“It always takes me back home to hear the preachin’,” remarked Ralph Sorrel. “I’m mighty glad we have it. It shows we ain’t no heathens, even though we air livin’ a kind o’ hit-an’-miss life a-followin’ up these yere rebs.”
On Monday the scouts went out to the front, and a small brush was had with a number of the insurgents in the vicinity of San Miguel de Mayumo. They reported that the Filipinos had a number of 259 intrenchments placed across the roads, but seemed to be retreating toward San Isidro.
“If Aguinaldo makes a stand anywhere, it will be at San Isidro,” said Ben to Major Morris, as the two discussed the situation. “Oh, but I do wish we could have one big battle and finish this campaign!”
“How about the big battle going against us?” demanded the major, but with a twinkle in his eye.
“It would never go against us,” answered the young captain, promptly, “and the insurgents know it. That is why they keep their distance.”
The scouts had brought in a dozen or more prisoners, and among them were a Filipino and a Spaniard, both of whom could speak English 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 some of the American prisoners in charge.
“And do you know anything of my brother?” he asked eagerly. “He is a young sailor from the Olympia, and his name is Larry Russell.”
“Yes, yes, I know him,” answered the Filipino, nodding his head. “He was at the cave where they have kept some of the prisoners for a long time.” 260 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.”