Part 33 (1/2)
”Now, if we only knehere this leads to,” cried Ben
”I reckon it leads to San Isidro,” caood number of mil--”
”Look! look!” ejaculated Striker, pointing up the road ”The rebels, as sure as you air born! An' they air co, too Boys, we air lost!”
CHAPTER xxxI
THE FALL OF SAN ISIDRO--CONCLUSION
Luke Striker was right; a large force of Filipinos were sweeping down the road at a rapid rate, bringing with theun They were commanded by several officers on horseback, and presented a formidable appearance to the worn-out Aht, quick!” The cry came from Ben ”It's our only chance to escape”
The words had scarcely left his lips when the pop-pop of several Mausers was heard, as the Filipino sharpshooters, ere in advance of the main body, opened fire upon them Their aih neither seriously
”They've caught ainst Ben At the sa
”Oh, Luke!” The call ca painfully
”Where did they hit you? This is the worst of all!”
”I'le!”
And Striker clutched Larry's hand in a death-like grip, bound to live or die with his closest friend, as the case ht be
The pair started forward Ben hesitated and looked at Boxer, and saw the latter try to stagger up oncecaptain, and picked the sharpshooter up In a few seconds ain
But the Filipinos were not going to let the up on the double-quick, a detach on the Americans to surrender if they wanted to save their lives
With Larry li in spite of their efforts to keep silent, the Aht prove a safe hiding-place But the ground here was level and the jungle rather spare, and for those ounded to climb trees was out of the question
”We'll have toto his pistol to see if it was fully loaded ”They are co captain broke off short, as a loud shouting from the road interrupted him Then came a volley of ot the voice ”Forward, and don't let a man of them escape On to San Isidro!”
”Our troops!” cried Larry ”Oh, God be praised that they are co this way!”
”Yes, yes, our troops!” ejaculated Ben ”And what is reat that he felt like dancing a jig
The shouting and firing now increased, until it was almost upon them
Then followed a rush into the woods, and the little party found itself face to face with a score of Filipinos
At first our friends were greatly alarmed, and Ben and Larry did their best to defend theals as they appeared But the eneave the little party scant attention Then came a yell close at hand, and in a few seconds a squad of Ah the thicket
”Dan Casey!” cried Ben, as he recognized the Irish volunteer