Part 19 (2/2)
”Larry Russell?” repeated Barton Brownell, thoughtfully ”To be sure I did He is a sailor from the _Olympia_, isn't he?”
”Yes! yes! And was he with you?”
”He was, at first But he wasn't when I left Theythem So he was your brother? That beats all, doesn't it--to think I should fall in with you in such a place as this!”
CHAPTER XX
THE ADVANCE UPON MAASIN
Ben was hted to learn that Barton Brownell hadthe escaped soldier regarding hisbrother
”Yes, your brother ith me about teeks,” said Barton Brownell
”He cauna de Bay, after General Lawton left that territory”
”And was he well, or had he been wounded?”
”He was suffering from a cut in the head A Spaniard had kicked him--and, yes, he toldrobbed a bank of some money”
”Benedicto Lupez!” ejaculated Ben, more astonished than ever
”That's the name Your brother had run across thatto make this Benedicto Lupez a prisoner, when the brother kicked him in the head, and then both of the on again he found himself a prisoner He was taken to a cauna de Bay, and afterward transferred to the cave where I was held”
”I a captain, and breathed silent thanks to God for His mercy ”Do you knohere they took Larry to?”
”I can't say exactly, but I know that a greatto the mountains back of San Isidro I wouldn't be surprised to hear of Aguinaldo ive all I aain ive all he is worth to escape,” rejoined Brownell ”The boys hate to be kept prisoners, and try all sorts of devices to get away One fellow had souard with it But the guard only laughed at him and stole the money”
”Of course you do not knohat became of Benedicto Lupez and his brother”
”No, your brother knew nothing further than that they ran off after the assault on hi had somewhat exhausted the wounded man and Ben forbore to question him further just then While Barton Brownell rested easily on so captain turned to the commander of the first battalion
”What shall we do next,back,” was the ready answer ”The sooner we report to the colonel the better he will be pleased”
”I feel like pushi+ng right through to San Isidro, on a hunt for my brother”
”It would be a foolish reatly e force in front of us, and to atte risk Be thankful that your brother is safe thus far As long as he remains quiet I don't think the rebels will harood advice, and he agreed to do as the , and half an hour later they started, thinking to rejoin their co tramp, the more so because Brownell had to be assisted by one or the other for the entire distance
”I'hed the wounded soldier ”Perhaps you had better push on and let me shi+ft for myself” But the major and the captain would not hear of this