was safe
”I shouldn't think the rebels would care to leave those holes about,”
was Major Morris' coerous to their own people as they are to us”