Part 5 (1/2)
CHAPTER VI
IN WHICH LUKE STRIKER IS WOUNDED
The plan to surprise Santa Cruz had failed, yet General Lawton's command was just as eager as ever to press forward and do battle with the native garrison, of which the town on the Laguna de Bay boasted.
It was thought the Filipino command could not be a strong one, and even if it had been the Americans would have gone ahead just the same, so accustomed were they to victory over their misguided foes.
It was arranged that the centre and left wing of the infantry should move directly upon the town, while the right wing should swing around, to cut off the Filipinos' retreat, should they start such a movement.
In the meantime, protected by a cross fire from the tinclads, _Laguna_ and _Oeste_, the cavalry landed on the hill overlooking the bay, and began to do battle with the enemy's force in that territory, cutting its way over field and brush to the left wing as it swung closer to the river already mentioned several times. The cavalry developed a strong resistance which lasted for over an hour; but in the end the Filipinos were glad enough to fall back into the town proper.
Out on the main road leading to the princ.i.p.al bridge over the river the sun was boiling hot, and many a soldier felt more like seeking shelter and resting than like pus.h.i.+ng forward with his heavy gun and other equipments. But General Lawton was here and there, encouraging every one, and they pushed on until a sharp fire between the enemy and the advance guard told that a running fight, and perhaps a regular battle, would soon be at hand.
”At them, my men!” cried the various commanders. ”They'll run, no doubt of it. They haven't stood up against us yet!” And away went the long skirmis.h.i.+ng line, and soon there was a steady crack and pop of guns and pistols as the Americans pushed on, catching many a poor Filipino who was too late in either running or throwing down his arms.
A number surrendered, and these were promptly sent to the rear.
Presently the river was gained, and here the Americans came to an unexpected halt. There was a long bridge to cross, and beyond was a barricade of stone and wood. Were the insurgents ma.s.sed behind that barricade? If they were, to cross the bridge in column of fours or otherwise would mean a terrible slaughter.
”Here goes!” sang out one petty officer, and made a dash forward, which was as reckless as it was daring. As he moved along the bridge several held their breath, expecting to see him go down at any instant. But then came a rush of first half a dozen, then a score, and then whole companies, and it was speedily seen that the barricade was practically deserted. The insurgents were hurrying into the town as hard as they could, with Uncle Sam's men after them, both sides keeping up a steady firing as they ran.
In the meantime, soaked to the skin and utterly miserable over their capture, Larry and his Yankee friend had been thrust into the prison cell and left to themselves. After the door was locked and the jailer walked away, the youth uttered a long-drawn sigh.
”Luke, we're in a pickle, this trip,” he groaned. ”What do you suppose they will do with us?”
”Heaven alone knows, my lad,” responded the old tar. ”Bein' as how they ain't cannibals, I don't reckon they'll eat us up,” and he smiled grimly.
”They think we are spies.”
”Thet's so.”
”Do you know that they shoot spies--and do it in short order, too?”
”And why shouldn't I know it, Larry? I've heard tell on it often enough. But they have got to prove we air spies first, ain't they?”
”They'll do what they please. I believe half of these Filipinos think the Americans are nothing but cut-throats. They can't conceive that we should want to come here and govern them for their own good.”
”Because they would rather govern themselves, even if they made a mess of it, than be under anybody's thumb nail, Larry. Howsomever, thet ain't the p'int jest now. The p'int is, kin we git out o' here before they settle to do wuss with us?”
”Get out? You mean break jail?”
”Exactly. We don't want to stay here if we kin git out, do we?”
”To be sure not.” Larry leaped up from the bench upon which he had been resting and ran to the door. At this Luke smiled glumly and shook his head.
”Ye won't go it thet way, lad--the guard locked it, I seen him do it,--and the lock is a strong one, too.”
Luke was right, as a brief examination proved. Then the boy turned to the window, an affair less than a foot square, having over it several iron bars set firmly into the stones. ”No thoroughfare there,” was his comment.