Part 22 (2/2)
This was certainly news, and Ben waited impatiently for Gilbert to get back. As soon as the young Southerner returned, both asked the wounded soldier in what direction the captured major had been taken.
”They went through the cane-brake,” was the answer. ”You'll find the trail easily enough, I think, if you look for it. One of the rebs wore boots with high heels, so you can't miss 'em.”
The wounded man did his best to point out the right direction, and was then taken back to the hospital tent. Without delay Ben called Ralph Sorrel and half a dozen others to his aid.
”We must go after Major Morris, and at once,” he said. ”Are you ready to undertake the work? It may be a dangerous proceeding.”
”We're with yer, cap'n,” answered Sorrel, and his sentiment was that of all of the others.
The trail into the cane-brake was followed without much difficulty, and the party of eight advanced as rapidly as the nature of the ground permitted. The storm had cleared off the night before, and the sun shone down hotly, making the air in the brake suffocating.
”This yere is a putty big cane-brake, an' no error,” remarked Sorrel, after a quarter of a mile had been covered. ”Cap'n, it won't do fer us to turn ourselves about an' git lost.”
”We'll stick to the one trail,” answered Ben. ”As yet I've seen no side trails, although I've been watching every foot of the ground that we crossed.”
”Nor I, cap'n,--an' don't wan't to, neither,” added the tall mountaineer.
A little further on was a clearing, in the centre of which stood a small cane-house. Halting on the edge of the opening, they beheld several Filipinos on guard outside the house. In the doorway, with his back to the opening, stood Major Morris, his hands bound behind him.
CHAPTER XXIII
THE TORNADO IN THE CANE-BRAKE
”I reckon we have got 'em tight, cap'n,” came from Sorrel, as the party of Americans came to a halt and surveyed the scene before them.
”It depends upon how many of them there are,” answered Ben. ”Sorrel, supposing you skirt the clearing and try to count noses.”
The Tennesseean was willing, and started off, taking Gilbert with him.
He was gone probably ten minutes.
”Not more than ten at the most,” he reported. ”And of that number two are wounded and have their arms in slings.”
”Any other prisoners besides Major Morris?”
”Not that we could see,” came from Gilbert. ”We could rush them easily enough if it wasn't for the major,” he added.
”We don't want any harm to befall Major Morris,” said Ben, thoughtfully.
”If we-- The rebels have discovered us, look out!”
Ben had scarcely finished when a report rang out and a bullet whizzed over their heads. One of the soldiers outside of the cane-house had seen two of the Americans and had fired upon them.
The discharge of the firearm caused Major Morris to turn around, and as he did so Ben waved his cap at his commander, and was recognized.
Then two of the insurgents hurried the major out of sight.
The Americans were not slow to return the fire; and, although n.o.body was struck, the insurgents lost no time in disappearing from view. A lull followed, as both sides tried to determine what was best to be done next.
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