As Luke wished to remain with Ben, the latter lost no time in presenting the matter to Colonel Darcy and to Major Morris, and Luke was taken into the regiment camp as a cook, for he had once 269 been a cook on a merchantman, years before. The position was largely 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 came to strike camp, and the march of the regiment was taken toward San Isidro by way of Baluarte, a small village seven miles to the southeast of the new rebel capital. In the meantime, although the Americans were not aware of it, Aguinaldo was preparing to decamp, with his so-called congress, into the mountain fastnesses, still further northward.
“We are in for another fight,” said Major Morris, as he came to Ben that afternoon. “And I’ve an idea it is going to be something 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 thunderstorm was at hand. The growth along the road was thick, and at certain points the overhanging branches had to be cut off that the troops might pass. The trail was bad, and often a gun, or wagon, had to stop so that a hole might be bridged 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 amigo, or friend.
“It’s pitiable,” said Ben to Major Morris, as they trudged along side by side. “I reckon some of these ignorant creatures have an idea that we have come to annihilate them.”
“You can be sure that Aguinaldo and his followers have taught them something 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 woman and her three small children, all watching the soldiers with eyes full of terror. Going up to the 271 woman, Ben spoke kindly to her, but she immediately fled into the dilapidated structure, dragging her trio of offspring after her.