Part 29 (1/2)

”Avast, I' at the best, captain,--an ef I remained behind to cast around fer the lad, ye otten Larry, fer they ain't, not by a jugful Every man jack o' them is his friend, an' was, almost from the start”

Luke had co a pack-train of caribao carts carrying rations and army equipments He had left the _Olympia_ several days before, and had not waited to witness the departure of the flagshi+p

As Luke wished to re the matter to Colonel Darcy and to Major Morris, and Luke was taken into the regiment camp as a cook, for he had once been a cook on a ely an honorary one, and the sailor was permitted to leave his pots and kettles whenever he pleased

”It's good news,” he said, when the young captain had told him what the prisoners had said about Larry and Benedicto Lupez ”I've an idee we'll get to Larry soon, an' down thet tarnal Spaniard in the bargain”

The conversation took place on Tuesday On Wednesday orders caiment was taken toward San Isidro by way of Baluarte, a se seven miles to the southeast of the new rebel capital In the uinaldo was preparing to decaress, into the mountain fastnesses, still further northward

”We are in for another fight,” said Major Morris, as he ca to be so to the finish”

”That means, then, that we are bound for San Isidro!” cried the young captain ”Hurrah! that's the best news I've heard in a week”

The regiment was soon on the road, spread out in proper battalion form The day was close, and it looked as if a thunderstor the road was thick, and at certain points the overhanging branches had to be cut off that the troops on, had to stop so that a hole ed over with bamboo poles Here and there they passed a nipa hut, but these places were deserted, excepting in rare instances, where an aged native would stand at the door, holding up a white rag as a signal of surrender, or to show that he was an _ao_, or friend

”It's pitiable,” said Ben to Major Morris, as they trudged along side by side ”I reckon sonorant creatures have an idea that we have couinaldo and his followers have taught the like that,” replied the major ”Otherwise, they wouldn't look so terrified”

At one point in the road, they came to a tumble-down hut, at the doorway of which rested a wo the soldiers with eyes full of terror Going up to the woman, Ben spoke kindly to her, but she i her trio of offspring after her

”You can't make friends that way,” cried Major Morris ”They won't trust you I've tried it more than once”

There was now a hill to cliiment had scarcely covered a hundred feet of the ascent, when there cae beyond, which wounded two soldiers in the front rank

”The rebels are in sight!” was the cry ”Come on, boys, let us drive 'em back! On to San Isidro!” And aent one battalion after another, fatigued by a two e once ents had the ridge well fortified, and General Lawton at once spread out his troops in a se off the defenders froie The as over groundvines, that brought ular fish-net!” spluttered Dan Casey, as he tried in vain to rise, with vines ensnaring both ars ”I don't know but phwat a felloants a wire-cutter here, just as they had 'em in Cuby to cut the wire finces wid”

”Nefer ot by der dop of dot hill,” answered Carl Stulement ”Be dankful dot you ain't parefooted by dem dorns” And on went both once more

There was

”Down!” The cry came from the front, and doent Ben's company into a little hollow, for the rebels had them in plain vie, and the two lines were less than three hundred yards apart A volley froents followed, but nobody was struck

”Forward twenty-five yards!” cried Ben, and up went the cocommander, who ran on ahead to inspire his ht hit him to lay him low forever But his ”baptism of fire” had been complete, and he did not flinch

”Hot work, this!” The words caoing to be no picnic taking that ridge”

”True, Gil coain the co at will, which lasted the best part of ten ents, likewise, fired, and a corporal and a private ounded and had to be carried to the rear

Looking around, Ben espied Luke Striker in the ranks of Company D The old sailor had provided hi away at a lively rate

”I couldn't help it,” said Luke, when the young captain came up to him ”It's the best fun I've had sence thet air muss in Manila Bay, e blowed old Montojo out o' the water, off Cavite Say, but we'll git to the top o' the hill afore long, jes' see ef we don't!”

And Luke blazed away again, and so Ben left hi in, and soon another advance was made, until the first line of the American troops was less than a hundred and fifty yards away froents' outer intrenchle on the left