Part 28 (1/2)
The scouts had brought in a dozen orthelish quite fluently As soon as he could obtain permission, Ben hurried over to have a talk with the prisoners
He found that the Filipino had belonged to those having soe
”And do you know anything ofsailor from the _Olympia_, and his name is Larry Russell”
”Yes, yes, I know hi his head ”He was at the cave where they have kept so time” And he described Larry so minutely that Ben felt there could be no mistake about the matter
”Is my brother well? How do they treat him? Please tell me the truth”
”You ood,” said the Filipino ”And when I saw your brother last he was very well”
”And where is this prison cave?”
At this the insurgent shrugged his shoulder ”Now, _capitan_, you are asking me too much I am pleased to tell you that your brother is safe More than that I cannot tell, for it would not be right”
This was not encouraging, yet Ben could not help but admire the prisoner's loyalty to his cause ”Very well,” he said ”I am thankful to know that ht ot the chance to talk to the Spanish prisoner, asthat he was friendly to the United States and had never encouraged the rebels Seldoentleman than Senor Romano proved to be
”Ah, the war is terrible! terrible!” said the senor, after Ben had introduced himself ”It is bloodshed, bloodshed, all the time Where it will end, Heaven alone knows--but I am afraid the Filipinos will be beaten far worse than was ht there,” replied Ben ”But we can't do anything for them now until they lay down their arms”
”The war has ruined hundreds of planters and merchants,--whole fortunes have been swept away,--and the insurgents have levied taxes which are beyond endurance To souinaldo is their idol, but to , and only for his own glory But he cannot hold outhim into the very mountains,--and once away from the civilization of the towns, his folloill beco but _banditti_--mark me if it is not so”
”You are a resident of Luzon?” went on Ben
”Hardly I belong in Spain--but I have lived here for several years”
”Do you know one Benedicto Lupez, or his brother Jose”
At this question the brow of Senor Romano darkened
”Do I know them? Ah, yes, I know them only too well They are rascals, villains, cheats of the worst order I trust they are not your friends”
”Hardly, although I should like first-rate to meet them, and especially to meet Benedicto”
”And for what? Excuse entleman like you have in coet hold of so captain, and told the story of thefunds and the part the Spaniard was supposed to have played in their disappearance
”It is like Lupez,” answered Senor Ro swindled a rich aunt out of a small fortune; and in Manila you will find a hundred people ill tell you that both brothers are rascals to the last degree, although, so far, they have kept out of the clutches of the law--through bribery, I think”
”Not during General Otis's term of office?”
”No; before the city fell into your hands The govern as he divided with certain officials”
”And what did he work at?”