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 UNDER DEWEY AT MANILA. UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES. 
 
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" Again the steed reareu and plunged." — Page 76. 
 

 ®t£ Glttfiea ^jertes 
 
 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 A Young Officer in the Tropics 
 
 
 EDWARD STRATEMEYER 
 
 AUTHOR OF "UNDER DEWEY AT MANILA" "A YOUNG VOLUNTEER 
 
 IN CUBA" "FIGHTING IN CUBAN WATERS" "RICHARD 
 
 DARE'S VENTURE" "OLIVER BRIGHT'S SEARCH" 
 
 " TO ALASKA FOR GOLD " ETC. 
 
 ILLUSTRATED BY 
 A. B. SHUTE 
 
 BOSTON : 
 LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO, 
 
Ooptxight, 1899, by Lee axd Shepakd. 
 
 All Bights Reserved. 
 
 Uwdbb Otis nr the Philippikm. 
 
 Nortnooti tytta* 
 
 J. 8. Cuihing fc Co. — Berwick * Smith 
 
 Norwood Mm. U.S.A. 
 
PREFACE 
 
 "Undeb Otis in the Philippines " is a com- 
 plete story in itself, but forms the fourth volume 
 of the " Old Glory Series," tales of life and adven- 
 ture in our army and navy of to-day. 
 
 All these stories relate, primarily, the haps and 
 mishaps that befall the three Russell brothers, 
 Larry, Ben, and Walter. In the first volume we 
 followed the fortunes of Larry while " Under Dewey 
 at Manila"; in the second we marched with Ben 
 as " A Young Volunteer in Cuba " ; and in the third 
 we witnessed what Walter could do while "Fight- 
 ing in Cuban Waters." 
 
 In the present tale the scene is shifted back to 
 Manila Bay and the island of Luzon. Larry has 
 returned to his old place on board Admiral Dewey's 
 flagship, Olympia, and Ben has reenlisted, and 
 become a second lieutenant of volunteers in our 
 army of occupation. For the sailor boy there is 
 little to do, but the soldier boy is kept busy, first 
 in helping to defend the intrenchments about the 
 
 iii 
 
iv PREFACE 
 
 city, and then in participating in the capture of 
 Caloocan, Malabon, Polo, and the rebel capital, 
 Malolos, as well as in aiding to quell the great 
 riot which broke out when the Tondo district of 
 Manila was burnt to the ground, — a fire entailing a 
 loss, according to General Otis's estimate, of half 
 a million dollars, not to mention the many lives 
 that were sacrificed. 
 
 In the penning of this tale the writer has aimed 
 to be as accurate, historically, as possible, and for 
 this purpose many reports have been examined, — 
 reports not only of those high in authority, but 
 also the accounts sent in by private parties who 
 were in good positions to witness what was occur- 
 ring. Many of the incidents of camp life are such 
 as have come from the lips of the returning volun- 
 teers themselves. 
 
 When the Series was begun it was hoped that 
 
 it would find a cordial reception among both critics 
 
 and the public in general. That hope has been 
 
 more than fulfilled, and the author now trusts that 
 
 the present volume will be as well received as those 
 
 which have gone before. 
 
 EDWARD STRATEMEYER. 
 Newark, N.J., 
 
 August 1, 1899. 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 CHAPTER PAGB 
 
 I. The Sailing of the Transport ... 1 
 
 II. Getting into Trouble 10 
 
 III. An Unreasonable Quartermaster . . 21 
 
 IV. Something about the Fall of Manila . 31 
 V. Struck in the Dark 41 
 
 VI. Jack Biddle speaks his Mind ... 50 
 
 VII. Gibraltar, and the Plot against Larry . 61 
 
 VIII. An Adventure on the Island of Malta . 73 
 
 IX. The Plot comes to a Head .... 83 
 
 X. Stranded among Strangers .... 92 
 
 XI. The Exposure of the Guilty Ones . . 102 
 
 XII. Through the Suez Canal to the Red Sea 112 
 
 XIII. A Hurricane on the Indian Ocean . . 123 
 
 XJV. The Philippine Islands and General Agui- 
 
 naldo 133 
 
 XV. In which Larry joins the olympia once 
 
 More 142 
 
 XVI. Life in the City of Manila . . . 151 
 
 XVH. An Uprising in the Streets . . , 160 
 
 v 
 
VI 
 
 CONTENTS 
 
 CHAPT1B 
 
 XVIH. 
 
 XIX. 
 
 XX. 
 
 XXI. 
 
 XXII. 
 XXIII. 
 XXIV. 
 
 XXV. 
 XXVI. 
 
 xxvn. 
 
 XXVHI. 
 
 XXIX. 
 
 XXX. 
 
 XXXI. 
 
 xxxn. 
 
 Something about Major-General Otis 
 
 and his Command 170 
 
 The Rebel Attack upon the City . .181 
 
 The Second Day of the Attack . . 191 
 
 The Taking of Cemetery Ridge . . 201 
 
 Ben goes on a Hunt for Gilbert . . 214 
 
 In a Filipino Encampment .... 224 
 
 Into the Jungle and Out .... 233 
 
 The Taking of Caloocan .... 244 
 
 A Strange Meeting in Manila . . 254 
 
 The Chase in the Dark .... 264 
 The Burning of the Tondo Quarter of 
 
 Manila 272 
 
 A Letter from Job Dowling . . . 282 
 
 Fighting at Polo and Novaliches . . 293 
 
 "On to Malolos!" 304 
 
 The Capture of the Rebel Capital — 
 
 Conclusion 318 
 
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 
 
 " Again the steed reared and plunged " . Frontispiect 
 
 PAGE 
 
 •"I'll show you who you are talking to'" . . 57 
 
 " * Do you men belong to Quartermaster Yarrow's 
 
 SQUAD?'" 101 
 
 "'Drop it, or I'll fire'" 161 
 
 " • He's a goner, lieutenant "' 205 
 
 "He and Gilbert raised the body between them" . 237 
 
 "in a moment the three americans were in a bunch " 279 
 
 " » Stand firm, boys ! ' he shouted " 297 
 
 vii 
 
UNDEE OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 CHAPTER I 
 
 THE SAILING OF THE TRANSPORT 
 
 " We are off at last ! Hurrah for Manila and 
 Uncle Sam's soldier boys ! " 
 
 "Yes, off at last, Ben, and I am not sorry. Life 
 on land doesn't suit me any more." 
 
 " That is because you are getting to be a regular 
 sea-dog, Larry. I suppose you are fairly aching 
 to be on board the Olympia once more with Luke 
 Striker and your other old friends." 
 
 "I'm aching to get back to the flagship to do 
 my duty as one of Uncle Sam's jackies, Ben, — just 
 as you are to get back to the ranks of the army. 
 Both of us have been idle long enough, with such 
 stirring times going on in the Philippines. I wish 
 we had been there when the city of Manila sur- 
 rendered." 
 
 1 
 
2 TJNDEB OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 "So do I. But a fellow can't be everywhere. 
 I wasn't mustered out of the Cuban service until 
 after that time. See, we are making a turn past 
 the wharf, and there are Walter and Uncle Job. 
 Good-by, Walter, good-by ! " And Ben Russell 
 raised his voice to its full extent, while his younger 
 brother Larry joined in with equal heartiness. 
 "Good-by, Uncle Job!" 
 
 " Good-by, boys ! " came back faintly, and a 
 waving of handkerchiefs followed. " Good luck 
 to you, and may you come back covered with 
 glory ! " 
 
 The cries and hurrahs were taken up on all 
 sides, for the noble steamship, but recently pressed 
 into service as a United States transport, was loaded 
 down with troops, infantry, and artillery, and all 
 along shore there was a jam of people who had 
 come to see them off on their long trip from Brook- 
 lyn to Manila, thousands of miles away. In the 
 midst of the uproar the military band belonging 
 to one of the regiments of volunteers struck up 
 the familiar air, " Auld Lang Syne," and scores of 
 voices took up the words of the song. 
 
 " This makes me feel as I did when the 71st left 
 Tampa for Cuba, " remarked Ben. " Only at that 
 
THE SAILING OF THE TRANSPORT 3 
 
 time I was among friends, and now I am among 
 strangers. " 
 
 " Gracious, Ben, you are not going to call me a 
 stranger, are you ? " queried some one at his elbow. 
 "Perhaps your shoulder straps have elevated you 
 above the old crowd." 
 
 " Gilbert Pennington ! " was the joyful rejoinder, 
 and a warm handshake followed. " And in uni- 
 form ! What does this mean ? " 
 
 " It means that I couldn't stay behind," was the 
 answer. "When I heard that you and Captain 
 Roberts and Stummer and the others had reen- 
 listed, I threw up that new position and went 
 down to the recruiting-office, and here I am, first 
 sergeant of Company B of our regiment, while you 
 are second lieutenant of Company D." 
 
 " Are any of the old crowd with you ? " 
 
 "Four, all told, — but there are at least fifty of 
 the Rough Riders in the Philippine service already, 
 so I'll feel more or less at home when I arrive in 
 Manila. I suppose this is your brother Larry who 
 sent those long letters to you while you were in 
 Cuba." 
 
 "Yes, I am Larry," came from the young tar. 
 " And you are Ben's old chum. We'll have to be 
 
4 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 chums too, after this — at least, until we land in the 
 Philippines. Then I suppose we'll have to separate, 
 — and each fight in his own way for all he knows 
 how ! " And with a laugh on both sides the pair 
 shook hands* 
 
 The Russell boys were three in number, — Ben 
 being the oldest, Walter next, and light-hearted 
 Larry the youngest. In the former volumes of this 
 series, entitled respectively, " Under Dewey at Ma- 
 nila," " A Young Volunteer in Cuba," and " Fight- 
 ing in Cuban Waters," I told how the youths had 
 been left, at the death of their mother, to the care 
 of their uncle, Job Dowling, a miserly man who 
 cared for little but to make money and save it. 
 Although the boys had a fine inheritance coming 
 to them, the treatment they received was so out- 
 rageous that they all ran away from home, Larry 
 being taken against his will on a freight car to 
 Oakland, California, just across the bay from San 
 Francisco ; Ben working his way to New York ; and 
 Walter drifting to Boston. 
 
 At San Francisco Larry shipped for a trip on 
 the Pacific Ocean, and after numerous adventures 
 was cast away with a friend of his, Luke Striker, 
 and picked up by the Asiatic Squadron, under Com- 
 
THE SAILING OF THE TRANSPORT 5 
 
 modore (afterwards Admiral) Dewey, just in time 
 to participate in the stirring battle of Manila 
 Bay. 
 
 At this time the war fever was at its height, and, 
 thrown out of the position he had obtained because 
 of a fire, Ben enlisted in the 71st Regiment of 
 New York, went to Cuba with our army of inva- 
 sion, and fought nobly throughout the campaign 
 leading to the surrender of Santiago. During the 
 never-to-be-forgotten battle of San Juan Hill, the 
 young volunteer did a great service for a certain 
 Major Starwell of the Regulars, and for this he 
 was promoted to the rank of second lieutenant, a 
 rank which was still allowed to him upon reenlist- 
 ing for service in the far East. 
 
 At Boston, Walter Russell had enlisted in the 
 navy and been assigned to the Brooklyn, Commo- 
 dore Schley's flagship. How the Spanish fleet in 
 Cuban waters was destroyed, and what part the 
 stanch Brooklyn took in the contest, are now 
 matters of history. That Walter was not back- 
 ward in doing his whole duty during these lively 
 times my old readers already know. 
 
 The running away of the three youths had 
 angered Job Dowling greatly, and he had started 
 
D UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 out from his home in Buffalo to " bring 'em back 
 and teach 'em the lesson they needed." Larry 
 was out of his reach, so his first move was after 
 Ben, who, as he managed to learn, was in New 
 York. On this trip to the metropolis the old man 
 took with him some heirlooms belonging to the 
 Russell family, intending to sell them if he could 
 get a fair price. He knew that the valuables ought 
 not to be sold, they having been left to his wards 
 as keepsakes, but to his narrow mind to treasure 
 the articles was sheer foolishness, " when the money 
 from 'em might be in the bank a-drawin' four or 
 five per cent interest along with the rest o' their 
 fortune," as he argued. 
 
 But for once Job Dowling had overreached him- 
 self. Instead of selling the heirlooms they were 
 stolen from him, and this getting to Ben's ears, 
 ward and guardian had a warm, wordy quarrel, 
 in which Job Dowling came out second best. So 
 afraid of being prosecuted was the old man that 
 he consented without a murmur to Ben's enlisting 
 in the army and, later on, he also allowed Walter 
 to join the navy. The recovery of the heirlooms 
 by a professional detective was a long and ex- 
 pensive task, and when he received them Job 
 
THE SAILING OF THE TRANSPORT 7 
 
 Dowling was a wiser if not a sadder man. "I 
 reckon as how I don't know it all," he murmured 
 to himself. " Perhaps I had better let them boys 
 take care on themselves for awhile." And this he 
 did, with excellent results. When the war with 
 Spain was over, and all the boys came home on a 
 brief visit, it was found that the guardian had 
 actually turned over a new leaf, and the reunion, 
 about which each had been so doubtful, turned 
 out to be a most happy one. 
 
 As Walter was home only on shore leave it was 
 not long before he had to return to his ship. 
 The time of Larry and Ben, however, was now 
 their own, and they remained around Buffalo for 
 several months, Larry spending most of the days 
 on Lake Erie, a sheet of water with which he 
 was thoroughly familiar. In the meantime each 
 watched the newspapers eagerly for news from 
 the Philippines, and when it became almost cer- 
 tain that there would be fighting between the 
 United States troops and the insurgents under 
 General Aguinaldo, Larry immediately announced 
 his intention of rejoining Admiral Dewey's squad- 
 ron, while Ben lost no time in reenlisting as pre- 
 viously mentioned. In Ben's company were Carl 
 
8 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 Stummer, a German, and Dan Casey, a young Irish- 
 man, both of whom had served with the young 
 volunteer in Cuba. Gilbert Pennington was a 
 young Southerner who had worked with Ben in 
 New York, and who at the outbreak of the Span- 
 ish-American War had joined Roosevelt's Rough 
 Riders. Their adventures together in Cuba had 
 made them almost brothers. 
 
 Many of the transports carrying troops to the 
 Philippines had sailed by way of the Pacific Ocean, 
 but the one to carry Ben and Larry was to sail 
 by way of the Atlantic, Mediterranean Sea, Suez 
 Canal, Red Sea, and the Indian Ocean, so the 
 youths had quite a novel trip before them. It was 
 decided that Job Dowling should come to New 
 York to see them off, and Walter sent word that 
 he would also try to get another leave and be on 
 hand to wish them luck. 
 
 Two days before the departure from home came 
 news which was as dismaying as it was unex- 
 pected. A small bank, known as the Hearthstone 
 Savings Institution, had failed, and the cashier, 
 Braxton Bogg, was missing. A speedy investiga- 
 tion of accounts revealed the fact that the bank's 
 funds were one hundred and forty thousand dollars 
 
THE SAILING OF THE TRANSPORT 9 
 
 short, and what had become of the money and the 
 cashier nobody could tell. 
 
 Of the inheritance coming to the three Russell 
 boys more than three-quarters had been invested 
 in this bank by Job Dowling, " because they prom- 
 ised sech high interest," as he explained. All the 
 former miser's cash had been put in the same 
 place, so that he was left almost penniless so far 
 as ready money was concerned, and was compelled 
 to place a mortgage on his house in order to make 
 both ends meet. This, as my readers can well 
 imagine, nearly broke his heart. 
 
 " We're out three-quarters of our fortune, that's 
 sure," had been Ben's sober comment. " I wish I 
 could lay hands on that Braxton Bogg. I know 
 him, and I'd make him square up, or know the 
 reason why." Little did he dream, however, under 
 what strange conditions he and the absconding 
 cashier were to meet. 
 
CHAPTER II 
 
 GETTING INTO TROUBLE 
 
 Ben and Larry had arrived on the transport 
 but a short while before sailing, so the big ship 
 was a stranger to them. Yet, eager as they were 
 to inspect the various quarters, they remained on 
 the upper deck until New York harbor was left 
 behind and the Statue of Liberty became a mere 
 speck in the distance. As an officer, Ben was 
 allowed to move about in many places which 
 were prohibited to the ordinary soldiers, and 
 he took his brother and his chum Gilbert with 
 him. 
 
 "I reckon it will be some time before we see 
 the States again," remarked Gilbert. " Perhaps 
 we'll never see them again — if we are shot down," 
 he added reflectively. 
 
 " Oh, don't grow too serious," returned Ben. 
 "Remember, we came out of the Cuban campaign 
 without severe injury, and there we had the trained 
 
 10 
 
GETTING INTO TROUBLE 11 
 
 soldiers of Spain to fight against. In the Philippines 
 the half-civilized natives — " 
 
 " Will put up as good a fight as any of the Span- 
 iards did," finished the young Southerner. "Don't 
 deceive yourself into believing that because the 
 Filipinos are not Americans or Europeans that 
 they don't know how to shoot." 
 
 "To be sure they know how to shoot — they 
 have proved that in their battles with the Span- 
 iards," said Larry. " There are hot times ahead — 
 unless we grant Aguinaldo and his followers their 
 independence — but no matter how hot the times, 
 I'm certain we'll come out on top." 
 
 " I don't see how we can grant the Filipinos their 
 independence just now, Larry," answered his 
 brother. "They have no actual form of govern- 
 ment, since Spain has stepped down and out, and 
 it would be foolish to let General Aguinaldo set 
 up a dictatorship. The only thing to do is to 
 let them come under the protection of our country 
 and then give them their liberty when they are 
 educated up to the point of caring for themselves." 
 
 " But the Filipinos are educated ; that is, those 
 who live in such cities as Manila and Ilo Ilo are. 
 I know that from what I heard aboard the 
 
12 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 Olympia and in Hong Kong. Some of the officers 
 said they thought the Filipinos were more capable 
 of governing themselves than the Cubans are." 
 
 " Well, it may be true — I have never met any 
 of them. But I don't believe in letting Aguinaldo 
 have his own way." 
 
 " Oh, no ! neither do I, for I am sure he will 
 ride right over the ignorant people of the inte- 
 rior of Luzon, and of the smaller islands. We 
 have got to take hold somehow, but just how 
 must be settled by a wiser head than mine," and 
 Larry smiled broadly. Then he added slyly : " I'm 
 no politician, I'm only one of Uncle Sam's jack tars." 
 
 " And I am only one of his soldier boys," added 
 Ben. " We had better leave these big questions 
 of statesmanship alone and do our duty as we find 
 it. Phew ! but I'm getting cold ! " and the young 
 lieutenant gave a shiver as a strong blast of wind 
 sent his cape coat flying about his ears. "Per- 
 haps we had better go below." 
 
 " Come on by all means," came from Gilbert. 
 " This November air cuts my Southern skin like 
 a razor. I'm glad we are bound for the tropics. 
 I can stand the heat a good deal better than the 
 cold." 
 
GETTING INTO TROUBLE 13 
 
 "Perhaps you won't think so when you strike 
 Manila Bay," was Larry's comment. "You may 
 have had it hot in Cuba, but just wait until you see 
 what we'll treat you to out there. Why, one 
 day the thermometer got so high it broke the top 
 of the gla— " 
 
 " Stow it, Larry ; none of your sailors' yarns so 
 early on the trip," interrupted his brother. "Come 
 on and see if our extra baggage is safe," and he 
 followed Gilbert to the lower, or berth, deck. 
 
 The transport had once belonged to one of the 
 Atlantic lines of coastwise steamers. She was 
 of seven thousand tons' burden and her general 
 fittings were first class in every particular. But 
 below the upper deck what had once been a luxu- 
 rious cabin and after cabin had been completely 
 torn away and in their places were long lines of 
 iron rods, — "gaspipes," the soldiers termed them, 
 — to which were attached beds made of oblong bits 
 of canvas hauled taut at the top and bottom and 
 sides. The rods ran from floor to ceiling, and the 
 beds were placed one above another, three and four 
 high, and in long rows with narrow gangways 
 between. At one end was an open space, where 
 the troops occupying these quarters could lounge 
 
14 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 around and take their meals. Tables there were 
 none, the space being too limited to admit of 
 them. 
 
 " We haven't the finest quarters in the world," 
 remarked Gilbert, as he sought out a quiet corner 
 and sat down. " But we are better off than that 
 battery in the steerage." He turned to Larry. 
 " Where are you to bunk ? " 
 
 "I don't know yet. With the rest of the men 
 for the navy, I presume. I understand that there 
 are about forty jackies on board, along with a 
 certain Quartermaster Yarrow, who is to take us 
 in charge. Here is our baggage, Ben, so we are 
 safe on that score." 
 
 "And here is my bunk," replied Ben, as he 
 pointed to one at the head of a row. " I am 
 sorry you cannot remain with me, Larry. As 
 there is nothing else to do, let us find out where 
 you are to be placed. If you have to go into the 
 steerage — " 
 
 Ben broke off short, as a burly naval officer 
 loomed up behind him and his brother. The 
 next instant the newcomer had Larry by the shoul- 
 der and was shoving him roughly toward the 
 cabin stairs. 
 
GETTING INTO TKOUBLB 15 
 
 "You get to your quarters, and be quick about 
 it," came in harsh tones. "If I catch you down 
 here again, I'll put you in the brig." 
 
 " What do you mean — " began Larry, indig- 
 nantly, and then, as he saw that the newcomer was 
 a quartermaster in the navy, he broke off short. 
 " Is this Quartermaster Yarrow ? " he questioned. 
 
 " Yes, I'm the quartermaster, and I want you to 
 get out of here and stay in your own quarters. 
 The soldiers won't want you nosing around here." 
 
 " Excuse me, but I brought my brother down 
 here," put in Ben, and saluted, at which the burly 
 one did the same, but with very bad grace. "We 
 just came aboard, and he doesn't know where he 
 belongs." 
 
 "I'll show him mighty quick, then, lieutenant. 
 These jackies I have here are worse than a lot of 
 bulls in a ten-acre lot — running everywhere. They 
 think that on a transport they can do as they please. 
 But they can't — and I'll soon prove it to 'em ! " 
 And Quartermaster Yarrow pursed up his lips 
 tightly. He was one of that class of seafaring 
 men who believe in bullying upon all occasions. 
 
 Larry listened to the words, and his face flushed 
 hotly. On board the Olympia he had been treated 
 
16 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 with uniform fairness, and the present experience 
 was, consequently, new to him. 
 
 " I'm sure I haven't been doing any harm down 
 here, quartermaster," he said, as calmly as he could. 
 
 " We wanted him," put in Gilbert. " He's more 
 than welcome to stay." 
 
 " Never mind if he is welcome," was the surly 
 response. "He goes to his quarters, and at once." 
 And the overbearing petty officer gave Larry an- 
 other shove in the direction of the stairs. 
 
 Before he had stopped to think twice, Ben had 
 caught Yarrow by the arm. " See here, you treat 
 my brother decently ! " he ejaculated. " Don't 
 think because you are in temporary command that 
 you must play the part of a brute." 
 
 " What ! do you dare to interfere with me ? " 
 burst from the naval quartermaster. " Why, I'll 
 — I'll — " 
 
 "I'm not interfering with you, sir. I simply 
 ask you to treat my brother fairly. It is my fault, 
 not his, that he is down here." 
 
 "And my fault, too," added Gilbert. "If you 
 think there has been any wrong done, quartermas- 
 ter, you had better report us to our colonel." 
 
 The latter was said so dryly that the petty 
 
GETTING INTO TROUBLE 17 
 
 naval officer felt certain that Gilbert was poking 
 fun at him, and his face grew more sour than ever. 
 " Get along with you ! " he cried to Larry, and 
 followed the youth to the stairs. " I'll get even 
 with you some other time ! " he continued, glan- 
 cing back at Ben and Gilbert. 
 
 The incident had been watched by fully a score 
 of soldiers standing around. " Sure an' he has 
 the swelled head, so he has ! " murmured Dan 
 Casey. " Take that fer luck ! " And without be- 
 ing noticed by any one he threw the remainder of 
 a half-sucked orange at the retreating form. 
 
 The bit of fruit caught the quartermaster in the 
 back of the neck; and as he leaned forward in 
 mounting the steps, it slipped several inches below 
 the collar line, inside. Clapping his hand to the 
 spot, he dug at the fruit, and at last succeeded in 
 drawing it forth, but not before what juice it had 
 contained had been squeezed out of it. 
 
 " How's that fer a shot, b'ys ? " called Casey. 
 And then he suddenly stopped short, and lost no 
 time in shifting his position in the crowd. 
 
 " Who threw that at me ? " demanded the naval 
 officer, in a rage. " Did you do it ? " he continued, 
 striding up to Ben. 
 
18 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 "I did not." 
 
 "Then it was you," went on Yarrow, turning 
 to Gilbert. 
 
 "No." And Gilbert shook his head slowly, but 
 with a smile on his round face which irritated the 
 petty officer more than ever. 
 
 "I say it was you!" howled Yarrow. "You 
 needn't tell falsehoods just because you are too 
 cowardly to own up." 
 
 Scarcely had the words left his lips when Gil- 
 bert leaped to his feet, his hot Southern blood 
 boiling within him. " You'll take that back ! " he 
 cried, in a suppressed voice. "I'm not to be in- 
 sulted by the like of such a bully as you." 
 
 " I'll take nothing back. You threw that, and 
 you are too much of a sneak to own up. If 
 you — oh ! " 
 
 Quartermaster Yarrow's tirade came to a sudden 
 termination as Gilbert leaped upon him. There 
 was one swift, telling blow, and the petty naval 
 officer measured his length at the foot of the cabin 
 stairs. 
 
 " Good for Sergeant Pennington ! " came from 
 one of the soldiers standing by. 
 
 " Give him another wan, sergeant," put in 
 
GETTING INTO TROUBLE 19 
 
 Dan Casey. "He needs to be taken down a 
 peg." 
 
 "Dot fellow vos too fresh alretty," spoke up 
 Carl Stummer. "Maype ve drow him oferpoard 
 in der salt vater, hey? Dot's der vay to cure 
 him." 
 
 At this last sally a laugh went up, in the midst 
 of which Quartermaster Yarrow arose, his face as 
 red as a beet. He started to rush at Gilbert, but 
 Ben and several others stepped in between. 
 
 " There must be no fighting here ! " It was the 
 voice of Captain Larchmore, of Ben's company. 
 The captain had just come up from the opposite 
 end of the birth deck. " The first man to strike 
 a blow goes to the lock-up." 
 
 " He knocked me down," fumed Yarrow. 
 
 "And he insulted me," put in Gilbert. "I'll 
 not take an insult from anybody." 
 
 "He has no right here, has he, captain?" came 
 from one of the soldiers. "I thought this deck 
 was for our boys only." 
 
 " I came down for one of my jackies," growled 
 Quartermaster Yarrow. "There he is at the top 
 of the stairs," pointing to Larry. He looked at 
 Captain Larchmore and then at the angry crowd 
 
20 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 around him. "You soldiers think you are going 
 to run the whole boat, but you are not. Just wait 
 until I've seen to my men, and then you'll hear 
 from me again." And with a savage shake of his 
 hand at Gilbert and Ben he ran up the cabin stairs, 
 pushing Larry before him, and disappeared. 
 
CHAPTER III 
 
 AN" UNREASONABLE QUARTERMASTER 
 
 "I'm afraid we've made a mess of it," remarked 
 Ben, when the excitement was over and the pass- 
 ing of a large ocean steamer had drawn most of 
 the soldiers away from the scene of the encounter. 
 
 " I reckon I've made a mess of it," returned 
 Gilbert, gloomily. " But I couldn't stand an insult 
 from such a bully, especially after he had acted so 
 unfairly toward your brother. I wonder what he'll 
 do — report me ? " 
 
 " It's more than likely, Gilbert ; and if he does, 
 I'm afraid you'll be good for two or three days in 
 the brig — or else lose half a month's pay." 
 
 " Well, if he makes a charge, I'll make a counter- 
 charge — that's certain. I hope what passed here 
 won't affect your brother. It's a pity he's got to 
 obey the orders of such a brute." 
 
 "Larry won't stand much — he's too quick tem- 
 pered," returned Ben. " But I must attend to 
 
 21 
 
22 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 duty now," he concluded, as lie noticed Captain 
 Larchmore beckoning to him ; and the two friends 
 separated. 
 
 In the meantime Larry had reached his place 
 among the other jackies on the transport. He 
 found them a whole-souled, jolly crowd, quite in 
 contrast to the petty officer who commanded them. 
 Before, however, he could introduce himself, Quar- 
 termaster Yarrow called him to one side and 
 checked off his name in a book he carried for 
 that purpose. 
 
 " That second lieutenant of Company D was your 
 brother ? " he asked. 
 "Yes, sir." 
 
 " Who was the other fellow ? " 
 " Sergeant Pennington, of Company B." 
 "He shall suffer for the way he has treated me." 
 At this Larry was going to make some hasty 
 reply regarding the quartermaster's position in the 
 unfortunate affair, but checked himself. 
 
 " His assault upon me was entirely uncalled for," 
 went on the petty officer. 
 
 " Perhaps he didn't like the manner in which you 
 spoke to him," suggested the young tar, meekly. 
 For the sake of his brother's chum he was resolved 
 
AN UNSEASONABLE QUARTERMASTER 23 
 
 to smooth matters over if such a thing could be 
 accomplished. 
 
 " He threw that half -rotten orange at me." 
 
 "Excuse me, quartermaster, but I think you are 
 mistaken. I saw the piece of fruit come sailing 
 over his shoulder." 
 
 "Of course you'll stick up for him, Russell, — 
 it's natural you should. But I know he threw it. 
 I shall make it warm for him. As for yourself, 
 get to your place over in that corner yonder and 
 don't let me hear of your leaving it for the rest 
 of the day," and with this command, Quarter- 
 master Yarrow stalked off, in as bad a humor as 
 ever. 
 
 " Oh, he's a piece of work," was the comment of 
 one of the old tars, Jack Biddle by name, after 
 Larry had related the particulars of what had 
 occurred. "And the worst of it is that he's no 
 fighter at all — never was in a battle to my 
 knowledge." 
 
 " Doesn't he belong to Dewey's squadron ? " asked 
 the youth, in astonishment. 
 
 " He does now — to one of the new war-vessels — 
 one of the craft we took from Spain. But he used to 
 serve on one of the Pacific coast vessels, and then he 
 
24 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 came over to the Brooklyn Navy Yard. He's half 
 landlubber, he is ! " And Jack Biddle tossed up 
 his wrinkled and sunburned face in disgust. Biddle 
 himself had seen service in the navy for twenty odd 
 years and had been aboard the Texas during the 
 memorable fight with Cervera's fleet off Santiago 
 Bay. 
 
 " I don't want a row with anybody," went on 
 Larry; " I guess we'll get fighting enough when we 
 reach Manila." 
 
 " No such fighting as we had at Santiago, lad, or 
 as Dewey had against Montojo. The insurgents 
 haven't the ships." 
 
 "That may be true. But what if some foreign 
 power steps in to help the rebels ? " 
 
 " They won't dare — not after seeing how we 
 treated Spain. But I suppose we'll have lots of 
 work along shore, shelling some towns and the 
 like," concluded Jack Biddle. 
 
 As it was a raw day, it was no hardship for Larry 
 to stay below, and he spent the remainder of the 
 afternoon in stowing away his baggage and in be- 
 coming better acquainted with those who were to be 
 his companions on the long voyage to the China 
 Sea. Of the crowd, six were bound for the Olympic 
 
AN UNREASONABLE QUARTERMASTER 25 
 
 and as soon as these found he had served on that 
 cruiser, they lost no time in plying him with ques- 
 tions regarding the vessel and what they might 
 expect on going aboard. 
 
 "I missed the Santiago fight," said one, in deep 
 disgust. " I was on the New York, Rear-Admiral 
 Sampson's flagship, and the day Cervera came out 
 to fight, our vessel sailed up the coast so that the 
 admiral might confer with General Shafter of the 
 army. I'd a give three months' pay to have been in 
 the mix-up." And the tar sighed deeply. 
 
 "Yes, it was too bad the New York was not on 
 the scene after Sampson had done so much to make 
 the blockading of Cervera successful," answered 
 Larry. " But such are the fortunes of war. I hope 
 if we have a fight in the Philippines, you get in it," 
 he added with a smile. 
 
 Quartermaster Yarrow had gone on deck, and he 
 did not reappear until the last mess for the day had 
 been served out and the transport was rolling 
 heavily in the swells of the Atlantic Ocean, many 
 miles eastward from Sandy Hook. The youth won- 
 dered if a charge had been made against Gilbert, 
 but did not deem it prudent to ask any questions. 
 
 The supper was a good one, for the transport had 
 
26 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 taken on a large stock of fresh meats and vegetables 
 at Brooklyn. "You want to eat all yon can," was 
 Jack Biddle's comment. "It won't be long before 
 they begin to serve us salt horse." 
 
 " I wonder if we'll not make some stops along the 
 route ? " said Larry. " They could stop at a number 
 of places along the Mediterranean or Red Sea if 
 they wanted to." 
 
 "You mean if the foreign powers would let us 
 stop," put in Mark Olney, a Jackie of Larry's age. 
 " Some of them are mighty jealous of letting some 
 other power land on their territory." 
 
 " Spain won't let us land, you can rest assured of 
 that," replied Larry. " She would rather sink the 
 transport in the middle of the Mediterranean." 
 
 As all hands were seated on either ditty boxes or 
 the deck, the meal had very much the appearance of 
 a party at a picnic, and it was no easy matter to 
 dispose of the food without spilling a portion. Yet, 
 in spite of the inconvenience, the best of good 
 spirits prevailed. 
 
 " Here comes the quartermaster now," whispered 
 Mark Olney, presently. " Hello, what's the matter 
 with him ? " 
 
 "What's the matter with him?" burst out Jack 
 
AN UNREASONABLE QUARTERMASTER 27 
 
 Biddle. " He's seasick, that's what's the matter. 
 Told you he was a landlubber," he added, with 
 increased disgust. 
 
 The old sailor was right. Quartermaster Yarrow 
 was feeling the effects of the ship's rollings. He 
 was deadly pale, and his face twitched constantly 
 in a most suspicious manner. Suddenly he clapped 
 his handkerchief to his mouth and ran with all 
 speed for the upper deck. 
 
 " He has gone to feed the fishes ! " cried Mark 
 Olney. " I can't understand what they wanted to 
 put him in charge of this crowd for." The quarter- 
 master did not reappear until most of the sailors had 
 retired for the night, and then he crept into his 
 private apartment much crestfallen and without a 
 word to any one. 
 
 The transport had left the United States on the 
 Saturday following Thanksgiving Day, and it was 
 expected that with a fairly prosperous voyage Ma- 
 nila Bay would be reached late in January or by the 
 first week in February, making a trip of two months 
 or thereabouts, — a long time to those who were 
 impatient to get to the scene of active operations. 
 All told, the ship carried 1645 souls, the major- 
 ity of whom belonged to the regiment of soldiers 
 
28 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 and the artillery already mentioned. There were 
 likewise a signal corps, a hospital corps, and over 
 a score of women, — officers' wives and Red Cross 
 nurses. 
 
 If the quartermaster was sick, the tossing and 
 pitching of the transport did not disturb Larry, and 
 after a sound sleep he arose at five o'clock, made his 
 toilet, and proceeded to the upper deck. He had 
 scarcely appeared when Ben joined him. 
 
 " I thought you would be up," was the elder 
 brother's greeting. " How did you make out after 
 we parted? " 
 
 Larry told him. "The quartermaster is still out 
 of sight," he continued. " I don't know what he 
 will say when he appears. Did he make a charge 
 against Gilbert ? " 
 
 " No. He started to, but the whole thing fell to 
 pieces. He declared up and down that Gilbert had 
 hit him with the orange and the colonel was going 
 to put the sergeant under arrest, when Dan Casey 
 spoke up and said he was the guilty one. Then 
 Yarrow got mad, and finally the colonel said he had 
 better drop the matter, and the bully went off as 
 mad as a hornet — " 
 
 " And got seasick," finished Larry, laughing. 
 
AN UNREASONABLE QUARTERMASTER 29 
 
 "It served him right. I hope the lesson does 
 him good." 
 
 " The trouble is, some men never learn a lesson, 
 Larry. See how hard it was for us to get Uncle 
 Job to do what was fair and square." 
 
 " But he came around all right at last, Ben, — 
 that is, in a general way. I don't think he had 
 any right to put more than half of our money in 
 that bursted Hearthstone Savings Institution. He 
 was too greedy for interest." 
 
 " That is true ; but still he wanted the interest 
 for us, not for himself. We must give him credit 
 for that. As miserly as he has been, I would 
 rather trust Uncle Job than such a bully as 
 Quartermaster Yarrow." 
 
 " Oh, so would I. But, Ben, if Uncle Job isn't 
 careful, he will lose every cent of what is coming 
 to us." 
 
 " I gave him a good talking to before we 
 parted, and I guess he will be careful enough 
 after this. I only hope the authorities catch that 
 missing cashier and get back what he has taken." 
 
 "More than likely the money has been squandered 
 in speculation. If that is so, arresting him won't 
 do us or any of the depositors much good. But 
 
30 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 I had better be getting to my quarters again, or 
 Quartermaster Yarrow will be up in arms as lie 
 was before," and Larry walked away, leaving Ben 
 to rejoin the soldiers of his company. 
 
 The conversation had taken place close to the 
 upper cabin, where a slight turn hid the rest of 
 the deck from view. As Larry and Ben dis- 
 appeared there was a stir in a near-by corner, and 
 Quartermaster Yarrow arose from a reclining chair 
 in which he had been trying to take it easy, after 
 finding it unbearable in his apartment below, be- 
 cause of a dizziness in the head. 
 
 " Calls me a bully, eh ? " he muttered. " Wouldn't 
 trust me ? " He pulled savagely at his sandy mus- 
 tache. " All right, my lad, I'll remember you, and 
 you'll have good cause to remember me, too, be- 
 fore we get to Manila ! I never yet had any use 
 for fellows in the navy who had money coming 
 to them. They are always too high-strung for 
 their own good. A taking down is just what 
 they need, — and this one will get it sure 1 " 
 
CHAPTER IV 
 
 SOMETHING ABOUT THE FALL OP MANILA 
 
 Nearly seven months had elapsed since Com- 
 modore Dewey had sailed into Manila Bay with 
 his warships and utterly destroyed the Spanish 
 fleet lying off Cavite. During that time our army 
 and navy had been equally victorious in and 
 around Cuba and Porto Rico, and the war with 
 Spain had been brought to a speedy termination. 
 
 Affairs in the Philippines had been, and still 
 were, in a most unsettled state, and when Larry 
 and Ben rejoined the twin branches of Uncle 
 Sam's service it looked as if a long and bitter con- 
 test with the insurgents in the island of Luzon, 
 the largest of the Philippines, was inevitable. 
 That the outlook did not belie itself, coming 
 events speedily proved. 
 
 Commodore Dewey had had an ample supply of 
 warships with which to meet and defeat Admiral 
 Montojo, and thus place the important city of 
 
 81 
 
32 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 Manila, the Philippine capital, at his mercy. But 
 with a force of less than seventeen hundred men 
 it was absurd to think of taking the city and 
 holding it, much less to think of holding the 
 islands in general. This could only be accom- 
 plished by having the army cooperate with the 
 navy, and it was estimated that between twenty 
 thousand and thirty thousand men would be needed 
 for the service. 
 
 At the outbreak of the war, hardly a thought 
 had been given to Spain's Eastern possessions, 
 and no one had dreamed that our soldiers would 
 be needed for such distant service, consequently 
 to organize a Philippine army of invasion was no 
 light task. Yet the various states of our Union, 
 especially those of the West, responded nobly, 
 and on the 25th of May, 1898, the first expedition, 
 under the immediate command of General Thomas 
 M. Anderson, sailed from San Francisco, carrying 
 nearly three regiments of infantry and a detach- 
 ment of artillery. A second expedition soon fol- 
 lowed, commanded by Brigadier-General F. V. 
 Greene, — Ben's old commander of the 71st, — and 
 then came several other expeditions, including one 
 carrying Major-General Wesley Merritt, who had 
 
SOMETHING ABOUT THE FALL OF MANILA 33 
 
 been put in command of this Department of the 
 Pacific, as it was termed. This expedition also 
 carried the Astor Battery, a New York volunteer 
 organization, equipped by the millionnaire whose 
 name it bore. 
 
 On arriving off Manila the army of invasion 
 found all quiet, but in a state of suppressed ex- 
 citement. Admiral Dewey's ships rode the har- 
 bor unmolested, the Spanish officials not daring 
 to attack him for fear he would shell the city 
 and destroy it. The enemy had abandoned the 
 fort and other buildings at Cavite, eight miles 
 below the city, and these were in possession of 
 the American marines. Lying in a semicircle on 
 the land side of Manila lay the army of the Fili- 
 pino rebels, a straggling, disorganized body of men, 
 numbering from ten thousand to fifteen thousand, 
 who had been waging a sort of guerilla warfare 
 against their Spanish masters for several years. 
 The majority were armed with old-fashioned rifles, 
 but there were others from the interior called 
 Igorrotes who carried nothing but spears and 
 war-clubs. These latter natives were very ignorant, 
 and willing to do anything that their educated 
 and wily leaders wanted of them. 
 
34 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 The situation at this time was a particularly 
 delicate one. At first the insurgent leaders had 
 professed their willingness to help the Americans 
 all in their power to conquer the Spaniards and 
 drive them out of Manila. But as the days 
 went by and it became evident that the United 
 States intended to obtain control of the islands, 
 they began to protest, and finally set up a gov- 
 ernment of their own, the Philippine Republic, 
 with General Aguinaldo as their president, and 
 with headquarters at Bacoor. In the forming of 
 this republic it is doubtful if the natives at large 
 had much to say in the matter, the leaders con- 
 ducting affairs to suit themselves. 
 
 On the first day of August, General Merritt 
 found himself in the vicinity of Manila, with an 
 army numbering nearly eleven thousand men. 
 Some had landed at Cavite and other places in 
 the vicinity, and soon all were in a position to 
 threaten Manila on the south and east, having, by 
 diplomacy, induced the insurgents to move north- 
 ward. This movement brought on a small fight 
 with the Spaniards stationed in the trenches out- 
 side of the city, but although a great many shots 
 were fired, little damage was done. 
 
SOMETHING ABOUT THE FALL OF MANILA 35 
 
 All was now ready for a general attack by our 
 army and navy, and on August 9, General Merritt 
 and Admiral Dewey united in a demand for the 
 surrender of Manila and of all the Spanish troops 
 stationed there. To this the governor-general 
 demurred, asking for permission to consult his 
 home government first. This was refused, and 
 four days later, early in the morning, an attack 
 was begun on the Spanish intrenchments, by the 
 warships in the harbor, and this was followed up 
 by the land forces with such vigor that in a few 
 hours the enemy began to fly flags of truce. 
 The firing then ceased, and before night the city 
 was turned over to General Merritt, and the 
 American flag was hoisted to replace the fallen 
 banner of Castile. 
 
 The insurgents had taken but small interest in 
 the battle, but now that it was over they were 
 fairly wild to get into the city, the more ignorant 
 of them believing that all would be turned over 
 to them for looting and plunder. But such an 
 emergency had already been provided for, and the 
 American troops were at once stationed in the 
 trenches formerly occupied by the Spaniards, to 
 keep the would-be invaders out, while a patrol 
 
36 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 was established throughout every district of Ma- 
 nila to prevent a local uprising of rebel sympa- 
 thizers. 
 
 The action of the Americans angered the insur- 
 gents greatly, and as soon as peace was assured 
 between Spain and the United States, they sent 
 representatives to Washington, asking that the 
 Philippine Republic be recognized, and that our 
 army be withdrawn from the islands. They would 
 undoubtedly have attacked our forces without 
 delay, but saw that they were not properly equipped 
 to do so. Our government was not willing to 
 relinquish the territory taken from Spain, and the 
 most that could be done for the Filipinos was to 
 promise them liberal civil rights if they would 
 submit to our authority — in plain words, to let 
 them run matters to suit themselves, under the 
 guiding hand of Uncle Sam. 
 
 But this did not satisfy General Aguinaldo, who, 
 instead of being a president, was really a dictator. 
 He pleaded that his countrymen should be free 
 and independent, that they wanted nothing more 
 and would accept nothing less ; and at the same 
 time he sent his aides in secret all over the island 
 of Luzon, and elsewhere, to gather recruits for his 
 
SOMETHING ABOUT THE FALL OF MANILA 37 
 
 army, which now encircled Manila from the water's 
 edge on the north, eastward and southward to 
 where the Americans still held the ground at 
 Cavite. 
 
 This was the situation when Ben reenlisted and 
 Larry determined to rejoin Dewey's squadron. 
 In the meantime the naval and army authorities 
 were not idle, and several additional warships and 
 a number of transports filled with infantry and 
 artillery were hurried to Manila Bay. Under no 
 pretext whatever was Uncle Sam to be caught 
 napping. The Filipinos must be made to recog- 
 nize United States authority, and if they insisted 
 upon fighting they were to be given their fill of 
 it. Once law and order was restored, all possible 
 benefits of civilization were to be extended to the 
 inhabitants of the archipelago. That they needed 
 the experienced hand of some advanced govern- 
 ment in settling their internal affairs there could 
 be no doubt. 
 
 When Larry returned to the other jackies he 
 found Jack Biddle and Mark Olney already arrayed 
 for inspection. " We're to have church directly 
 after breakfast," said Biddle. " The soldiers just 
 passed the word along." 
 
38 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 "In that case I guess I had better fix up, too," 
 replied the youth, and lost no time in doing so, 
 seeing to it that his " rig " was without a flaw, for 
 he knew that Quartermaster Yarrow would inspect 
 him with special care. 
 
 It was still cold, and outside the wind was 
 blowing half a gale. "It's lucky we're not in a 
 sailing craft," remarked Olney. " With such a 
 passenger list we'd founder sure." 
 
 " Uncle Sam can't afford to take us to Manila 
 by wind," answered Larry. "To my mind the 
 quicker we get there, the better. I'll wager those 
 rebels won't keep quiet much longer." 
 
 Breakfast was soon disposed of, and then soldiers 
 and sailors were lined up for inspection, some on 
 the upper deck and some below. Living quarters 
 were also inspected, and where the least thing was 
 out of order somebody was sure to hear of it, to 
 his discomfort. 
 
 When Quartermaster Yarrow came to Larry he 
 eyed the youth sharply from head to feet, trying 
 vainly to find something over which to grumble. 
 But nothing caught his eye, and he passed on, his 
 face drawn down into an ugly scowl. 
 
 Bound to make their first Sunday on the ocean 
 
SOMETHING ABOUT THE FALL OF MANILA 39 
 
 a pleasant one, those on board the transport had 
 arranged a regular programme for the church 
 service, consisting of music by the band, solo and 
 quartette singing, and a sermon, as well as singing 
 by all those who cared to take part. It was the 
 band that called most of the soldiers and sailors 
 together, with its sweet rendering of one of the 
 old familiar church airs. 
 
 A song by the quartette followed, and then 
 the chaplain of Ben's regiment stood up and 
 preached a short, but forceful, sermon on tempta- 
 tions and how to resist them. The preacher was 
 a young man, but gifted, and Larry and Ben re- 
 membered much of what was said long after the 
 words were spoken. 
 
 "Many of you have broken away from home for 
 the first time," concluded the preacher. "Perhaps 
 you feel free from all restraint. But remember 
 that the eye of God is on you wherever you go. 
 He can see not only your actions, but the inner- 
 most workings of your heart. And as God can 
 see, to condemn or reward, so can He also help 
 you, if you will but come to Him." 
 
 The sermon was followed by a prayer, and then 
 the quartette rendered a song that seems destined 
 
40 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 never to die, and which was particularly appropriate 
 upon this occasion : — 
 
 " Rocked in the cradle of the deep 
 
 I lay me down in peace to sleep ; 
 Secure I rest upon the wave, 
 
 For thou, O Lord, hast pow'r to save. 
 I know thou wilt not slight my call, 
 
 For thou dost mark the sparrow's fall ! 
 And calm and peaceful is my sleep, 
 
 Rocked in the cradle of the deep ! " 
 
 " That's grand ! " whispered Larry, as the song 
 came to an end ; and not only he but also Ben and 
 their friends joined heartily in singing the several 
 hymns which followed. The church service lasted 
 until nearly noon, and was repeated every Sunday 
 during the remainder of the voyage. 
 
CHAPTER V 
 
 STRUCK IN THE DARK 
 
 "Well, boys, we've struck winter weather, and 
 no mistake ! This wind from the north chills me 
 to the bone ! " 
 
 It was Gilbert who uttered the words. He was 
 standing on the upper deck of the transport, 
 wrapped up in the warmest clothing his outfit 
 contained, which is not saying a great deal, for 
 the regiment was equipped for a campaign in the 
 tropics, and not for life in the temperate zone. 
 
 " I don't suppose your Southern blood ever could 
 stand the cold," answered Ben, with a smile. He 
 felt the chilliness in the air himself. 
 
 "It seems to me it's rather early in the year 
 for winter — in this latitude," went on the young 
 Southerner. " Haven't you noticed a great change 
 since last night ? " 
 
 " I've noticed a change since noon. There has 
 been a big drop in the thermometer. I wonder if 
 
 41 
 
42 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 that betokens a storm. I hope not, for a heavy 
 blow wouldn't be pleasant with such a crowd 
 aboard." 
 
 " It means that we are in the vicinity of some 
 icebergs," put in one of the transport's officers, 
 who happened to be standing near. 
 
 " Icebergs ! " came from Ben and Gilbert, simul- 
 taneously. 
 
 " Yes, icebergs. You know they are frequently 
 encountered on the trip from the United States to 
 Europe." 
 
 "I've heard of them. And you think that is 
 what makes it unusually cool ? " 
 
 "I do. I've encountered icebergs before, and 
 the air was just as it is now ; " and the officer 
 turned away to attend to some of his duties. 
 
 "I'd like to see some of the bergs," remarked 
 Gilbert. "But I trust we don't get too close to 
 them," he added, with a serious shake of his head. 
 
 It was several days after the Sunday just men- 
 tioned, and the transport had covered about half 
 of the distance to the Strait of Gibraltar, the gate- 
 way to the Mediterranean Sea. Soldiers and sailors 
 had become settled to the routine on board, and 
 everything was working smoothly, excepting that 
 
STRUCK IN THE DARK 43 
 
 Quartermaster Yarrow was continually " picking " 
 at Larry, much to the youth's discomfort. 
 
 " He's got it in for me, I can see that," said the 
 boy to his brother. " If I give him the least chance, 
 he'll clap me in the brig, or dock me half a month's 
 pay." 
 
 " Don't give him any chance, then, Larry. Do 
 your duty always, and he'll be bound to let up 
 sooner or later." 
 
 "Nearly all of the men are down on him, Jack 
 Biddle especially. He gave Jack an awful scold- 
 ing, just because the old fellow let a cup of coffee 
 spill over one of the hammocks during that blow 
 yesterday, when we could hardly keep our feet. 
 Jack says he'll get square, or know the reason 
 why." 
 
 " Well, you keep out of the muss, Larry. We all 
 know Yarrow is a bully, — I heard our own colonel 
 say so, — but a fight won't mend matters, and you 
 had better make the best of it until we reach Ma- 
 nila. This trip won't last forever," concluded Ben. 
 
 It would not do to let the soldiers grow " rusty " 
 while on their way to the seat of war, and every day 
 after roll-call one or more of the companies were 
 brought on deck and put through a drill lasting the 
 
44 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 best part of an hour. The jackies were also lined 
 up for a similar purpose, but their drill was limited, 
 since they were assigned to all parts of the Asiatic 
 Squadron, with duties just as diversified. 
 
 The drilling of Ben's company interested Larry 
 very much, and his bosom swelled with pride as he 
 heard his brother, in the capacity of second lieuten- 
 ant, giving the necessary orders to the men under 
 him. " Ben's all right," he murmured to himself. 
 " He deserves his shoulder-straps. When I get 
 back to the Olympia I must see what I can do 
 toward gaining war honors." 
 
 Besides the drill there were numerous other exer- 
 cises, including fencing and firing at a target. Both 
 Ben and Gilbert were good shots, hitting the bull's- 
 eye three times out of five, while Larry did almost 
 as well. 
 
 " This trip puts me a little in mind of our voyage 
 from Tampa to Baiquiri," said Ben, after the drill- 
 ing for the day was over. " Only that didn't last so 
 long." 
 
 " Sure and we ain't got thim dudes wid us this 
 trip, lieutenant," broke in Dan Casey. " Don't yez 
 remember phwat trouble they caused all of us, wid 
 their highfaluten airs?" 
 
STRUCK IN THE DARK 45 
 
 " Yah, day vouldn't keep sthill until I ordered 
 von glass case for to put dem in," added Carl 
 Stummer. " Of dem dudes vos go to Vanila, Dewey 
 vould fall down mit disgust on seein' dem, hey ? " 
 
 At this a roar went up. " There yez go wid 
 Vanila ag'in !" cried Casey. "It's meself has told 
 ye it's Manila more than a hundred times. Just 
 remember Manila paper an' Manila cigars, and for- 
 git vanila ice-cream fer once, Carl, me b'y," and 
 another roar went up. 
 
 " I presume we'll see some strange sights on the 
 way," remarked Gilbert to Ben. " Even if we don't 
 land anywhere, we'll get a good look at Port Said 
 and Suez when we go through the Suez Canal." 
 
 " It's a good thing the canal is there. If it 
 wasn't we should have had to sail around Cape 
 Horn or the southern coast of Africa." 
 
 " Oh, I reckon if the canal wasn't there, we should 
 have taken the transport at San Francisco. A voy- 
 age around South America or Africa would have 
 taken too long. But it's a good distance as it is. 
 With the annexation of Hawaii and the scooping in 
 of Porto Rico and the twelve hundred islands of the 
 Philippines, Uncle Sam will have a lot of children 
 far and near to look after, eh ? " 
 
46 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 " Yes, and he will have Cuba to look after, too. 
 Who ever supposed when we turned in to help the 
 starving Cubans that matters would turn as they 
 have?" 
 
 "Whenever two nations go to war there is no 
 telling what the outcome will be. If Spain could 
 have looked ahead, I guess she would have given the 
 Cubans their freedom rather than let Uncle Sam 
 take away her other possessions." 
 
 " I've no doubt of that. And perhaps we'll be 
 sorry we took the Philippines — if they get us into 
 trouble with some other nation who has a moneyed 
 interest there, Ben." 
 
 The mess call for supper interrupted the conver- 
 sation at this point, and the chums separated, each 
 going to his own company's quarters. It was 
 already dark, and all over the transport the lights 
 were lit. In one of the passageways Ben met 
 Larry, also on his way to mess. 
 
 " We're passing some floating ice," announced 
 the young sailor. " Some of the cakes are as large 
 as Saratoga trunks." 
 
 " Is that so, Larry ? I'll go up after supper and 
 look at them. I heard some thumping awhile ago 
 and wondered what it meant." 
 
STRUCK IN THE DARK 47 
 
 " We are a little short of ice, and I've been 
 watching some of the sailors scoop up a few cakes 
 with a big net. It was hard work, and one of the 
 crew came within an inch of going overboard." 
 
 " Is the ice like that we already have ? " ques- 
 tioned the young lieutenant, with interest. 
 
 "It seems to be clearer, and I heard one of the 
 sailors say that the heart of one of the cakes was 
 as hard as flint. I suppose that ice has drifted 
 thousands of miles from its home in the frozen 
 north." 
 
 Everybody was cold, and a trip to the big galley 
 fire was considered a luxury. Those who went on 
 deck stayed there only for a short while, and during 
 the mess hot coffee and tea were at a premium. 
 
 " I'm glad I haven't a watch on deck to-night," 
 remarked Mark Olney, as the jackies turned in. 
 
 " Oh, this is nothing," answered Jack Biddle. 
 "I've been out on trips when half the deck and 
 rigging were covered with ice. We had such a 
 trip when I was serving under Commodore Schley, 
 and we went in search of Lieutenant Greely, who 
 had started out to locate the North Pole and got 
 lost. We found Greely at Cape Sabine, and all 
 hands came pretty near freezing to death." 
 
48 UNDER OTIS IN" THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 " Excuse me, I'll do my sailoring under the equa* 
 tor," said Larry. " I'd rather run my chancea of 
 roasting to death than freezing. In the China 
 Sea — " 
 
 " Silence forward ! " came in a rough voice from 
 Quartermaster Yarrow. " Don't you know it's past 
 pipe down long ago ? The whole ship ain't going 
 to keep awake just because you want to wag your 
 tongues. Silence, or you'll hear from me ! " And 
 after that no more was said, and soon after all 
 hands turned in. 
 
 For some reason Larry could not sleep and lay 
 with his eyes wide open, staring fixedly at the bot- 
 tom of the hammock-cot overhead, in which Jack 
 Biddle was already snoring lustily, having gone to 
 sleep immediately upon lying down. Below him 
 lay Mark Olney, also in the land of dreams. 
 
 " I wonder how Luke and the others on board 
 the Olympia are getting along ? " he mused. " Per- 
 haps they are having the biggest kind of fighting 
 by this time. If they are, it's too bad that I am 
 not in it. But I think that from now on the 
 army will get the lion's share of the work and 
 glory." And then his thoughts drifted elsewhere 
 — to life at home when his mother had been alive, 
 
STRUCK DT THE DARK 49 
 
 to his quarrel with his step-uncle and his running 
 away, and then to the thrilling voyage on the 
 Columbia and Olan Oleson's villainy. "It's odd 
 that his rascality placed me under Dewey at Ma- 
 nila," he went on. " If it hadn't been for that I 
 might be serving under Captain Ponsberry still. 
 If I ever meet Oleson again though, won't I — " 
 
 Larry was permitted to go no further with his 
 meditations. A slight shock somewhere on the 
 side of the transport interrupted him and caused 
 him to sit bolt upright. " What's that ? " he cried 
 to another sailor who had roused up. 
 " Bless me, if I know," was the answer. 
 " It sounded as if we were struck by something." 
 " So it did. Perhaps we had better — " 
 The jackie never finished the sentence, nor did 
 Larry just then pay any more attention to him. 
 Another shock had come, followed by a grinding 
 crash, and suddenly the transport keeled over to 
 starboard, sending the youth sprawling headlong 
 into the gangway. Ere he could arise the heavy 
 form of Jack Biddle came down on top of him, 
 and at the same time all the lights went out, leav- 
 ing those in that part of the ship in total dark- 
 ness. 
 
CHAPTER VI 
 
 JACK BIDDLE SPEAKS HIS MIND 
 
 " An iceberg has struck the ship ! " 
 
 " We've got a hole in our side and are sinking ! " 
 
 " Let me out of this ! I want to get into one 
 of the small boats ! " 
 
 " Steady there, men, steady, until we see what 
 the real trouble is." 
 
 Such were some of the cries which rang out 
 shrilly on the night air — cries to which but few 
 paid any attention. The shock had come so sud- 
 denly, and was so unexpected, that for the mo- 
 ment all was confusion and terror. 
 
 " Let me up, Biddle ! " gasped Larry, as soon as 
 he could speak, and he tried to shove the old tar 
 to one side. 
 
 " Is that you down here, Larry," was the answer, 
 as Biddle scrambled to his feet, with the boy fol- 
 lowing. " What's up ? " 
 
 " We're struck — somebody said by an ice- 
 50 
 
JACK BIDDLE SPEAKS HIS MIND 51 
 
 berg. I guess we had better get to the upper 
 deck." 
 
 "Hold on — I'll go with you," came from out 
 of the darkness, and Mark Olney clutched Larry 
 by the arm. " Oh, but this is awful ! " whispered 
 the newly enlisted one, hoarsely. " Are we going 
 down, do you think ? " 
 
 " That depends upon how badly we've been hit," 
 returned Larry. His heart was thumping wildly. 
 What if they should go down? He knew well 
 enough that there were not small boats enough 
 aboard to hold them all. 
 
 " Hi ! hi ! " came in little short of a scream. 
 " Let me get on deck. I can't swim and I don't 
 want to drown ! Let me on deck ! Oh, why did 
 I ever come on this trip ! " 
 
 The howl — for it was nothing less — came from 
 Quartermaster Yarrow, who was stumbling along 
 the gangway, stepping on all who happened to be 
 in his path. The petty officer was panic-stricken 
 and brought up with great force against Jack 
 Biddle, and both went down. 
 
 " Confound you ! " roared the old tar, wrathfully. 
 " What do you mean by thumping me over in this 
 wise ? " 
 
52 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 " Out of my way, Biddle — I don't want to 
 drown ! Out of my way ! " answered Yarrow, 
 with a pant. And then he struggled to rise again. 
 
 He was so excited that he paid no attention to 
 gentleness, and as a consequence Biddle found 
 himself hurled against some of the iron piping 
 lining the gangway, one section catching him over 
 his unusually large nose, the skin of which was 
 considerably scraped by the operation. 
 
 " You infernal landlubber ! " was the old tar's 
 comment, and as the quartermaster tried to step 
 away he was caught by the leg and hurled flat. 
 
 " Don't ! don't ! " shrieked Yarrow. " I want 
 to get on deck ! Let me up ! " and rising once 
 more he shoved forward to the companionway, 
 elbowing everybody right and left as he moved on. 
 
 It was some time before Larry could gain the 
 upper deck, to find it so crowded with soldiers 
 and sailors that there was scarcely standing room. 
 Gazing around anxiously, he soon saw Ben and Gil- 
 bert and made his way to the pair. 
 
 " We are struck, Ben ! " 
 
 "Yes, Larry, a big iceberg hit us; I just heard 
 one of the officers say so." 
 
 "Is there any danger?'* 
 
JACK BIDDLE SPEAKS HIS MIND 53 
 
 "I don't know." 
 
 " Break away there ! " came the cry. " Don't 
 block up this deck just now. We are not seri- 
 ously damaged," and one of the transport's officers 
 appeared, followed by the ship's carpenter and two 
 assistants. " We haven't lost anything but some 
 of our upper railings. But it's a blessing that 
 that iceberg didn't hit us squarely." 
 
 The crowd shoved to one side as the carpenter ap- 
 proached. More soldiers were coming up from below, 
 and the Russell boys and Gilbert could scarcely find 
 room in which to breathe. " What a jam ! " began 
 the young Southerner, when there came a crack 
 close at hand, and two soldiers standing behind him 
 disappeared from view. 
 
 " Man overboard ! " 
 
 " The railing has given away ! Look out there ! " 
 
 " Throw him a life preserver and get out the life 
 boat ! " 
 
 " Hilp I hilp ! don't let me dhrown like this ! " 
 came from one of the soldiers in the water. 
 
 " That was Dan Casey who went over ! " gasped 
 Ben. 
 
 " And the other was Corporal Hawkins of our 
 company," added Gilbert. "Can you see them?" 
 
54 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 "No, I can't see a thing in the darkness." 
 
 " I see one of them ! " cried Larry. " Here you 
 go with that ! " he continued to some soldiers behind 
 him. 
 
 He put up his hand in the crowd and one life 
 preserver after another was thrown to him. Tak- 
 ing as good an aim as possible he hurled the articles 
 forth, and had the satisfaction of seeing one of them 
 picked up. 
 
 By this time word had been passed to the engine 
 room of the transport and the big vessel was coming 
 to a stop. With difficulty a portion of the deck was 
 cleared and one of the small boats was manned and 
 lowered over the side. The officer in charge car- 
 ried a boat-hook, a life-line and a powerful search- 
 lantern. 
 
 " I hope they bring them safe on board," said 
 Ben. " It would be too bad if Casey should be 
 drowned. He is one of the most whole-souled 
 fellows in the command." 
 
 "And we can't afford to lose our men in this 
 fashion," added Gilbert. "We want to take them 
 all to Manila." 
 
 An anxious ten minutes passed, during which 
 those on board saw but little saving the light on 
 
JACK BIDDLE SPEAKS HIS MIND 55 
 
 the small boat as it danced up and down on the 
 billows behind the transport. Then came a distant 
 shout. 
 
 " They are safe ! " 
 
 " Thank God for that," murmured Ben, rever- 
 ently, and Larry and Gilbert uttered a low "amen." 
 
 Soon they saw the small boat returning, and once 
 again room had to be made that it and its occupants 
 could be taken aboard. 
 
 " Hurrah for those who went to the rescue ! " 
 shouted somebody ; and the cheers were given 
 with a will. Now it was known that the trans- 
 port itself was out of danger a great load was 
 lifted from the minds of all, and once more order 
 prevailed. 
 
 The corporal belonging to Gilbert's company 
 had suffered nothing more than a thorough wet- 
 ting, but poor Dan Casey had not been so fortu- 
 nate. In his effort to board the life-boat he had 
 lost his grip, and a treacherous wave had cast him 
 headlong at the bow, giving him a severe blow on 
 the head, from which the blood flowed profusely. 
 
 " We'll take him to the sick bay," said Ben ; 
 and led the way to where a corner of the ship had 
 been partitioned off as a hospital. Casey was 
 
56 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 placed on a soft cot, and the surgeon in charge 
 bound up the wound and gave him some stimulants, 
 after which the Irish volunteer exchanged his wet 
 garments for dry ones. He smiled grimly when 
 Ben asked him how he felt. 
 
 "I'll be meself in the marnin', lieutenant," was 
 Casey's answer. " Say, but I'm bound to catch it 
 at the very start, ain't I now, just as I did in 
 Cuby ? " he added ruefully. 
 
 The crash had come shortly after twelve o'clock, 
 and for the remainder of the night both soldiers and 
 sailors slept but little. Many remained on deck 
 to watch for more icebergs, but none of any size 
 appeared ; and by the following day all danger 
 from this source was past. 
 
 One of the most crestfallen men among the naval 
 contingent was Quartermaster Yarrow. Many had 
 noticed his great terror, and he was twitted un- 
 mercifully behind his back, but in such a fashion 
 that a good deal of the talk reached his ears, 
 causing him to tremble with rage. 
 
 " He's a coward if ever there was one," said Jack 
 Biddle. " Instead of being in Uncle Sam's navy 
 he ought to be on a farm, minding cows." 
 
 " Even then he might be afraid of being 5 , hooked," 
 
" I'll show you who you are talking to." — Page 57. 
 
JACK BIDDLE SPEAKS HIS MLND 57 
 
 put in Mark Olney. "Well, to tell the truth, I 
 think we were all a bit rattled." 
 
 " But none of us quite so much as the quarter- 
 master," said Larry. "Why, he went on as if he 
 was getting a fit." 
 
 At this juncture Quartermaster Yarrow came up 
 behind them, just in time to catch Larry's words. 
 Instantly he grew red in the face. 
 
 " Talking about me behind my back, eh ? " he 
 growled. "Nice business to be in. I've a good 
 mind to clap all of you in the brig." 
 
 "I don't think you'll do it, quartermaster," re- 
 plied Biddle, with a boldness that astonished Larry. 
 
 " I won't ? Why, you rascal — " 
 
 " Hold on; I'm no rascal," 
 
 " Yes, you are. Get to the brig, and stay there 
 for three days. I'll show you who you are talk- 
 ing to ! " and Yarrow shook his fist in Jack Biddle's 
 face. 
 
 The old tar grew pale, and as quick as a flash 
 he hurled the fist to one side and caught the 
 quartermaster by the arm. 
 
 " Send me to the brig, and you'll be sorry for 
 it," he said quietly but sternly. " It's true you 
 are the officer in charge here, but we men have, 
 
58 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 some rights that you are bound to respect. Ever 
 since we sailed from Brooklyn you've played the 
 part of a bully and a brute, and I can get every 
 one of our men to testify to it." 
 
 " This is an — an outrage! " gasped Yarrow. " It's 
 — it's mutiny! " 
 
 " No, it's only plain common sense, quartermaster. 
 Don't let a little petty authority turn your head. 
 If you force me to do it, I'll make a complaint 
 against you, and I'll wager I can get every Jackie 
 in our crowd to back me up." 
 
 " You will conspire against me ! " and Yarrow 
 turned actually white with sudden fear. 
 
 " No, we'll only tell the truth, — how you've 
 bulldozed this one and that one, and how you put 
 Noxwell into the brig for no offence at all, and 
 how you acted like a crazy man when the ship 
 was struck, and knocked me flat and skinned my 
 nose." Jack Biddle paused to touch the wounded 
 nasal organ. " We can bring a big score ag'in' 
 you if you force us to do it." 
 
 Quartermaster Yarrow glared at the speaker. 
 Could he have done so he would have flogged 
 Jack Biddle. But the old tar was undaunted and 
 stood his ground. 
 
JACK BIDDLE SPEAKS HIS MIND 59 
 
 " You'll make a complaint against me, eh ? " he 
 said slowly, between his set teeth. 
 
 " I will — unless you treat me fairly in the future 
 — and do what's right by young Russell here and 
 Olney. You must remember that I'm a seaman 
 gunner and have seen many years of service, and 
 Uncle Sam will listen to me just as quick as he 
 will to you. Moreover, as soon as we reach Manila 
 your authority will come to an end." 
 
 " If Jack Biddle has to make a complaint, I'll 
 do the same," put in Larry, feeling he must stand 
 up for his friend. 
 
 " And so will I enter a complaint," added Mark 
 Olney. " I'm not going to stand being bullied 
 any longer." 
 
 For fully a minute the quartermaster stood 
 speechless, glaring at first one and then another 
 of the trio. He felt that he was cornered, that 
 what Biddle had said was true, and that with 
 a number of charges piled up against him, it 
 might go hard with him upon reaching Philippine 
 waters. 
 
 "You — you — this is a plot to down me," he 
 muttered at last. "I can see through it from 
 beginning to end. You shall all pay dearly for 
 
60 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 conspiring against me. Just wait until the proper 
 time comes, and I'll show you all what I can do." 
 And with these decidedly unsatisfactory remarks, 
 he hurried off, leaving our three friends masters, 
 for the present, at least, of the field. 
 
CHAPTER VII 
 
 GIBRALTAR, AND THE PLOT AGAINST LARRY 
 
 "You did just right," said Ben, when Larry 
 told him of what had occurred. "Yarrow is sub- 
 ject to the authority of the captain of this trans- 
 port while on the high seas. I found that out 
 from Captain Larchmore. If he makes any more 
 trouble, report him to Captain Feldgard." 
 
 "I don't see how a fellow can be so overbear- 
 ing, Ben. I would rather be liked by those under 
 me than hated." 
 
 "A bully's nature is born in him, Larry, — just 
 as a bulldog is a bulldog and nothing less. Be- 
 fore Yarrow can conquer anybody else, he will 
 have to conquer himself." 
 
 Two days had passed since Jack Biddle had 
 freed his mind of what was on it; and during 
 that time Quartermaster Yarrow had kept his dis- 
 tance, and nothing more had been said about put- 
 ting anybody in the brig or fining him. " Guess 
 
 61 
 
62 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 he's going to turn over a new leaf," said Olney ; 
 but he was mistaken. The unreasonably petty 
 officer was only biding his time before mak- 
 ing them smart for the fancied insults he had 
 received. 
 
 As I have said, the course of the transport was 
 for the Strait of Gibraltar, and one fine morning 
 a dim outline of distant hills could be seen almost 
 dead ahead. Then the course was shifted from 
 east to southeast, and presently those who were 
 fortunate enough to own field-glasses made out the 
 frowning shore of Cape St. Vincent on the south- 
 west coast of Portugal. 
 
 " We'll soon be close to Spanish waters," said 
 Ben. " We are less than two hundred miles from 
 Cadiz, where the Spanish warships were fitted out 
 for the fight with our ships." 
 
 " Shall we pass within sight of the city, do you 
 think ? " asked Larry, who had just joined him. 
 
 "I think not. Our course is to be straight for 
 Gibraltar, so I heard a ship's officer say. I don't 
 think the Spaniards will want to see us. It may 
 be possible that we shall stop at the English city 
 of Gibraltar." 
 
 "It's queer that England should have a posses- 
 
GIBRALTAR, AND THE PLOT AGAINST LARRY 63 
 
 sion here, in the heart of the Spanish seacoast," 
 remarked Gilbert. 
 
 " She has held it since 1704, Gilbert, after a 
 fierce fight by the English and Dutch combined. 
 Spain and France have both tried to take it from 
 her, but the fortress on the rock is said to be 
 almost impregnable. I should like to stop in the 
 city and see how the English run things." 
 
 "I should rather stop in Tangier, on the op- 
 posite shore, and get a sight of Morocco," said 
 Larry. " I wonder if that is where all the Mo- 
 rocco leather comes from ? " 
 
 " Not much ! " said Gilbert. " Perhaps it did 
 once, but now I fancy you can get that leather 
 from lots of other places, just as you can get 
 Russian sheet iron right from our own country." 
 
 "It's queer we didn't sight any of the Azores 
 Islands," said Ben. 
 
 " We passed them in the night," said his brother. 
 "The way we are pushing along I guess the gov- 
 ernment wants to get us to Manila just as soon 
 as possible." 
 
 It was a clear day, much warmer than it had 
 been ; and from morning until nightfall they re- 
 mained in sight of the distant hills, which were 
 
64 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 now on the port bow. As darkness closed in on 
 the transport, the lights from the strait appeared, 
 together with those from the lighthouse beyond. 
 
 " This settles sightseeing for us," remarked 
 Larry, disappointedly. " By morning I suppose 
 we'll be out of sight of land in the Mediter- 
 ranean." But he was mistaken, for a little later 
 the transport came to a halt, and she did not go 
 through the strait until morning, after the port 
 regulations had been complied with, and Ameri- 
 can and British commanders had exchanged the 
 usual courtesies. 
 
 The course was now along the northern coasts 
 of Algeria and Tunis, but so far out that nothing 
 was to be seen of Algiers or the other cities lining 
 the sea. Other ships were numerous, including a 
 great number devoted to fishing, for the Mediter- 
 ranean is alive with species of the finny tribe, 
 tunny-fishing especially being a great industry. 
 Once the transport stopped to take some tunnies 
 aboard, and the Russell boys were surprised at 
 the size of the fishes. 
 
 " Why, they must weigh two or three hun- 
 dred pounds," observed Larry. "What are they 
 — mackerel ? " 
 
GIBRALTAR, AND THE PLOT AGAINST LARRY 65 
 
 "A kind of mackerel, yes," replied Jack Biddle. 
 " Some of them weigh a good deal more than 
 these, running up, so I've been told, to a thousand 
 pounds." 
 
 "A nice catch with a rod and reel," remarked 
 Gilbert. "I fancy a fellow would go overboard 
 in a hurry — if his line held out." 
 
 "And he was foolish enough to hold on," 
 finished Ben. 
 
 " I wonder how deep this sea is," went on Larry. 
 " It's so clear that it looks as if it had no 
 bottom." 
 
 "Take it all the way through it's about half 
 a mile deep," answered Biddle, who had sailed 
 these waters half a dozen times before. "The 
 greatest depth, I believe, is at Gibraltar, where 
 those high-standing rocks cut down below the 
 surface to a depth of between five and six thou- 
 sand feet." 
 
 By inquiry, the youths learned that the ship 
 was heading almost directly for Cape Bon, on the 
 extreme northeast coast of Tunis. About a hun- 
 dred miles to the east of the cape lies the island 
 of Sicily. "Perhaps we'll stop there," said Ben. 
 But this was not to be, and once Cape Bon was 
 
66 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 rounded, about a week later, the course of the 
 transport was changed to south-southeast and then 
 eastward. 
 
 " Hurrah ! " cried Mark Olney, one afternoon as 
 he came rushing forward. " I've got good news, 
 fellows." 
 
 "Then give it to us as soon as possible, young- 
 ster," returned Jack Biddle, while Larry and a 
 number of others gathered around to listen. 
 
 " We are approaching the island of Malta, and 
 the commandant says that if the British governor- 
 general is willing, we can land for a day and 
 stretch our legs by a march through the city and 
 into the country beyond." 
 
 This was elating news, and it did not take long 
 for it to travel from one end of the transport to 
 the other. Larry and Ben wished to know all 
 about Malta at once, and at last found an old 
 sailor who had stopped there for the best part of 
 a month. 
 
 " It's a beautiful little island belonging to the 
 British government," said the tar. " It's about 
 sixty miles south of Sicily, and more than twice 
 that far from the African coast. It's only a small 
 place, about nine miles broad by seventeen miles 
 
GIBRALTAR, AND THE PLOT AGAINST LARRY 67 
 
 long, but it's a very important holding for John 
 Bull, and has a fortress that is nearly as strong as 
 that at Gibraltar. The British Mediterranean Squad- 
 ron makes Malta its central station." 
 
 "I'm glad we are to stop there," put in Larry. 
 " Now perhaps we'll see how our cousins from over 
 the sea manage things." 
 
 The capital of Malta is Valetta, and on the fol- 
 lowing afternoon they rounded the north shore of 
 the island, and steamed into the peaceful harbor, 
 which was dotted with innumerable ships, includ- 
 ing several British men-of-war. The city is built 
 on a peninsula, and rises by a series of stone steps, 
 hewn out of the solid rock, the lower portion being 
 connected with the mainland by a large central 
 bridge. Beyond the city could be seen a wide 
 plain, dotted with a luxuriant growth of trees. 
 Besides Valetta there are several other important 
 points, including Medina, the former capital. 
 
 Immediately upon the arrival of the transport, 
 the commander of the expedition went ashore, and 
 paid his respects to the governor-general at the 
 palace, and also called upon the British admiral, 
 who happened to be in port. Permission was asked 
 to land the troops and exercise them, and this was 
 
68 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 readily granted, and plans for an informal review 
 were arranged. The arrival of the Americans was 
 at once noised around, and before nightfall the 
 busy little city was decorated from end to end 
 with British flags and bunting, entwined here and 
 there with our own red, white, and blue. 
 
 "Johnny Bull is going to show his friendliness 
 this time," said Ben. "We'll have to do our best 
 on this parade." The colonel of the regiment and 
 the commander of the artillery said practically the 
 same thing, and orders were at once issued to 
 "brush up." By nine o'clock on the following 
 morning everything was "in apple-pie order," to 
 use Larry's way of expressing it, shoes polished, 
 clothes brushed, and not a button nor a shirt lace 
 missing anywhere. The band, too, had polished up 
 their instruments until they shone like silver. 
 
 The only man who was not happy was Quarter- 
 master Yarrow. For twenty-four hours he had 
 speculated upon how to force Larry and Jack 
 Biddle to remain on board, but without daring to 
 make a move in that direction. "If I go too far, 
 they'll press a charge against me," he muttered. 
 "I must find some other way to punish them." 
 
 Bully as he was, the quartermaster had made 
 
GIBRALTAR, AND THE PLOT AGAINST LARRY 69 
 
 one friend, or rather toady. This was a little dried- 
 up fellow named Andy Possy, although throughout 
 the transport he was known as the Cat, because of 
 his sly manner. Possy had noted the enmity exist- 
 ing between Yarrow on one side and Biddle and 
 Larry on the other, and he came to the quarter- 
 master when he saw the latter watching the two 
 friends. 
 
 "If I was you, quartermaster, I'd show them 
 where they belong," he ventured. "They don't 
 treat you fairly, nohow." 
 
 "I know they don't, Andy. But I don't hardly 
 know how to handle them. If I do anything, they'll 
 get up a protest, and you know nearly all the crowd 
 are down on me," was Yarrow's moody reply. 
 
 " Yes, I know they are all down on you — all 
 but me," went on the toady. " But I wouldn't 
 stand it, not much ! Ain't you the quartermaster, 
 an' over 'em ? " 
 
 " I know, but still — " Yarrow paused and 
 pulled nervously at his mustache. "Possy, have 
 you got anything in your mind ? " he went on, 
 suddenly. 
 
 "Well — er — maybe I have, quartermaster. I 
 was only thinkin' to help you, you know." 
 
70 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 " To be sure. You seem to be the only friend 
 I have here. What were you thinking of?" 
 
 "Thinkin' of how you could get square with 
 Biddle and young Russell." 
 
 "Do you mean by making them remain on 
 board?" 
 
 "No, I wouldn't do that, because if you do, the 
 crowd will be wuss down on you than ever." 
 
 "Well, what were you thinking of, then?" 
 
 "I was thinking if it wouldn't be a better plan 
 if you got rid of them entirely." 
 
 "Rid of them?" 
 
 "That's what I said, quartermaster. If they 
 wasn't on the transport after to-day, then they 
 wouldn't bother you any more ; see ? " 
 
 "I see, but I don't exactly catch your meaning, 
 Andy. Of course you don't mean for me to get 
 rid of them entirely — that is, to do them foul ? " 
 
 " Oh, no ! You can get rid of 'em easier than 
 that — and without committing any great crime, 
 either; that is, if we get a few hours to ourselves 
 when we are on shore." 
 
 " And how can it be done ? " demanded Yarrow. 
 " Speak right out, Andy ; you can trust me." . 
 
 " If the boys get a few hours to themselves, you 
 
GIBRALTAR, AND THE PLOT AGAINST LARRY 71 
 
 or I can easily manage to separate Biddle and Rus- 
 sell from the rest of the party. Then whoever does 
 the trick can lead 'em to some lonely spot, — for the 
 purpose of showin' 'em some interesting sight, you 
 know, — and there you or I can treat 'em from a 
 bottle of liquor that is drugged. They'll fall down 
 asleep, and if you don't report their absence, the 
 transport will sail without 'em, and they'll be left 
 on the island among strangers, instead of joining 
 the navy at Manila." 
 
 " By Jove, Andy, that's a scheme," said Yarrow, 
 softly, his dark face lightening up. "But there 
 are two points which you have overlooked. In 
 the first place, Russell doesn't drink liquor of any 
 kind, and in the second we haven't any drug with 
 which to dose them." 
 
 "If Russell don't drink liquor, we can put the 
 drug in a bottle of soft stuff — say lemonade or 
 ginger ale." 
 
 " But where is the drug to come from ? I don't 
 know what to use that is safe, and if I did, I 
 wouldn't dare to go to the ship's apothecary for 
 it, for fear of giving the whole scheme away." 
 
 " This is an English town, and there must be an 
 English druggist here. I know all about knockout 
 
72 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 drops, as they are called, and if you say the word, 
 I'll get 'em," went on Andy Possy, in a whisper. 
 
 " What will they cost — much ? " 
 
 "Not more than two or three shillings, — say 
 fifty cents. The scheme's worth trying — if you 
 want to get square," added the Cat, earnestly. 
 He and Jack Biddle had had a row over sleeping- 
 quarters the first night out, and he in consequence 
 bore the old tar no good will. As for Larry, he 
 had tried to become intimate with the lad, but 
 Possy's manner smacked too much of the Bowery, 
 New York, where he belonged ; and the youth had 
 given him the cold shoulder, something which had 
 angered Possy not a little. 
 
 "All right, we'll try your plan, — if the right 
 chance comes," answered Quartermaster Yarrow, 
 after a slight pause. "But don't breathe a word 
 of this to anybody else, Andy, or it will mean 
 arrest and imprisonment for both of us." 
 
 " I'll be as mum as an oyster, quartermaster, trust 
 me," was the cautious response ; and then, as one of 
 the regimental officers came up to consult Yarrow in 
 reference to the part the jackies were to take in the 
 coming review, Andy Possy slunk away in the cat- 
 like fashion that had given him his nickname. 
 
CHAPTER VIII 
 
 AN ADVENTURE ON THE ISLAND OF MALTA 
 
 " Hurrah for a day ashore ! May we all have 
 lots of fun and show our English cousins that 
 Uncle Sam is some pumpkins, after all." 
 
 " I don't wonder you are enthusiastic, Larry, " 
 said Ben, who was putting the finishing touches 
 to his toilet. "But don't let your high spirits 
 run away with you, or that quartermaster will clap 
 you into the brig without warning." 
 
 " Humph ! He hasn't dared to say a word cross- 
 wise since Jack Biddle spoke up as he did," an- 
 swered the young sailor. "We are all doing our 
 duties, and that is all that can be expected of us. 
 If he made us stay on board, he would get a reg- 
 ular hornets' nest around his head, and I know it." 
 
 "If we get the chance, we must take a walk 
 out together, — you, Gilbert, and I," went on the 
 young lieutenant. " It's too bad Walter isn't with 
 us, eh ? " 
 
 73 
 
74 UNDER OTIS IF THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 " Oh, he'll have sight-seeing enough, Ben. The 
 Brooklyn is bound for a regular tour, you know, 
 along with the rest of the Atlantic Squadron. 
 But I must join our men now," and Larry ran 
 off, whistling as he went. He was a sailor 
 through and through, but a run on shore always 
 pleased him and "gave him a better taste for salt 
 water," as he was wont to say. 
 
 Before ten o'clock all the sailors and soldiers 
 were landed, and soon the parade commenced, 
 through the principal streets and then up to the 
 parade ground, where the review was held. The 
 band came first, playing " God Save the Queen," 
 as a compliment to the inhabitants, and then fol- 
 lowed the twelve infantry companies and the ar- 
 tillery, with the sailors bringing up in the rear. 
 Flags were flying gayly, and a gun at the fortress 
 thundered out a salute as the reviewing ground 
 was reached, and the governor-general and the 
 admiral viewed the parade from the saddles of 
 their mettlesome horses. Behind these two dig- 
 nitaries were stationed numerous other officers of 
 the garrison stationed at Malta, and from the 
 warships. 
 
 The crowd swarming on all sides was a dense 
 
AN ADVENTUBE ON THE ISLAND OF MALTA 75 
 
 one, for parades are not numerous in Valetta, and 
 this was the first time that the natives had had 
 a chance of seeing Uncle Sam's soldiers and sailors. 
 As the colonel in command appeared, followed by 
 the first infantry company, there was a loud burst 
 of applause, and this increased as company after 
 company swept by, each line as straight as a 
 string and all keeping step as only our soldiers 
 can when placed on their mettle. "It is fine," 
 murmured the governor-general to the admiral. 
 " Our own infantry could not possibly do better." 
 
 " The band makes itself heard," answered the 
 admiral, as his horse began to prance. "I wish 
 they wouldn't give us quite so much music." 
 Probably he would have preferred being on the 
 deck of one of his ships rather than in the saddle 
 just then. 
 
 For, as the second company of infantry came up, 
 and the noise increased, the steed he rode gave a 
 turn and a bound, and in a twinkling the naval 
 commander was unseated. He tried to save him- 
 self, but the most he could do was to cling to the 
 saddle with his arms, while the horse went plung- 
 ing forward, rearing and kicking in a truly violent 
 fashion. 
 
76 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 " Save the admiral ! He'll go down and be 
 trampled to death ! Stop the horse ! " 
 
 Such was the cry which arose, but for the in- 
 stant the horse seemed so vicious, and so bent 
 upon mischief, that hardly anybody ran to the 
 naval officer's assistance. In the meantime the 
 steed rushed onward, straight for Company B, of 
 which we know Gilbert was one of the sergeants. 
 
 The young Southerner saw the steed coming 
 and started to leap to one side. Then, urged by 
 a sudden inspiration, he sprang forward, and as 
 quick as a wink he had the horse by the bridle, 
 to which he held fast with all his strength. Again 
 the steed reared and plunged, shaking his head 
 from side to side, but Gilbert's grip did not re- 
 lax, and, at last, finding himself thus suddenly 
 mastered, the beast became quiet, and the admiral 
 slipped to the ground. 
 
 " I reckon he will be all right now, sir," said 
 Gilbert, as soon as the violence of his exertions 
 would permit him to speak. " The band fright- 
 ened him a bit, that's all." 
 
 "I — ah — suppose that's true," answered the 
 naval officer. " You're a brave fellow to stop him 
 as you did." 
 
AN ADVENTURE ON THE ISLAND OF MALTA 77 
 
 " Oh, that's nothing, sir. I'm used to horses 
 — used to belong to our Rough Riders," and a 
 twinkle shone in the sergeant's eye. 
 
 "The Rough Riders that fought in Cuba?" 
 questioned the admiral, with sudden interest. 
 
 "Yes, sir." 
 
 "Then, no wonder you weren't afraid of this 
 beast. I've heard those men weren't afraid of 
 anything." The admiral swung himself into the 
 saddle again, making sure that he now held a 
 tight rein. "I owe you one for this, sergeant, 
 and I shall not forget you ; " and then he rode 
 back to the governor-general's side, leaving Gil- 
 bert to follow up Company B on the double- 
 quick. The incident had caused a slight break 
 in the ranks, but this was speedily straightened 
 out. 
 
 The review at an end, the soldiers and sailors 
 left the parade ground, and after a hearty dinner 
 struck out again through the streets of the city 
 and then on to a country road lined with fine 
 residences and beautiful shade trees. The day 
 was mild and clear, and it can truthfully be said 
 that the majority of those in the crowd had never 
 enjoyed themselves so much. Formalities were 
 
78 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 cast aside, and all moved forward in irregular 
 lines, walking with such chums as were convenient. 
 
 "They tell me you acted the part of a hero, 
 Gilbert," said Ben, as soon as they were together. 
 "This will be a big feather in your cap. Per- 
 haps the admiral will decorate you with the Order 
 of the Horse, or something like that." 
 
 The young Southerner laughed. "Are you 
 praising me or poking fun at me ? " he asked. 
 
 " I'm praising you, to be sure. And you cer- 
 tainly deserve it." 
 
 "Thanks. But let us talk about something 
 else," said Gilbert, modestly. 
 
 "I will, after you've told me what the admiral 
 said. It's something to have talked to him." 
 
 "He thanked me." 
 
 "Is that all?" 
 
 " Well, he said he owed me one and should not 
 forget me." 
 
 "That was nice. Perhaps he'll send you a big 
 reward." 
 
 "I don't want any reward, Ben, and I don't 
 want to be joked about it. Where are we going?" 
 
 "That is more than I know, excepting that we 
 are to take it easy in a patch of woods some dis- 
 
AN ADVENTURE ON THE ISLAND OF MALTA 79 
 
 tance ahead. For my part, I should have liked to 
 remain in Valetta. They say that there is a 
 fine cathedral there, as well as a university, a pub- 
 lic library, and an armory full of relics, attached 
 to the palace." 
 
 " Perhaps we'll get a chance to visit those 
 places this evening — if we're allowed on shore." 
 
 " No, we're to be on board again at eight o'clock 
 sharp. I heard the order before we started. By 
 the way, where is Larry?" 
 
 "Back among the sailors, I suppose." 
 
 " I wish he would come up, and we could be all 
 together. Let us drop back and look for him," 
 said the young lieutenant. 
 
 The party had branched off on a side road, 
 which was somewhat rocky and narrow. Here 
 the houses were much scattered, and at a distance 
 could be seen the blue waters of the sea. Before 
 they could turn back, the command came to halt. 
 
 " "We shall remain here for two hours," said the 
 officer in charge. " During that time each man 
 will be allowed to go where he pleases, but he 
 must take care that no private property is invaded, 
 and no depredations of any kind will be permitted. 
 During our stay on English soil, I expect each 
 
80 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 man to act the part of a gentleman. Any offence 
 whatever will be punished heavily." 
 
 " That's plain enough," whispered Gilbert. " I 
 reckon that will sober those who have any inclina- 
 tion to 'get gay,' as the saying goes." 
 
 " It's pretty hard to keep them all in harness," 
 returned Ben, with a shake of his head. "I my- 
 self feel like a boy just out of school. Look at 
 that, now," and he pointed to where some soldiers 
 were climbing several trees like so many cats, 
 while others were doing circus tricks in the grass. 
 "When he's let loose like this, a man's a boy, 
 no matter how old in years he gets." 
 
 Pushing their way through the grove of trees, 
 the pair made their way to where a number of 
 the sailors were taking it easy, content to lie upon 
 Mother Earth and smoke their pipes, in preference 
 to tramping around in the sun. 
 
 "I don't see Larry anywhere," said the young 
 lieutenant, after a close look around. 
 
 " Oh, I suppose he has gone off with some of 
 the other tars," returned Gilbert. 
 
 " It's odd if he has, for I spoke to him about 
 our taking a walk together." 
 
 " He may be looking for us. It's no easy 
 
AN ADVENTURE ON THE ISLAND OF MALTA 81 
 
 matter to find anybody in such a big crowd as 
 this." 
 
 They walked around for half an hour, but with- 
 out catching sight of the young sailor. Then Gil- 
 bert proposed a walk to the cliff overlooking the 
 Mediterranean, and Ben reluctantly consented. 
 The view from the cliff was very fine, and it was 
 almost time to re-form companies when they came 
 back, each carrying some curious shells he had 
 picked up. 
 
 " No Larry yet," said Ben ; still he was not 
 alarmed, knowing that his younger brother was 
 forgetful at times, and in the habit of doing what- 
 ever came into his head first. Then the com- 
 panies began to form ; and presently the march 
 back to the city was begun. 
 
 On the main street there was another demon- 
 stration, and the garrison band came out to help 
 along the celebration. British sailors and soldiers 
 mingled with our own, as though they were 
 brothers in country as well as in blood. "Tell 
 you what, Anglo-Saxon blood counts for some- 
 thing," remarked Gilbert, as he viewed the scene, 
 and shook hands with several British soldiers with 
 whom he had become acquainted. 
 
82 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 "Right you are, sir," answered a tall lieutenant 
 of the Royal Guard. " Anglo-Saxon blood is 
 bound to rule the world. Good-by to you, and 
 the best of success at Manila ; " and so they 
 parted, with a rousing cheer on both sides. That 
 visit to Malta was one which those American 
 soldiers and sailors were bound never to forget. 
 
 It was dark when the last of the troops filed on 
 board of the transport. All were tired but happy. 
 It took some little time to restore order, and then, 
 contrary to Quartermaster Yarrow's expectation, a 
 close roll-call was ordered, and all hands were 
 lined up for that purpose. 
 
 The roll-call revealed the fact that a certain 
 Captain Alvord, of Company H, Larry Russell, 
 and Jack Biddle were missing. 
 
CHAPTER IX 
 
 THE PLOT COMES TO A TTTCAn 
 
 The march into the country behind the English 
 city of Valetta was one of great pleasure to Larry 
 and to Jack Biddle, especially so to the old sailor, 
 who had hardly set foot on shore for two years, 
 having been transferred directly from the Texas 
 to the transport. 
 
 "I love the sea," said Biddle, as they trudged 
 along — for old sailors cannot march, they having 
 too much of the "sea roll" in their legs. "But 
 once in a while I get a regular hankerin' after 
 land, and then I've got to go ashore or stand a 
 spell of sickness." 
 
 "You are not much different from all of us, 
 Jack," answered Larry, as he looked behind them. 
 ' ' What a crowd of natives are following us ! " 
 
 "I suppose they think we are a sight — like a 
 Wild West show," put in Mark Olney. "What 
 
 83 
 
84 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 are these natives anyway ? I can't understand a 
 word they say." 
 
 "Most of them speak Italian, I believe. But 
 Malta has had such a checkered career that the 
 people speak French, Spanish, Arabic, and half a 
 dozen combinations as well, including an English 
 that nobody but an experienced Britisher can 
 understand." 
 
 On they went. As they progressed, Larry tried 
 to get to the regiment of infantry, to hunt up 
 Ben, but the battery was between, and the road 
 was too narrow for his purpose. 
 
 The outing party, if I may call it such, had 
 scarcely come to a halt when Andy Possy ran up 
 to where Larry and Biddle had become somewhat 
 separated from the others. "Say, you fellows," 
 he said, " Quartermaster Yarrow wants to see 
 you." 
 
 " To see us ? " questioned Larry. " What about?" 
 
 " He's got something he wants the three of us 
 to do," answered the sly one. " He's over here," 
 — with a wave of his hand. "Come on." 
 
 "I didn't know as how we were to do any work 
 to-day," grumbled Jack Biddle ; nevertheless, he 
 followed Andy Possy, and Larry did the same. 
 
THE PLOT COMES TO A HEAD 85 
 
 The way was out of the grove to a side road 
 leading along the cliff already described. 
 
 " I guess he has gone on ahead," said Possy 
 when a certain spot was reached. "I left him 
 here." He shaded his face and looked up the 
 path. "Ah, there he is, waving us to come on." 
 
 After skirting the cliff for several hundred feet, 
 the road turned inland and ran up the rocky side 
 of a hill, at the top of which could be seen a 
 native hotel which commanded a superb view of 
 the Mediterranean Sea. " That's the place he 
 mentioned," said Possy. " There he is on the 
 veranda." 
 
 The climb up the hill was by no means easy, 
 the path being one that was but little used. By 
 the time the hotel was gained, Larry was pretty 
 well winded and glad enough to sit down. 
 
 " I'm sorry I had to make you come so far," 
 said Yarrow, in apparent sympathy. " But if this 
 trip pays what I think it will, it will be a few 
 dollars in both of your pockets." 
 
 " What do you want of us ? " demanded Jack 
 Biddle. 
 
 " I'll explain in a few minutes, Biddle. But first 
 we will have something to drink — at my expense." 
 
86 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 "Well, I won't object to that, quartermaster. 
 I'm uncommon dry," responded the old sailor, his 
 manner softening a little. 
 
 "I don't drink liquor, but I wouldn't object to 
 something else," added Larry. 
 
 " Ginger ale or soda water ? " 
 
 "Soda water will do very well. But won't we 
 have to hurry in getting back, sir ? " 
 
 " No, we have an hour and a half yet. We are 
 not to start so early. That notice given out was 
 only a bluff, to keep the men from going too far 
 off. Possy, get the drinks from that Englishman 
 inside. Get what you want for yourself and a 
 rum punch for Biddle and for me." 
 
 As Andy Possy understood the quartermaster's 
 plan perfectly, he disappeared instantly, to be gone 
 the best part of ten minutes. A waiter, with a 
 trayful of glasses, followed him, but it was Possy 
 who set around the various refreshments. 
 
 Larry found the soda water both warm and bit- 
 ter. Yet he was as dry as anybody, and quickly 
 drained the glass. Biddle lingered over his liquor, 
 but presently that, too, disappeared, together with 
 the other drinks of the party. 
 
 "Now we'll take a walk to the buildings back 
 
THE PLOT COMES TO A HEAD 87 
 
 of this hotel, and I'll show you what brought me 
 here," said Quartermaster Yarrow, as he eyed 
 Larry and Biddle keenly. Possy was behind the 
 pair and nodded significantly. 
 
 " All right ; I'm ready, sir," answered Larry, as 
 he arose and stretched himself. Biddle also got 
 up, yawning at the same time. Possy caught him 
 by the arm, and they walked off together, while 
 Yarrow ranged up beside Larry. 
 
 Unsuspecting the plot against them, the two 
 friends allowed themselves to be led along another 
 rocky path until the ruins of an old monastery 
 were reached. By this time Biddle was yawning 
 more than ever, while for some reason Larry could 
 scarcely keep his eyes open. 
 
 " Oh, how sleepy I am all at once ! " murmured 
 the young sailor. " I can hardly put one foot be- 
 fore the other." 
 
 " The climb has tired you," answered Yarrow. 
 " Here, sit down for a few minutes," and he led 
 the way to a grassy nook in the shade of a crum- 
 bled stone wall. Larry was perfectly willing to 
 rest, and hardly had his body touched the sward 
 than he closed his eyes. He tried to rouse up, 
 but the effort was a failure, and soon he was in 
 
88 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 the soundest kind of a sleep — the sleep of the 
 drugged. 
 
 " Hello, Russell is resting ; guess I'll rest a bit, 
 too," cried Jack Biddle, on coming up. " Quarter- 
 master, that punch was powerful stuff." 
 
 " So it was, Biddle, but it touched the right 
 spot, eh ? " 
 
 "It's made me heavy-eyed — I don't feel just 
 right." 
 
 " Perhaps the walk in the sun affected you — 
 after being on shipboard so long." 
 
 "That must be it." Jack Biddle scratched his 
 head. " But I never felt so befuddled before. I — 
 I can't see straight — and I ain't full either." 
 
 " Of course you are not full. You must be sick. 
 Want any medicine ? " 
 
 " I — I — don't know. Everything is goin' round 
 — and — and — That liquor — Yarrow, did you — 
 you play any — game — " Jack Biddle could not 
 finish, and with his suspicion that all was not as it 
 should be he keeled over insensible. 
 
 " The drug has done the business," muttered 
 Andy Possy, with a satisfied gleam in his cat-like 
 eyes. "I told you it wouldn't fail, quarter- 
 master." 
 
THE PLOT COMES TO A HEAD 89 
 
 "You don't think it will kill either of them?" 
 demanded Yarrow, nervously. 
 
 "Kill 'em? Not at all. Why, that game has 
 been played on the Bowery in New York a thou- 
 sand times. I knew just how much to give each 
 of 'em." 
 
 " And how long do you suppose they'll sleep ? " 
 
 " Till to-morrow morning, most likely. Come, 
 let us get 'em out of the way before anybody sees 
 them." 
 
 Approaching Larry, the rascals picked up the 
 unconscious form and started into the ruins with 
 it. Passing through a huge archway and across 
 a deserted courtyard, they entered an apartment 
 which was gloomy, dusty, and covered with cob- 
 webs. 
 
 "This is good enough," said Yarrow. "Drop 
 him." 
 
 "I was going to put 'em both in the cellar," 
 grinned Possy. " Some tourists might come here 
 and spoil our game." 
 
 " Is the cellar a fit place ? " 
 
 "Good enough for them." 
 
 " All right then. But hurry up, or we'll get left 
 ourselves." 
 
90 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 Passing through the apartment, they came to a 
 long, low hall. At one side was a flight of stone 
 steps leading downward. The steps were covered 
 with rubbish and they had to move with care, for 
 fear of slipping and landing at the bottom in a heap. 
 
 " Here we are," said the Cat, at length, and led 
 the way into what had once been a fine underground 
 apartment, but which was now little better than a 
 hole in the ground. Larry was placed on a pile 
 of musty straw ; and the two hastened back for 
 Jack Biddle. The old sailor was heavy, and Yar- 
 row found himself almost winded when the job 
 was completed. 
 
 "Now good-by, and may you remain on the 
 island of Malta for a long while to come," remarked 
 the quartermaster, as he shook his fist at the sleep- 
 ing forms. Possy said nothing, but came up the 
 stairs behind his superior, and at the door he paused 
 long enough to close and bolt the barrier. 
 
 " Going to lock them in, eh ? " said the petty offi- 
 cer. " It's all right enough, but they may starve to 
 death." 
 
 "Then let 'em starve," was Possy's heartless re- 
 sponse. " Come on," and he caught the quarter- 
 master by the arm. In a minute more they were 
 
THE PLOT COMES TO A HEAD 91 
 
 on their way back to the grove where the others 
 from the transport were resting. Before reaching 
 there, however, they took care to separate, — Yarrow 
 joining the other officers, and Possy finding his way 
 among the sailors. 
 
 "Possy, have you seen anything of Larry Rus- 
 sell ? " It was Mark Olney who asked the question, 
 just after the rascal had arrived. 
 
 The unexpected question startled the Cat. " Why 
 — er — what's that ? " he stammered. 
 
 " Have you seen anything of Larry Russell ? His 
 brother, the lieutenant, is looking for him." 
 
 " Oh, I guess he's around somewhere," growled 
 Possy. " I ain't keepin' track of everybody that's 
 here. Let his brother find him if he wants him." 
 And to avoid further questioning, he hurried off, 
 and saw to it during the remainder of the outing 
 that he did not come in contact with either Ben or 
 Gilbert. 
 
CHAPTER X 
 
 STRANDED AMONG STRANGERS 
 
 " Oh my, how my head aches ! " 
 
 It was Larry who uttered the remark, as he sat 
 up in the darkness, stretched himself, and rubbed 
 his eyes. For several minutes he could scarcely 
 collect his scattered senses. Then the truth dawned 
 upon him. 
 
 "I went to sleep on the grass beside that wall," 
 he mused. "Where can I be now? Certainly not 
 on shipboard." He felt of the stone flooring and 
 straw beneath him. " Well, if this isn't the queer- 
 est yet ! " 
 
 Presently his eyes became accustomed to the 
 gloom, and at a distance he made out several small 
 windows, each heavily barred. Then his gaze 
 turned and he saw Jack Biddle lying but a few 
 feet away, and breathing heavily. 
 
 " Tack ! Jack ! Wake up ! Something is the 
 92 
 
STRANDED AMONG STRANGERS 93 
 
 matter," he called out, and going to his friend he 
 shook him vigorously. 
 
 "Wha-what's that?" came in drowsy tones. 
 " Why can't you let me sleep a bit longer ? How 
 many bells is it?" 
 
 " Never mind about the bells ; we must get back 
 to the transport," interrupted the youth. " If we 
 don't get back, we'll be left. Come, get up," and 
 he pulled Jack by the arm. 
 
 Slowly the old sailor arose, as much bewildered 
 as Larry had been. But presently he gave a 
 snort. " Where is Yarrow and that Possy ? " he 
 asked sharply. " They are responsible for this. 
 That liquor was drugged, and I know it." 
 
 " Drugged ? " 
 
 "That's what I said, lad. It's a trick on us. 
 We were fools to trust the quartermaster and the 
 Cat. Where are we?" 
 
 " I don't know. Some place that looks like a 
 cellar." 
 
 "They must have brought us here. Oh, the 
 villains ! Just wait till I get my hands on 'em, 
 that's all ! " 
 
 " But I don't understand, Jack. Why would 
 they bring us here ? " 
 
94 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 "It's as plain as day. Possy is down on me, 
 and the quartermaster is down on both of us. 
 They thought it would be a fine thing to leave us 
 in Malta, stranded." 
 
 " Can that be possible ? " cried Larry. He 
 thought for a moment. "It must be so. That 
 soda water was very bitter, — not a bit natural, — 
 and I felt sleepy right after drinking it. Oh, 
 Jack, what shall we do ? " 
 
 " Get out of here, and see if we can't catch the 
 transport before she sails," was the quick reply. 
 " Come on ; where's the door ? " 
 
 They started on a hunt and the door was speedily 
 found. Try their best they could not budge the 
 barrier, which was a massive affair of hard wood 
 and several inches thick. 
 
 " We're locked in," said Larry, with a groan. 
 " Now what's to do ? " 
 
 " Maybe we can crawl through one of the win- 
 dows," suggested the old sailor. Making their 
 way to the nearest of these openings they tried it, 
 but without success. 
 
 " We're prisoners," said the boy. " I wonder 
 how long we have been here." 
 
 " I can't say, Larry. It is still daylight ; that is 
 
STRANDED AMONG STRANGERS 95 
 
 one satisfaction. I don't believe the transport will 
 leave Valetta harbor until to-morrow morning." 
 
 From one window they went to another, until 
 they found one where several of the bars seemed 
 to be loose. With a strong twist Jack Biddle 
 brought one of the irons from its fastenings. 
 Using this as a lever he pried off a second bar ; 
 and the way of escape was opened. 
 
 Coming into the outer air at a spot not far dis- 
 tant from the path leading to the hotel, they saw 
 that they had been carried into the monastery by 
 Yarrow and his tool. " It's no fit place for sailors 
 to be in," growled Biddle. " I never want to see 
 it ag'in ! " And Larry agreed with him. 
 
 They had covered about half the distance to the 
 hotel when the youth set up a sudden shout. " Oh, 
 Jack, we've slept all day and all night ! " 
 
 " What's that ! " demanded the old tar, quickly. 
 
 "This is not the same day — it's the next day. 
 See, the sun is in the east, not the west." 
 
 "By ginger, that's so! " burst from the old tar. 
 "That drug was more powerful than I thought." 
 His face fell. "Larry, the jig is up." 
 
 "You mean that the transport has left us be- 
 hind?" 
 
96 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 " Exactly." 
 
 " Would those in charge do that ? " 
 
 "Perhaps they don't know we are missing — the 
 quartermaster wouldn't report the case." 
 
 " To be sure he wouldn't. But — but — I don't 
 believe Ben would sail without me." 
 
 "He couldn't help himself — he's as much under 
 orders as anybody, even if he is a lieutenant. Our 
 only hope is that the transport has been delayed, 
 for some reason or another. Come on." 
 
 " Shall we stop at the hotel and inquire about 
 Yarrow and Possy ? " 
 
 " What good will that do ? No ; the sooner we 
 get back to the dock, the better." 
 
 " Perhaps we can get somebody to drive us 
 down," suggested the youth, as they came out on 
 a road skirting the hotel property. "That would 
 save us an hour or two." 
 
 "I haven't a cent to pay for a ride." 
 
 "I have money with me. And here comes a 
 turnout, now," went on the boy, as a native wagon 
 drawn by a pure Arabian horse came into sight. 
 On the front seat sat a dark-looking man dressed 
 in a peasant's costume. " Hi, there, stop I " he 
 caller 1 out. 
 
STRANDED AMONG STRANGERS 97 
 
 The native did as requested, and running to 
 him, Larry mentioned what was wanted. But at 
 this the man merely shook his head and answered 
 in a patois which to the Americans was totally 
 unintelligible. 
 
 " Here's a pickle ; he can't talk English, and I 
 can't talk his language, Jack." 
 
 "Then we don't ride with him, lad." 
 
 " Hold on, I'll try another plan," continued the 
 youth. He brought a silver dollar from his pocket. 
 "Valetta," he said, pointing to himself and his 
 companion, then to the carriage and then to the 
 silver piece, which he thrust forward. Then he 
 went through the motion of running and said 
 Valetta again and added "Americanos." 
 
 The native now understood and laughed. Jump- 
 ing to the ground, he helped them into the carriage. 
 "Valetta, seiior," he said, and hopped back to his 
 seat. With a crack of a long whip the horse was 
 started up, and off they bowled down a smooth 
 road leading straight into the capital. The way 
 was a pleasant one, lined with stately trees, shrub- 
 bery, and pretty residences, with here and there a 
 patch of green fields. Under other circumstances 
 Larry would have enjoyed the ride, but now he 
 
98 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 was too much disturbed in mind to do but little 
 excepting to urge the horse forward whenever the 
 steed seemed inclined to drop into a walk. 
 
 It was one o'clock in the afternoon when the city 
 was gained and they alighted at a spot near the 
 shipping. Having paid the driver, they turned to 
 several English soldiers who stood near and who 
 had watched their coming with interest. 
 
 " Your ship sailed about two hours ago," said one 
 of the soldiers, in reply to Larry's almost breathless 
 question. " So you were left behind ? Too bad ! " 
 
 " You are certain she has gone ? " put in Jack 
 Biddle. 
 
 " Oh, yes ; we fellows saw her off ourselves, didn't 
 we, Garwick ? " 
 
 " So we did, Fenton. Yes, she is gone and well 
 out of sight by this time." 
 
 The hearts of both Larry and his old friend sank 
 within them. Here was " a state of things " truly. 
 What was to be done next? 
 
 " We're stranded, just as I feared," said Biddle. 
 "And I haven't a cent." 
 
 " I've got three dollars and a half. But that isn't 
 the thing. We don't want to stay here," rejoined 
 Larry, desperately. 
 
STRANDED AMONG STRANGERS 99 
 
 " We'll have to stay, seeing that we can't whistle 
 the transport back. But what we are to do here 
 is more than I can settle, just now." 
 
 "I wonder if there are any other American 
 vessels here ? " 
 
 " Possibly there are, — but none bound for 
 Manila." 
 
 "Well, we'll have to do something," groaned 
 Larry. 
 
 In a disconsolate frame of mind the pair strolled 
 down to the dock where they had landed the day 
 before. The English soldiers followed them, offer- 
 ing their sincere sympathy. "We'll take care 
 of you, boys, if nothing better turns up," said one. 
 "You won't be left out in the cold; never fear." 
 
 "That is very kind of you," answered Larry, 
 while Jack Biddle nodded. " But we would rather 
 get back to our ship, if the thing can be managed." 
 He turned suddenly to his companion. " Our 
 transport will have to stop at Port Said for the 
 necessary papers to go through the Suez Canal. 
 Perhaps we can get aboard some fast vessel bound 
 for that port and overtake our ship." 
 
 " Creation, Larry, that's an idee ! And here's an- 
 other idee," went on Biddle. " Perhaps we can 
 
100 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 telegraph to Port Said that we are safe and coming 
 along. If we do that, they can't court-martial us as 
 deserters, — which they might do if we stayed 
 here." 
 
 " The thing of it is, to find the ship, Jack. Let 
 us lose no time in making inquiries." 
 
 Larry led the way along the shipping, and Biddle 
 followed. A dozen docks were stopped at, but the 
 only ship they could find bound for Port Said was a 
 Turkish craft that was not to sail for three days. 
 
 " That doesn't look encouraging — " began Larry, 
 when he stopped short, as he saw one of the English 
 soldiers they had first met, running toward them. 
 "What is it?" he asked. 
 
 " Here is a chance for you to rejoin your ship," 
 answered the soldier, quickly. " The steam launch, 
 Queen, is to take an American officer out. She's 
 going to sail at once. Hurry up, this way ! " 
 
 Larry waited to hear no more, nor did Biddle, but 
 both struck out after the Briton with all speed. 
 Soon another dock was gained, at the foot of which 
 lay a heavy steam launch, ready to cast off. On the 
 deck stood an American officer whom Larry recog- 
 nized as the captain of one of the infantry compa- 
 nies of Ben's regiment. 
 
M Do you men belong to quarter-master Yarrow's squad ? " — Page ioi. 
 
STRANDED AMONG STRANGERS 101 
 
 " Wait a moment, please ! " he cried out. " Are 
 you bound for our transport ? " 
 
 " I am," was the ready reply. " What is the 
 matter with you?" 
 
 " We were drugged and left behind. Won't you 
 kindly take us with you ? " 
 
 " Yes, please take us along, Captain Alvord," put 
 in Jack Biddle, who knew the officer by name. 
 " It's not our fault that we were left ashore." 
 
 " Do you men belong to Quartermaster Yarrow's 
 squad ? " 
 
 " We do," came from both. 
 
 " All right then, jump aboard." And as they did 
 so, Captain Alvord continued : " I was left ashore 
 myself, but I am bound to get back to my command 
 somehow. It's lucky you found me when you did. 
 We sail at once." 
 
 The commander of Company H was as good as his 
 word, for inside of ten minutes the Queen had left 
 the harbor of Valetta behind and was steaming with 
 all swiftness in the direction which the United 
 States transport was supposed to have taken. 
 
CHAPTER XI 
 
 THE EXPOSURE OF THE GUILTY ONES 
 
 My readers can well imagine how dismayed 
 Ben was when he found out that Larry was miss- 
 ing. " It's too bad ! " he said, soberly, to Gilbert. 
 " Now what has become of him, and of that Jack 
 Biddle, do you suppose ? " 
 
 " I'm sure I can't say, Ben. It's certainly dis- 
 heartening. And Captain Alvord is missing too. 
 I wonder what the colonel will say to that ? " 
 
 " Captain Alvord is rich, and can take care of him- 
 self. He enlisted only for the glory of it. But 
 with Larry it is different. Besides, I'm certain 
 he wouldn't stay behind of his own free will." 
 
 " Oh, I know he wouldn't. It's certainly a 
 mystery." 
 
 The news created considerable excitement through- 
 out the transport, and searching parties "were at once 
 despatched to bring the missing ones aboard, if they 
 could be found. To divert suspicions, Quarter- 
 
 102 
 
THE EXPOSURE OF THE GUILTY ONES 103 
 
 master Yarrow went ashore himself, taking Andy 
 Possy with him. 
 
 " We'll be snre to find them," muttered the 
 quartermaster, grimly. 
 
 The transport was not to sail until ten o'clock 
 the following morning, and the searching parties 
 remained out the best part of the night, while others 
 went out after breakfast, and with them Ben and 
 Gilbert. On Captain Alvord's account the sailing 
 was delayed until after noon. 
 
 At last, however, the commander in charge of 
 the expedition said he would wait no longer. "The 
 sailors have probably deserted," he remarked to 
 those under him. Concerning Captain Alvord 
 he was silent, but he thought the rich young vol- 
 unteer had become tired of military life and taken 
 "French leave." "He'll skip out for Italy and 
 spend the winter in Rome, and then trust to his 
 wealth to get him out of the scrape," was the 
 commander's comment. He had heard of scions 
 of wealth doing similar things before. Not all 
 those who obtained commissions from our govern- 
 ment had their hearts in the work. 
 
 If Ben had been sad before, he was utterly down- 
 cast when the transport sailed, and had it not been 
 
104 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 for his high sense of duty he would have deserted 
 in order to trace his younger brother's where- 
 abouts. " I don't like this at all," he said to his 
 chum, but, much as he wished to do so, Gilbert 
 could give him no consolation. 
 
 But good tidings were close at hand. The 
 transport had started to run for Port Said under 
 a full head of steam, but a slight breakdown in the 
 engine-room necessitated a slowing up, and this 
 enabled the Queen to come within sight before 
 sundown. In the meantime Larry and Jack Biddle 
 had been treated to a first-class dinner by Captain 
 Alvord, who had listened to their stories with 
 interest and in return had made a most astonishing 
 revelation. 
 
 " The steam launch is hailing us ! " was the cry 
 that rang throughout the transport, bringing many 
 soldiers and sailors to the deck. Glasses were 
 brought into use, and it was seen that the launch 
 contained half a dozen persons, besides an American 
 officer and two sailors. 
 
 " It must be Larry ! " cried Ben. " As quickly 
 as he could, he got out his own glasses. "It is, 
 and the others are Biddle and Captain Alvord." 
 
 " Hurrah ! Our men are coming back ! " 
 
THE EXPOSURE OF THE GUILTY ONES 106 
 
 shouted Gilbert, and the cheer was taken up on 
 all sides. Soon the launch came alongside, and 
 the lost ones climbed on board by means of a 
 rope ladder. Then the Queen returned to Malta, 
 her captain having previously been handsomely 
 paid by the wealthy American. 
 
 When Quartermaster Yarrow saw Larry and 
 Biddle approaching, his heart sank like a lump 
 of lead, and he lost no time in drawing out of 
 sight. With him went Possy, and both were as 
 white as a sheet. 
 
 "The game is up, Andy, and you are caught." 
 
 "I reckon it is you that is caught," stammered 
 the tool, in astonishment and dismay. "It was 
 your plot to get rid of 'em." 
 
 "No, it was your plot," growled Yarrow. Each 
 wanted to shift the burden to the other's shoulders. 
 
 A hot discussion followed, in the midst of which 
 several sailors came along and told the quarter- 
 master that he and the Cat were wanted in the 
 cabin. "And I reckon it will be putty warm in 
 there," sneered one of the seamen, and ran off 
 before Yarrow could stop him. 
 
 When the quartermaster and Possy reached 
 the cabin, they found half a dozen of the higher 
 
106 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 officers there, along with those who had just come 
 on board. 
 
 " These two sailors make a serious charge against 
 you, quartermaster," said the officer in command, 
 General Kenwood. " They say you drugged them, 
 or had them drugged by your companion, Andrew 
 Possy." 
 
 " I had them drugged ? " cried Yarrow, in pre- 
 tended surprise. " This is news to me. Why 
 should I have them drugged ? " 
 
 " In order that they might be left behind in a 
 strange country, without money and without 
 friends." 
 
 "It's fools' talk, sir. Why, I went out to hunt 
 for them, and so did Possy." 
 
 "Russell and Biddle tell a strange story, and 
 this story is substantiated in part by what Cap- 
 tain Alvord saw." 
 
 " And what did he see ? " 
 
 " He was at the Hotel Nelson when you stopped 
 there, and he saw Possy get the drinks and put 
 something into two of the glasses — those un- 
 doubtedly given to Russell and Biddle." 
 
 "I had nothing to do with that, sir. If Possy 
 did anything of the kind, he did it on his own 
 account. I — " 
 
THE EXPOSURE OF THE GUILTY ONES 107 
 
 " I didn t do anything on my own account," 
 burst out the tool, in terror, and anxious to clear 
 his own record. " Whatever I did was done by 
 Quartermaster Yarrow's orders." 
 
 " And what did you do ? " 
 
 Andy Possy hesitated and looked first at Gen- 
 eral Kenwood, then at his two accusers, and then 
 at his companion in crime. "I — " he began, 
 when the quartermaster cut him short. 
 
 " Don't tell any falsehoods about me," burst out 
 Yarrow. "I won't stand it." 
 
 "I ain't going to get into trouble for nothin'," 
 returned Possy. "The — a — the stuff I put into 
 the glasses was — er — medicine that the quarter- 
 master gave me." 
 
 " It's not true. I positively gave him nothing," 
 shouted Yarrow, red in the face. 
 
 " Quartermaster, you will keep quiet while Possy 
 tells his story," interposed General Kenwood, 
 sternly. 
 
 "Yes, but see here, general — " 
 
 "Not another word, or I will have the sergeant- 
 at-arms place you under arrest." 
 
 At these words the quartermaster staggered back. 
 He wanted to say something more, but the words 
 
108 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 died away on his lips. Then the general in charge 
 turned to Possy. 
 
 The tool was "badly rattled," to use a popular 
 phrase, and for several seconds could say but little. 
 Then the story he told was so improbable that 
 nobody believed him. Upon a cross-examination 
 he broke down utterly. 
 
 " General, don't be hard on me, and I'll tell you 
 everything," he whined, and then gave a fairly 
 clear statement of facts, leaving out only that he 
 had suggested the drugging to Yarrow. 
 
 While Possy was talking, two sailors came in, 
 and word was passed to General Kenwood that 
 they had something important to say. 
 
 " "Well, what is it, my man ? " asked the general, 
 as soon as he had finished with the Cat, as he 
 turned to one of the newcomers. 
 
 "If you please, sir, we just heard the quarter- 
 master and Possy quarrelling," answered one of 
 the tars. " Each was blaming the other for what 
 they had done." 
 
 "Tell me what was said." 
 
 The sailor did so, as nearly as he could remem- 
 ber, and the second tar corroborated his story. This 
 tallied very nearly with what Possy had confessed, 
 
THE EXPOSURE OF THE GUILTY ONES 109 
 
 and in the minds of all there was no longer any 
 doubt but that Quartermaster Yarrow and the sly 
 one were equally guilty. 
 
 As soon as this was made clear the cabin was 
 vacated by all but General Kenwood and the other 
 officers and the guilty ones. The commandant of 
 the expedition then turned to the man who had 
 had charge of the sailors. 
 
 " Quartermaster Yarrow, you have been guilty of 
 a grave crime," he said sternly. " You have tried 
 to get two of our sailors into trouble, and but for 
 a lucky accident to a carriage whereby Captain 
 Alvord was detained at Malta, these sailors would 
 have been left behind, in a strange land, without 
 money or without friends, and with the word 
 ' Deserted ' written after each name on the muster- 
 roll. I am not in a position to try you by court- 
 martial, leaving that to the naval authorities when 
 we arrive at Manila, but in the meantime I shall 
 place you under arrest." 
 
 " Arrest ! " gasped Yarrow. 
 
 "Yes, arrest; and I shall, moreover, strip you 
 of all insignia of rank. You, in my individual 
 opinion, are not fit to wear the stripes of a quarter- 
 master." 
 
110 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 " Well, if you arrest me, who is going to com- 
 mand the sailors ? " 
 
 " The next to you in rank." 
 
 "There doesn't happen to be any." Quarter- 
 master Yarrow bit his lip. "I guess you had 
 better leave me in charge until we get to Manila, 
 general. I don't know as this proceeding is regu- 
 lar. Your authority is only over the soldiers." 
 
 " ' And over all others taking passage on the 
 transport,' " returned General Kenwood, quoting 
 from his orders, and at the same time pointing to 
 the line in question. "If there is no other officer 
 among you, I will place the oldest sailor in com- 
 mand, providing he seems competent." 
 " Why, the oldest sailor is Jack Biddle ! " 
 "Indeed! Then I must have a talk with him." 
 " You would put him in my place ? " cried Yarrow, 
 bitterly. The blow was almost too much for him. 
 " And why not, if his record is a clean one ? " 
 "And what are you going to do with me?" 
 " Place you on your good behavior until we reach 
 Manila." 
 
 " And will you do the same with me ? " put in 
 Possy, eagerly. He had had a vision of six or eight 
 weeks in a hot brig, on prison diet. 
 
THE EXPOSURE OF THE GUILTY ONES 111 
 
 "Will you promise to behave yourself?" 
 
 "I will, sir." 
 
 "Very well, I will let you go at that. But re- 
 member," added General Kenwood, impressively, 
 "I shall keep an eye on both of you, and at the 
 least sign of wrongdoing your liberty shall be cut 
 off. And another thing: if this transport makes 
 any more stops, both of you are to remain aboard 
 ship." 
 
 "I can't go ashore?" questioned Yarrow. 
 
 "No; both of you must remain aboard until I 
 place you in Admiral Dewey's charge." 
 
 With these words the quartermaster and his 
 former tool were dismissed, — to get into a quarrel 
 of words and blows later on. Each punished the 
 other quite severely, and for a week after Yarrow 
 walked around with a swollen nose, while Possy 
 wore a black patch over his left eye. But neither 
 said anything of the encounter, fearful that close 
 confinement would follow. 
 
CHAPTER XII 
 
 THROUGH THE SUEZ CANAL TO THE RED SEA 
 
 "I've news for you, Jack. You are to com- 
 mand our party after this. I just got the word 
 from Captain Alvord, who received it from General 
 Kenwood." 
 
 "Me command?" cried the old tar. "Why, 
 how's that?" 
 
 "There are no officers beside Yarrow, and you 
 are the oldest sailor. Allow me to congratulate 
 you, Commander Biddle." 
 
 " Well, by creation ! " ejaculated Biddle. " This 
 gits me, Larry. Why, I never did any command- 
 ing before." 
 
 "No, but you'll be all right, Jack. Now, be 
 sure and make us toe the mark." 
 
 Biddle's face took on a comical look. "All 
 right, if I must, I must, an' there's an end on't," 
 he returned. " But this knocks me, yes, it does. 
 Won't Yarrow be glad to know it ! " 
 
 112 
 
THROUGH THE SUEZ CANAL TO THE RED SEA 113 
 
 " He and Possy are to have their liberty until 
 we reach Manila. We must keep our eyes open 
 and watch them." 
 
 " Right you are, lad. No more funny work 
 around Jack Biddle. After this I'll make sure of 
 what I am drinking." 
 
 Soon after this General Kenwood came to see 
 the sailors and to have a talk with Biddle, after 
 which the old tar called his new command together 
 and put them through a drill for the military 
 man's benefit. Biddle was really an excellent 
 man-o'-war's man and deserved an office more 
 than Yarrow did, and General Kenwood expressed 
 himself well satisfied with the new order of things. 
 Both Yarrow and Possy tried to get out of sight, 
 but this was not allowed, and the ex-quartermaster 
 and his tool were made to drill with the others, 
 much to the former's disgust. 
 
 The transport was now running directly for 
 Port Said, which is situated at the northern 
 entrance to the Suez Canal. As a whole the 
 weather was delightful, although it rained several 
 times. But the cold wave which had been en- 
 countered on the Atlantic was a thing of the past, 
 even though it was drawing close to Christmas. 
 
114 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 "I'd like to know something about the Suez 
 Canal," remarked Larry. " I know it connects the 
 Mediterranean with the Red Sea, and that Port 
 Said is at one end and Suez at the other, and that 
 is all I do know. Of course it is not such a canal 
 as we have in New York State and elsewhere." 
 
 "Hardly," said Gilbert, to whom he was speak- 
 ing. "I was reading up on the point. This 
 canal is eighty-five miles long, and is cut through 
 sand and almost solid rock. The average width is 
 three hundred feet at the top and seventy-five feet 
 at the bottom, and the water is supposed to be 
 from twenty-six to thirty feet deep. Each end is 
 extended out into the sea for a long distance, to 
 keep the channel from filling up, big stone walls 
 being built for that purpose." 
 
 " Such a canal must have cost a lot of money, 
 Gilbert." 
 
 " Something like fifty million dollars — ■ and it 
 keeps on costing a good bit each year for repairs 
 and the like. But even so, it's a good investment, 
 for lots of ships use this canal in preference to sail- 
 ing around the southern coast of Africa, and of 
 course everybody who goes through has to pay." 
 
 " Do you know what they charge ? " put in Ben, 
 
THROUGH THE SUEZ CANAL TO THE RED SEA 115 
 
 who was as much interested in the subject as any 
 one. 
 
 " For boats the charge is ten francs per ton and 
 for passengers ten francs per head." 
 
 " Let me see ; a franc is about nineteen cents, so 
 the rate of fare for each of us will be one dollar and 
 ninety cents. As we are carrying over sixteen hun- 
 dred soldiers and sailors that will mean over three 
 thousand dollars to the canal company, — not to 
 speak of what the captain will have to pay for the 
 vessel. No wonder the canal is a good thing." 
 
 " Yes, but even if it costs five or six thousand 
 dollars to get through, that is cheaper than going 
 around the Cape of Good Hope," said Gilbert. He 
 paused for a moment, "Do you fellows know that 
 when we reach Port Said we'll be close to Palestine 
 and only two or three hundred miles from Jerusa- 
 lem?" 
 
 " I'd like to spend Christmas there ! " cried Larry. 
 
 " So should I," rejoined Ben. " A Christmas in 
 Jerusalem would be something to talk about when 
 a fellow got home again." His face grew sober. 
 " But we are on a different mission now, and must 
 do our duty, 'rendering unto Caesar what is 
 Caesar's ' ; " and there the talk dropped. 
 
116 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 Before the canal had been built Port Said had 
 been a village of small importance, but now it was a 
 city of ten thousand inhabitants, and when the 
 transport glided into the harbor, our boys were 
 astonished at the shipping assembled there, the water 
 being a regular forest of masts and smoke-stacks. 
 The transj»ort remained at Port Said but four hours, 
 and then started for Suez at speed of six knots an 
 hour, faster travelling by steam being prohibited. 
 
 "What a dreary stretch of country," was Ben's 
 remark, as he surveyed a wide expanse of sand. 
 " And how hot it looks." 
 
 " They have very little rain here," answered an 
 officer who had visited the vicinity before. " Some- 
 times they don't have a storm in one or two 
 years." 
 
 " And what do they do for drinking water ? " 
 
 " They have a fresh-water canal extending from 
 the River Nile to Temsah Lake, close by here. But 
 lots of folks suffer inland, nevertheless." 
 
 "That wouldn't suit me. I'd rather live in the 
 United States." 
 
 " No better country, my lad, and you'll find it so, 
 even if you rove the world over," replied the officer, 
 earnestly. 
 
THROUGH THE SUEZ CAFAL TO THE EED SEA 117 
 
 At Suez the prospect was no better than inland. 
 The walled city, inhabited by Egyptians, English, 
 French, and many other people, lay in a very desert 
 of sand which seemed to glow like molten lead even 
 in this December sun. Beyond was the Gulf of 
 Suez, leading directly into the Red Sea. 
 
 "We're in the land of sand," observed Larry. 
 " No Arabian or Egyptian life for me, — although 
 I shouldn't mind spending a little time in the Holy 
 Land, looking around." 
 
 The Gulf of Suez left behind, the transport 
 headed directly down the Red Sea, past Suakin 
 and other points of more or less importance, to 
 the Straits of Bab-el-Mandeb and the Gulf of 
 Aden, a journey of over a thousand miles. 
 
 " Merry Christmas ! " was the greeting which 
 went the round one clear morning, just before the 
 straits were reached. " And how do you like 
 Christmas in the summer time ? " 
 
 "It feels mighty queer," said Ben. "This is 
 more like Decoration Day weather. I wonder if 
 they ever had any snow here." 
 
 " I don't believe so," answered Gilbert. " But 
 they have sandstorms, and they are more cutting 
 than snow and hail combined." 
 
118 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 It was " a green Christmas without greens," as 
 Jack Biddle put it, yet both soldiers and sailors 
 managed to amuse themselves in various ways. 
 Early in the morning there was a church service 
 for those who cared to attend, and at noon Gen- 
 eral Kenwood astonished and delighted all hands 
 by giving them a turkey and cranberry sauce din- 
 ner — something nobody had dreamed of getting. 
 Bags of nuts and fruit from Suez, not to mention 
 extra large Arabian dates, were also forthcoming, 
 and in the afternoon pretty much all discipline 
 was relaxed, and the band gave a concert of popu- 
 lar airs. 
 
 " We're not so badly off," remarked Mark Olney. 
 " I wouldn't mind spending another Christmas like 
 this." 
 
 " Sure an' at this rate I wouldn't be afther 
 mindin' Christmas twict a year," put in Dan Casey. 
 " I niver had so many good things before in me 
 life ! " 
 
 " Ton't you vos eat too much, or maybe you vos 
 die of indigestion," said Carl Stummer, with his 
 mouth full of mince pie. "Dake your time like I 
 vos do." 
 
 " Take me time ! " roared Casey. " Sure an' it's 
 
THROUGH THE SUEZ CANAL TO THE RED SEA 119 
 
 yourself as is try in' to ate a whole pie to onct. 
 Stummer, if yez don't look out yez will get so fat 
 the gineral will make yez run on ahead av the 
 regiment an' fall down for a breastworks whin the 
 inimy appears ! " And at this sally a laugh went up. 
 
 "Why do they call this sea Red?" asked Larry, 
 some time later. 
 
 " That's a disputed question," answered Gilbert. 
 "Some say from the red coral and rocks to be 
 found here, and others say from the seaweed that 
 at times gives it something of that color. The 
 Greeks called it the Red Sea from the earliest 
 times. Do you notice how carefully we are run- 
 ning? That's because of the coral reefs. They 
 bother even the native pilots." 
 
 " So we are coming to ' India's coral strand ' ? " 
 quoted Larry. "Well, I'll not be sorry when we 
 strike the Indian Ocean and steam direct for the 
 Philippines. But we have still six or seven thou- 
 sand miles to go." 
 
 "I want to get on land — among the soldiers 
 around Manila," said Ben. "I wish we could 
 get news from there." 
 
 " One or two of the officers got papers at Port 
 Said — English publications. " 
 
120 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 " Yes, but the news in them was most unsatis- 
 factory, simply stating that both sides at Manila 
 seemed to be playing a waiting game." 
 
 "Well, we'll know all about it in a few weeks 
 more," rejoined Gilbert. "Perhaps we'll get news 
 at Colombo, on the island of Ceylon, if we stop 
 there, — or at Singapore." 
 
 The run through the Gulf of Aden into the 
 Indian Ocean, or, more properly perhaps, the Ara- 
 bian Sea, was made without particular incident. 
 They were now down to only ten degrees 
 above the equator, and New Year's Day proved a 
 "scorcher," to use Ben's term of expressing it. 
 The only times that it was cool were early in the 
 morning and late in the evening. During the 
 midday hours the sun beat down so fiercely that 
 nobody thought of going on the unprotected por- 
 tions of the spar deck unless it was absolutely 
 necessary. Everywhere the transport began to 
 smell of tar, which oozed from all the outer seams. 
 
 " We're in the tropics now," said Larry. " It 
 puts me in mind of life on the old Columbia. 
 How do you like it?" 
 
 " Oh, I guess I'll get used to it," answered the 
 panting Ben, who sat in what was supposed to be 
 
THROUGH THE SUEZ CANAL TO THE RED SEA 121 
 
 a cool passageway, fanning himself. "I trust it 
 isn't much worse in Manila- If it is, I don't see 
 how our boys are going to stand much marching 
 in the sun." 
 
 " How about a campaign inland ? " questioned 
 Gilbert. " This beats Cuba, eh ? " 
 
 "Indeed it does, Gilbert. You can thank your 
 stars that you were born down South." 
 
 "I suppose I can. Of course I feel warm, but 
 I don't think I am half as uncomfortable as 
 you." 
 
 "Sure an' I could slape in a tub av ice-water," 
 remarked Casey, loud enough for all to hear. 
 " Carl, phwat do you say ? " 
 
 " I vos chust dinking apout dem natives," an- 
 swered the German volunteer. "I ton't vonder 
 da vos tress in noddings put der lightest kloding. 
 I dink I vos drow half of mine outfit oferpoard 
 pef ore long, hey ? " 
 
 A gentle southeast wind had been blowing, but 
 toward nightfall this died out utterly, leaving 
 the air stifling. "No sleep to-night," grumbled 
 Ben. 
 
 "No, I don't think we shall sleep much," an- 
 swered Larry, who had been studying the sky. 
 
122 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 "Boys, you are going to have a big shaking up 
 before morning." 
 
 " What do you mean ? " asked Gilbert. 
 
 "I mean that there is a storm coming up, and, 
 most likely, it will be a regular hurricane." 
 
CHAPTER XIII 
 
 A HURRICANE ON THE INDIAN OCEAN 
 
 Larry was right; a hurricane was on the way, 
 and it struck the transport shortly before mid- 
 night. The wind whistled along the upper deck 
 and through the rigging, and the rain came down 
 in torrents, finding its way into every opening. 
 
 " It's a corker," remarked Gilbert, as he tried 
 in vain to stand upright. " It feels to me as if the 
 ship was going over." 
 
 " What must such a storm be in a sailing-ves- 
 sel?" remarked Ben. "Larry has been through 
 them — when he first sailed on the Pacific and the 
 China Sea." 
 
 The sailors, of course, did not mind it so much, 
 many of them being accustomed to just as heavy 
 storms, but among the soldiers there was at times 
 almost a panic, as scores of them went headlong, 
 slipping and sliding in all directions. 
 
 " Sure an' it's worse nor a fellow learnin' to 
 123 
 
124 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 skate ! " gasped Dan Casey, as he clung to the 
 iron uprights of his cot-hammock. " Talk about 
 layin' down ! Sure, an' I'll be layin' down in a 
 minit, — look out ! " And as the ship took another 
 pitch, his grasp loosened and away he went down 
 the passageway, to bring up feet first into Stum- 
 mer's stomach ; and both went down in a heap and 
 rolled over. 
 
 " Vot for you done dot ? " gasped the German 
 volunteer, as soon as he could disengage himself 
 and catch his breath. "Do you dink dis vos a 
 circus tent, Dan?" 
 
 "Sure, an' that's phwat it is, Carl, me b'y, wid 
 us as the acrobats. Here ye are ag'in ! " And 
 once more Casey went down. Carl tried to run 
 off, but simply collided with Ben, who grasped him 
 by the collar and gave him a fresh start on his 
 course. In another moment there was another 
 mix-up with a dozen participants, while Ben and 
 Gilbert endeavored to withdraw to safer quarters. 
 
 " I hope we are in no danger of striking on the 
 rocks," remarked the Southerner. "It wouldn't 
 be pleasant to be wrecked out here." 
 
 " There are no rocks anywhere around," came 
 in Larry's voice, and both turned, to behold the 
 
A HURRICANE ON THE INDIAN OCEAN 125 
 
 young sailor approaching, wet to the skin. " I 
 just came from the deck. I can tell you it's a 
 grand sight. The whole sea is almost as white as 
 whipped cream." 
 
 "You be careful or you'll go overboard," re- 
 turned Ben, by way of caution. 
 
 " Oh, I'm used to this sort of thing, you know," 
 was the quick reply. "Jack Biddle came up with 
 me. He said the storm made him feel more like 
 himself than anything that had happened since we 
 left home." 
 
 So far there had been but little lightning and 
 thunder, but now the fury of the elements in- 
 creased, and there came a crash that caused many 
 a heart to jump with fright. " Talk about can- 
 nonading," remarked Gilbert, "it couldn't hold a 
 candle to this noise. Phew ! There she goes 
 again ! " he added, as a vivid flash lit up the 
 semi-dark apartment. He was about to say more, 
 but the roar of the thunder drowned out every 
 other sound. 
 
 " Larry, where are you ? " It was the voice of 
 Jack Biddle. " Larry Russell ! " 
 
 " Here I am, Jack," answered the young sailor, 
 coming forward. " What is wanted ? " 
 
126 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 "I was afraid you had been lost overboard," 
 returned the old sailor. " I couldn't find you on' 
 deck." 
 
 "I am safe enough, Jack. The storm seems 
 to be getting worse." 
 
 " So it is, and we'll be lucky if we ain't thrown 
 on our beam ends. Phew, how hot it is down 
 here ! " 
 
 " I'm going on deck again. "Will you come ? " 
 
 "In a few minutes — just as soon as I get my 
 wind. But be careful, lad. You don't want to 
 go overboard — as you did on that trip you were 
 tellin' me about." 
 
 "No fear — I've got my eyes too wide open," 
 was the reply, and Larry ran off and up the stairs 
 to what had once been the upper saloon of the 
 steamer. Here he paused to look through the 
 glass of a small window which had been left when 
 the steamer was fitted up as an army transport. 
 
 As Larry gazed out, a brilliant and lasting flash 
 of lightning lit up the whole firmament, making 
 the scene on the outer deck almost as bright as 
 day. 
 
 " Goodness gracious ! " burst from the youth's 
 lips. A sight had met his gaze that held him 
 
A HURBICANE ON THE INDIAN OCEAN 127 
 
 almost spellbound. Out on the deck, close to the 
 rail, two men were fighting. The men were Quar- 
 termaster Yarrow and Andy Possy. 
 
 "They'll both go overboard," thought the boy. 
 " Hi ! stop that ! " he cried, and ran out toward 
 the pair. "This is no place to quarrel." 
 
 The men did not hear him, and it is doubtful 
 if they would have paid any attention if they had. 
 Both were in a perfect rage, and as Larry came 
 closer Yarrow caught Possy by the throat and 
 ran him up against the rail. 
 
 "Now we'll settle matters," the youth heard the 
 petty officer ejaculate. "You are the cause of 
 all of our troubles." 
 
 " Let — let up ! " came from Possy, in a choked 
 voice. " Le — let up ! " 
 
 "I will not, Possy, until you promise to go 
 before General Kenwood and take that affair en- 
 tirely on your own shoulders. I am not going to 
 stand a court-martialling when we get to Manila." 
 
 " I won't do it ! " screamed Andy Possy, and 
 with a dexterous twist he tore himself loose and 
 started to run. But Yarrow caught him a second 
 time, and both fell up against the cabin as the 
 transport rolled to port. 
 
128 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 " Hold on for your lives ! " came from Larry, 
 as he clung to an iron brace which was handy. 
 " Hold hard ! " And as another plunge of the 
 vessel threw Yarrow against him he caught the 
 quartermaster by the arm. But the grip did not 
 hold, and Yarrow slipped away in the darkness. 
 In the meantime Possy had disappeared. 
 
 " He has gone overboard ! " thought the youth, 
 and peered over into the black waters. Seeing 
 nothing, he waited for the next flash of lightning, 
 but it revealed nothing. 
 
 "Larry, we had better go in." It was Jack 
 Biddle's voice, and the youth turned to see the 
 tar just behind him. 
 
 " Did you see that, Jack ? " 
 
 "That? What?" 
 
 "The fight between Yarrow and Possy. Possy 
 has disappeared; I think he went overboard." 
 
 " What ! And where is the quartermaster ? " 
 
 " There he goes below." 
 
 "And you are certain Possy went over the 
 side?" 
 
 " He disappeared somewhere, and he didn't go 
 below, either. Yes, we had better go down. This 
 is the worst blow I've seen yet." 
 
A HURRICANE ON THE INDIAN OCEAN 129 
 
 They repaired to their quarters, to find Yarrow 
 sitting in a corner, watching those around him 
 from the corners of his keen black eyes. 
 
 " I've a good mind to question him about 
 Possy," said Jack Biddle, but Larry hauled him 
 back. 
 
 " No — wait awhile ; perhaps Possy will turn up, 
 after all," said the boy. 
 
 They kept a strict watch, and thus the re- 
 mainder of the night wore away. With the com- 
 ing of daylight the storm abated, and by ten 
 o'clock the sun was shining as brightly as ever. 
 But the sea was "choppy," and did not calm 
 down until twenty-four hours later. 
 
 "If Possy is around, he ought to turn up at 
 mess-call," remarked Biddle. But the sailor was 
 gone, and all on board were forced to believe that 
 he had lost his life in the hurricane. Immediately 
 after breakfast, Biddle called Yarrow aside. 
 
 "You were fighting with Possy last night," he 
 began. 
 
 " It's false ! " roared the quartermaster. " He at- 
 tacked me, and I defended myself." He clenched 
 his fists. "Don't say I'm responsible for his loss. 
 I've got troubles enough already without that." 
 
130 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 " But he wouldn't have gone overboard if you two 
 hadn't fought," insisted Larry, who was present. 
 
 " See here, you keep your mouth shut ! " an- 
 swered the disgraced one, in a passion. " He 
 attacked me, and I defended myself. If he fell 
 overboard, it was afterward." 
 
 There was a painful pause, and Jack Bid- 
 die looked from Larry to the quartermaster. "I 
 reckon I'll report, anyhow," said the old tar, and 
 lost no time in doing so. Later on, General Ken- 
 wood held an examination, and the upshot of the 
 matter was that Quartermaster Yarrow was de- 
 prived of his liberty and consigned to the brig, 
 "for fighting and for disgraceful conduct gen- 
 erally," as the report had it. It may be as well 
 to add here that Andy Possy was never heard of 
 again, and probably was drowned. 
 
 " I am glad Yarrow has been placed in close 
 confinement," said Larry. " He is a thoroughly 
 bad man, and every time he came near me he 
 gave me the creeps. Perhaps he didn't help 
 Possy overboard, but I guess he was equal to it." 
 
 " Such men are better out of the service than 
 in," answered Ben. "It is a great pity Uncle 
 Sam is hampered with them." 
 
A HURRICANE ON THE INDIAN OCEAN 131 
 
 The course of the transport was now southeast, 
 for the southern point of the island of Ceylon. 
 Day after day sped by without special incident, 
 and soldiers and sailors hardly knew how to put 
 in their time, and many were the games and other 
 amusements played and devised. Among other 
 things the soldiers proceeded to publish a daily 
 paper, called the Haversack, in which all sorts of 
 personal articles were inserted, much to every- 
 body's amusement. This paper was printed on a 
 typewriter belonging to the quartermaster's depart- 
 ment and then duplicated on a patented copying 
 machine. Among the sailors, yarn spinning went 
 on constantly. 
 
 "If I remember rightly, Ceylon is noted for its 
 teas," remarked Gilbert, when they were approach- 
 ing that island. " I should like to see a tea plan- 
 tation and watch them gather the crop and prepare 
 it for the market." 
 
 " All of the islands around here are noted for 
 something," put in Ben. " After we pass Ceylon 
 we'll steer directly for Sumatra, where they grow the 
 celebrated Sumatra tobacco, — used for cigar wrap- 
 pers. Just south of that is Java, and I guess there 
 isn't anybody who hasn't heard of Java coffee." 
 
132 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 " Yes, and then there are all the spice islands," 
 broke in Larry. " And the Philippines, celebrated 
 for their Manila hemp, used in rope and paper 
 making, — and their rice and sugar plantations." 
 
 " I met a man in New York who said the 
 Philippines were rich in minerals," said the young 
 Southerner. " As soon as this difficulty out here 
 is settled, he is coming out to locate some mines 
 and start a mining company. I should like to 
 uncover a gold mine myself." 
 
 " I don't believe you'll find much gold, Gilbert," 
 answered Ben. " But there may be other minerals 
 — copper and the like — and maybe silver. One 
 thing is certain, the islands are a rich possession, 
 both from an agricultural and a mining stand- 
 point. But nothing can be done until the rebels 
 are subdued and a good government is estab- 
 lished." 
 
 "And until the natives are taught how to 
 work," finished Larry. " If those in the interior 
 are as savage as I've heard, they certainly know 
 little of the use of a shovel and a spade, or a saw 
 and a hammer, and those are the tools that count, 
 when it comes to real civilization." 
 
CHAPTER XIV 
 
 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS AND GENEBAL 
 AGOTNALDO 
 
 On the second day after the conversation just 
 recorded, Point de Galle, the most southerly ex- 
 tremity of Ceylon, was passed on the port bow. 
 The weather was extremely clear, and those pos- 
 sessing glasses could make out the distant moun- 
 tains quite plainly. The course was now due east, 
 for the Strait of Malacca, which separates the 
 island of Sumatra from the Malay Peninsula. 
 
 " Now we are coming to the Dutch East Indies," 
 remarked Gilbert. "You know Sumatra, Borneo, 
 Java, and the other little islands all belong to 
 Holland." 
 
 " But the little island of Singapore doesn't be- 
 long to Holland," answered Ben. " That is Eng- 
 lish. I wonder if we shall stop at the capital. I'd 
 like to take another walk out into the country — 
 as we did at Malta." 
 
 133 
 
134 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 " And get eaten up by a tiger," said Larry. " I 
 was reading that about three hundred natives are 
 carried off annually by these fierce beasts, which 
 overrun all the woods behind the city." 
 
 "If that's the case, no shore-going for me," said 
 Gilbert. " I came out to fight Filipinos, not tigers. 
 By the way, I wonder if there are any wild animals 
 in the Philippines ? " 
 
 " Not any to speak of," answered Larry. " You'll 
 find some wild boars and a sort of buffalo, and 
 also a species of goats, and an animal called a 
 wildcat. But there are plenty of monkeys, so I've 
 been told, and rabbits and small game. And then, 
 as everywhere around here, you'll find the birds 
 without number, while the whole seacoast is full 
 of native oysters, which are not very good, and 
 turtles." 
 
 " Sure, an' somewan told me th' counthry was full 
 av lions and tigers an' elephants ! " burst in Dan 
 Casey, who stood by, listening to what was said. 
 " It was mesilf as was thinkin' thim animals would 
 hurt us tin times more than the ribils ! " And the 
 Irish volunteer drew a long sigh of relief. 
 
 " The lions and elephants all swam over to India, 
 Dan," answered Gilbert, gravely. " But don't 
 
GENERAL AGUINALDO 135 
 
 worry, my boy," he went on, with a twinkle in his 
 eye, "you'll have adventures enough. Do you 
 know why the big animals left ? " 
 
 " Sure, sergeant, an' how would I, knowin' nothin' 
 about the islands at all ? " 
 
 " Well, they left on account of the snakes. The 
 islands are overrun with reptiles, you know — 
 they've got about all that St. Patrick chased out 
 of Ireland." 
 
 " Great snakes ! An' is that thrue, sergeant ? " 
 
 " Certainly, and the snakes are great, some as 
 big around as your body and twenty to thirty feet 
 long." 
 
 " Sure, an' that's worse nor tigers an' lions, be- 
 dad ! I don't want any snakes in mine ! " And 
 Dan Casey went off shaking his head dubiously. 
 It was some time before he discovered that Gilbert 
 had been poking fun at him, although snakes of 
 fair size can be found throughout the Philippines, 
 especially in the island of Mindanao, to the south- 
 ward. 
 
 The run through the Strait of Malacca to Singa- 
 pore was an interesting one, for at many points 
 the transport steamed so close to shore that the 
 native villages and the country in general could 
 
136 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 be seen. On all sides were immense forests of 
 teak and other woods, while from a distance came 
 the sweet smell of spices. Delia was passed on 
 the starboard, and Malacca on the port, and one 
 cloudy afternoon they swept into the roadstead 
 harbor of Singapore and came to anchor. 
 
 " Hurrah ! This looks as if we were going ashore 
 once more ! " cried Larry ; but the stop proved 
 a short one, — just long enough to take on a little 
 fresh water and some ice, and to allow the com- 
 mander to get some despatches which awaited him. 
 
 " It's too bad we can't see the city," said Ben, 
 who stood at the rail, gazing at the numerous 
 shipping, for Singapore is a great centre of trade. 
 Beyond the immense wharves could be seen the 
 wide and well-kept streets of the town, with its 
 jumble of European and Oriental architecture. 
 
 General Kenwood's orders were probably urgent, 
 for no sooner had he perused them than the 
 captain of the transport was ordered to up anchor 
 and proceed with all possible speed, and the follow- 
 ing day found the ship on its way northeastward, 
 through the South China Sea. There now re- 
 mained a clear run of about fifteen hundred miles 
 to Manila. 
 
GENERAL AGUINALDO 137 
 
 Several English newspapers had been brought 
 on board at Singapore, and these were eagerly 
 perused for news. From them it was learned that 
 the situation in and around Manila remained about 
 the same, but that the natives appeared to be 
 getting ready to resist American authority. " I 
 think we are going to jump right into fighting 
 when we get there," remarked Ben, and the young 
 lieutenant's prediction proved very nearly true. 
 
 So far the health of all on board had been good, 
 but with the continued hot weather several were 
 stricken with a low fever — "equator fever," as 
 the surgeons in charge called it, for it was caught 
 while the transport was but a few miles north 
 of the equator. Fortunately the medical attend- 
 ance on board was the best, and although a few 
 suffered for a long time, not one of the cases was 
 fatal. 
 
 " I tell you, it fries the fat right out of a chap," 
 said Mark Olney one day to Larry. " I never 
 thought it could get so hot." Mark was lying 
 in the shade, stripped to the waist and with a wet 
 towel tied around his head, which pained him 
 considerably. 
 
 " You want to be careful about exposing your- 
 
138 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 self," answered Larry. " And you want to be careful 
 about what you eat and drink, too. An overloaded 
 stomach can knock a fellow out as quickly as 
 anything." 
 
 " I'm trying to be careful, Larry. But my head 
 spins like a top. I wish I had a real cold drink of 
 ice-water." 
 
 " That won't do you half as much good as a drink 
 of strong lemonade, Mark. Just wait till I make 
 it for you." Larry was as good as his word, and 
 the suffering boy declared that nothing had ever 
 tasted better. But on the day following Mark had 
 to go to the sick bay, and he did not reappear until 
 long after Manila was reached. 
 
 Since coming from Cuba, Ben had had scant 
 opportunities of studying up about the Philippines, 
 but now, as a second lieutenant of his company, he 
 felt that he ought to learn all he possibly could 
 about the islands. " Then, if one of the men ques- 
 tion me, I won't stand and stare at him like a block 
 of wood," he reasoned. 
 
 In his naturally agreeable way he had made a 
 friend of the first mate of the transport, and through 
 this officer gained access to the small library which 
 the latter possessed. Among the volumes was one 
 
GENERAL AGTTINALDO 139 
 
 on the islands of the Pacific and Indian oceans, 
 which included several chapters on the Philippines 
 and one chapter in particular on Manila, Ilo Ilo, 
 Sual, and Zebu, the principal cities, seaports which 
 the Spanish government had kept open for trade 
 with foreign countries, — all other seaports being 
 accessible for local traffic only. 
 
 From this book Ben learned several things which 
 Larry already knew — that the islands, great and 
 small, numbered about twelve hundred and had an 
 area of one hundred and fifty thousand square miles, 
 and a population of between four and five millions. 
 Luzon, upon which Manila was located, was the 
 largest island, with an area of fifty-one thousand 
 three hundred square miles, while to the southward 
 was Mindanao, about half as large. Between these 
 two lay Samar, Mindoro, Panay, Leyte, and hun- 
 dreds of other islands of lesser importance, some of 
 which have never yet been visited by white men. 
 
 " It's a great country," he said, in talking the 
 matter over with Gilbert. " Even if we subdue 
 those rebels, I think we shall have our hands full 
 governing it. " 
 
 " Uncle Sam will have to establish a permanent 
 garrison in each of the principal cities," returned 
 
140 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 the young Southerner. " That is what the English 
 do, you know." 
 
 " I know it. But these islands are so large it 
 will take a good many soldiers to keep the peace, 
 to my way of thinking." 
 
 " It all depends on how the natives are governed, 
 Ben. If we do the fair thing by them, I don't 
 think they'll be unruly very long, — that is, after 
 we give them a taste of the benefits of real civiliza- 
 tion. By the way, how big is Manila?" 
 
 "It has a population of about two hundred and 
 fifty thousand, mostly natives and Chinamen. But 
 I understand that since this trouble the population 
 has greatly increased, many natives coming in to 
 be protected by our government in case of another 
 outbreak by the forces under General Aguinaldo." 
 
 " Then it seems to me we'll have our hands full 
 holding the city, as we have less than fifteen thou- 
 sand available men, — I mean in case there is an 
 uprising within as well as without." 
 
 " I don't believe these rebels can whip us, Gilbert. 
 General Aguinaldo can't handle them skilfully 
 enough." 
 
 " I don't know about that. General Aguinaldo is 
 not such a fool as most people think. I've been talk- 
 
GENERAL AGTJINALDO 141 
 
 ing to Captain Frayling about him. Fray ling says 
 he is well educated and understands military tactics 
 as well as any graduate from West Point. Those 
 who pick him up for an ignorant native will find 
 themselves mistaken in the man." 
 
 " I know he is a Tagal, and that is about all I do 
 know of him." 
 
 " Yes, he is a Tagal, one of the race that inhabits 
 the northern portion of the island of Luzon, but he 
 looks much like a Spaniard. He has been a soldier 
 for ten or twelve years, and they say he is as good 
 a shot as any officer or man under him." 
 
 "I thought he kept out of the line of battle, 
 Gilbert." 
 
 "He may now, but he didn't during the time 
 that the Tagals were fighting the Spaniards. He 
 and all his generals were as brave as they were 
 daring. Captain Frayling said some of these fel- 
 lows would remain on the firing line long after 
 they ought to have been carried to the hospital. 
 They have fought for so many years among them- 
 selves that a small wound doesn't seem to affect 
 them. I'll tell you, I don't think we have any easy 
 time ahead," concluded Gilbert. 
 
CHAPTER XV 
 
 IN WHICH LARRY JOINS THE "OLYMPIA" ONCE 
 
 MORE 
 
 "Land! land! The Philippines at last!" 
 
 Such was the cry which rang throughout the 
 transport one hot afternoon late in January, bring- 
 ing soldiers, sailors, and everybody else to the deck in 
 a hurry. Yes, land was there, as yet a mere speck on 
 the horizon, dead ahead. On all other sides was to 
 be seen nothing but the deep-rolling China Sea. 
 
 " Hurrah ! it won't be long before we set foot on 
 land now!" exclaimed Ben, his face beaming. "I 
 wonder what part of the Philippines that is." 
 
 "We were sailing directly for the entrance of 
 Manila Bay," replied Larry. "The captain says 
 the land we have sighted is just north of the en- 
 trance. Before long you'll see the entrance itself, 
 with Corregidor Island and one or two small bits 
 of land lying about in the middle. I guess we 
 may as well get ready to pack our ditty boxes and 
 knapsacks, eh?" 
 
 142 
 
LAERY JOINS THE " OLYMPIA " ONCE MORE 143 
 
 Soon the land began to loom up more plainly, 
 and they could see the low-lying hills, covered with 
 brush and other tropical growths. "Looks about 
 like the other places down here, doesn't it ? " re- 
 marked Gilbert. 
 
 "You didn't expect to see something entirely 
 different, did you?" rejoined Ben. "See, we are 
 heading for yonder entrance to the bay. Is that 
 Corregidor Island, Larry ? " 
 
 " It is," was the young sailor's reply. " My, what 
 a difference between now and when I was on board 
 the Olympia, and we crept in under cover of the 
 darkness, expecting each instant to be blown up 
 by some sunken mine." 
 
 " Hurrah ! " came suddenly from a distance, and 
 looking, all those on deck saw a party of American 
 soldiers standing on the shore of Corregidor, one 
 with an American flag, which he was waving lustily. 
 A rousing cheer went up in return. " We've found 
 friends at last in this foreign-like quarter," was Gil- 
 bert's comment, while Ben's heart beat faster than 
 ever. 
 
 The Bay of Manila is a large one, and Manila 
 itself is located twenty-nine miles from the entrance 
 on the northeast shore. By the time Corregidor 
 
144 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 had been passed it was dark, and anchor was 
 dropped on the west side of the channel. 
 
 " It's too bad we can't land at once," grumbled 
 Ben. " I wonder if there's been any righting to-day." 
 
 The others wondered too, but nobody could an- 
 swer the question. With the end of that long trip 
 so near, nobody felt like sleeping, and almost all 
 sat up for the greater part of the warm night, and 
 discussed the situation, speculating upon what would 
 be their first duty on landing. 
 
 Ben sought out Larry. "I suppose we've got 
 to separate soon," he said soberly. "It's too bad 
 we can't be together, but duty is duty, and we will 
 have to make the best of it." 
 
 "I'll write to you as often as I can get the 
 chance, Ben, and you must do the same," answered 
 the young sailor, and, as a curious lump came up 
 into his throat, he caught his elder brother's hand 
 in the darkness, and gave it a tight squeeze. Now 
 that parting was so near at hand each felt how dear 
 the other was to him. 
 
 The only man on the transport who felt thor- 
 oughly miserable was Quartermaster Yarrow. He 
 knew that in a few hours more he would be handed 
 over to the naval authorities. " And what will they 
 
LAKEY JOINS THE " OLYMPIA " ONCE MORE 145 
 
 do with me then?" was his constant thought. He 
 was very bitter at Jack Biddle and Larry, and 
 vowed that he would "square matters" with both, 
 did the opportunity ever present itself. 
 
 It was the Monadnock which steamed up along- 
 side of the transport at daylight on the morning 
 following. She was a coast defence monitor of 
 about four thousand tons' displacement, and had 
 been sent to the Philippines some time previous. 
 Presently her officers came on board, followed by 
 several jackies, the latter to help the sailors remove 
 their effects. 
 
 " We are to join our various ships at once," said 
 Larry, rushing up to Ben shortly afterward. " Good- 
 by, and good luck to you, and be sure to write," 
 and a quarter of an hour later the young sailor was 
 off, bound for the Olympia, in company with Jack 
 Biddle, while Mark Olney went along, bound for 
 the Concord, with all the others, who were going 
 to one or another of the Asiatic Squadron. The 
 soldiers gave them a rousing cheer, which was re- 
 turned with interest. 
 
 " It makes me feel almost like home," said Larry, 
 as they steamed within sight of the flagship, which 
 lay well out in the harbor of Manila. " Here is just 
 
146 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 where I left the dear old ship when I sailed on 
 board the McCullocJi for Hong Kong. I hope all 
 my old friends are aboard." 
 
 "Larry Russell! Hooray!" The cry came from 
 the gun-deck of the Olympia, and, looking forward, 
 the youth saw a bronzed face that made his heart 
 jump with gladness. 
 
 " Luke Striker ! " he called back. " Aren't you 
 glad to see me? I'm awfully glad to see you." 
 
 "Glad ain't no name, lad. You air a sight for 
 sore eyes, thet's wot ye air! Come on board an' 
 git hugged to death ! " And when Larry did come 
 on board the old gunner nearly squeezed his hand 
 to a jelly. Barrow, Castleton, and the others were 
 also delighted to meet him once more, and for a 
 while the scene was a jolly one. Jack Biddle was, 
 of course, speedily introduced, and he and Striker 
 soon became warm friends. Later on it was found 
 that Biddle was to have charge of the gun next 
 to that commanded by Luke Striker, — for Luke, 
 it must be remembered, was now a gun-captain, — 
 so the friends would be close together during a 
 fight, should any come. 
 
 "We've kept mighty quiet since the fall of Ma- 
 nila," said Luke, after all had settled down. " But 
 
LARRY JOINS THE " OLYMPIA " ONCE MORE 147 
 
 we are not calculating to keep quiet much longer. 
 Those rebels are grumbling like thunder, and the 
 feeling in the city is like a barrel o' gunpowder, 
 that only wants a match struck to set it off." 
 
 "But about the fall of the city, did you take 
 any part in that?" asked Larry. 
 
 " To be sure we did, my lad, — this old gun of 
 mine was one of the first to begin the firing. We 
 lay off Fort San Antonio and gave it to the Span- 
 iards for all we knew how." 
 
 " And what did they do — fire in return ? " 
 
 " They were too scared to do anything. We 
 started in at half-past nine, and by eleven o'clock 
 the Spanish flag came down on the run, and the 
 city was ours." 
 
 "It must have been exciting even so, Luke." 
 
 "So it was — but nothing to that battle in 
 which you fought, lad ; that was something I'll 
 never forget," concluded Luke Striker, emphatically. 
 
 Larry wanted to know all the news, and it was 
 soon given to him. The harbor seemed to be full 
 of ships of war, and the old Yankee tar pointed 
 out one and another of them to both the boy and 
 Bid die and told what they were and when they 
 had arrived. 
 
148 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 " Uncle Sam is bound to have enough ships on 
 hand," said Larry. "We must have more here 
 now than Sampson had in Cuban waters." 
 
 "Hardly, lad. But we've got a good many 
 more than we had when we came to whip Mon- 
 tojo." 
 
 "And what have they done with Montojo's men 
 and with the Spanish soldiers who surrendered ? " 
 
 " They are being shipped back to Spain jest as 
 fast as it kin be done. But it's a big job an' 
 takes time. Now tell me all about yourself, and 
 then tell me about that big brother o' yours who 
 is a soldier and that other one who fit Cervera 
 down off Santiago. Say, but I would like to 
 have been in that running fight, eh?" and Luke 
 Striker bobbed his head enthusiastically. At Ma- 
 nila the men talked continually of our naval oper- 
 ations in Cuban waters, while at home the main 
 topic of conversation was Dewey's wonderful vic- 
 tory at Manila. 
 
 It will be remembered that during his former 
 service on the flagship Larry had had no opportu- 
 nity of going ashore. As the city was now under 
 American control, he was anxious to see what the 
 place looked like, and at the first chance he asked 
 
LARRY JOINS THE " OLYMPIA " ONCE MORE 149 
 
 for and obtained permission to join a party which 
 was to have forty-eight hours' furlough. Luke 
 Striker accompanied him. 
 
 " Take good care of yourselves," shouted Jack 
 Biddle after them. The gunner would have liked 
 to join the pair, but could not be spared. 
 
 " We'll try to," cried back Larry from the row- 
 boat in which they had taken passage. " I don't 
 expect trouble just yet, but if it comes, you hold 
 the Olympia in readiness for it." 
 
 " Right you are, lad, — we'll give it to those 
 rebels so hot they won't know where they stand," 
 answered Biddle. 
 
 "You men keep out of trouble," was the parting 
 word from the officer of the deck. "At present 
 all is quiet in the town, and if there is to be any 
 fighting, we don't want our side to start it." 
 
 " We'll remember, sir," answered the sailor in 
 charge of the party. " But we are not to take 
 any insults, are we ? " 
 
 "No. But don't use any firearms unless it be- 
 comes absolutely necessary. Those rebels are just 
 waiting for us to do some shooting. Then they'll 
 draw on a regular battle, and send word to Wash- 
 ington that we are trying to butcher them." 
 
150 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 Soon the small boat was on its way, leaping 
 over the waves of Manila Bay as if it were a 
 thing of life. The city was nearly a mile away, and 
 those at the oars were bound to make their run 
 ashore as long as possible. 
 
 " I hope Ben has landed and that I can find 
 him," said Larry on the way. He determined to 
 start on a hunt for his brother as soon as the 
 dock was gained, but never dreamed of the thrill- 
 ing adventure into which that search was to lead 
 him. 
 
CHAPTER XVI 
 
 LITE IN THE CITY OF MANILA 
 
 The city of Manila is divided into two parts 
 by the river Pasig, a good sized stream which is 
 navigable for a distance of ten or twelve miles. 
 To the south of the river is the old portion of the 
 town, at which were formerly located the Spanish 
 forts and government buildings, all still standing, but 
 now occupied by our own officers, civic officials, and 
 soldiers. This portion of the city contains a beauti- 
 ful cathedral, over a dozen churches, and several 
 convents. It is enclosed by an ancient rampart, 
 beyond which is a beautiful driveway and public 
 park. On the harbor side are long wharves, covered 
 with a ramshackle set of buildings which give the 
 newcomer no idea of the better appearance of the 
 town beyond. All the streets in old Manila are 
 regular, broad, and well kept, but business in this 
 portion is a thing of the past. 
 
 To the north of the Pasig lie the several districts 
 151 
 
152 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 of Tondo, Binondo, Santa Cruz, Quiapo, and St. 
 Miguel. Tondo is located to the north, directly 
 upon the harbor, and Binondo, Santa Cruz, and 
 the others to the eastward, but still bordering upon 
 the upper bank of the winding Pasig. 
 
 The great shopping centre is in the Binondo dis- 
 trict, and this also contains hundreds of fine resi- 
 dences, belonging to the native merchants. Here 
 the streets are narrow, irregular, and many of them 
 still unpaved, and the territory is also cut up by 
 several small canals. Down in the business centre 
 the shops are huddled closely together, and as much 
 of the trading is done on the sidewalk, the foot 
 passenger, if he is in a hurry, must take to the 
 street. 
 
 Strange as it may seem, there are fully as many 
 foreigners in business in Manila as there are both 
 natives and Spaniards, Of the foreigners the 
 greater portion are Chinamen, who keep restau- 
 rants and stores for the sale of all sorts of com- 
 modities. There is also a good sprinkling of Eng- 
 lishmen and Germans, the majority of whom are 
 engaged in the foreign trade. That my readers 
 may not think that Manila is far behind the times 
 let me add that there are both electric lights and 
 
LIFE IN THE CITY OF MANILA 153 
 
 telephones there, as well as several street-car lines 
 Carts and farm wagons that come into the city are 
 usually drawn by water buffaloes, but for carriages 
 and horseback riding the native ponies are used. 
 
 Many of the soldiers arriving on the transports 
 had been landed at Cavite* and placed in temporary 
 camps along the shore from the arsenal to the walls 
 of the city, but Ben's command was taken directly 
 into Manila and assigned to a barrack in the very 
 heart of the place. The landing was made in 
 cascoes without difficulty, and after a rather long 
 wait on a dock piled high with native lumber, — 
 ebony, iron-wood, grenadilla, mahogany, and the 
 like, — the regiment moved to the barracks through 
 several streets which were crowded with a popula- 
 tion representing a dozen nationalities. But the 
 Tagals were in the majority, and these are the 
 people that are commonly known as the Filipinos. 
 They are of Malay blood, sometimes mixed with 
 Spanish, are of a reddish brown color, with high 
 cheek bones and broad lips, and all have thick, 
 straight, black hair. None of them are of great 
 height, and a six-foot Tagal is almost unknown. 
 
 The barracks was almost as much of a curiosity 
 to the young lieutenant as the people. It was a 
 
154 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 two-storied affair, built in the form of a hollow 
 square, with a small parade ground of hot sand in 
 the centre. In front was a small veranda, and at 
 the ends the upper story overtopped the lower by- 
 several feet. There were numerous windows, but 
 no window glass, some of the openings being pro- 
 tected by iron bars and others having sash frames 
 filled with transparent sea-shells, which let in as 
 much light as our ordinary ground glass windows. 
 A certain kind of sea-shell, broad and flat, is used 
 for this purpose all over the Philippines. 
 
 "They don't build any of their houses very 
 high," remarked Ben, as, after a short drill, he and 
 Gilbert took a stroll around the city. 
 
 " I reckon they are afraid of earthquakes," an- 
 swered the Southerner. " They have had some pretty 
 severe ones here. One in 1863 threw down all 
 the churches and other principal buildings and 
 killed over two thousand inhabitants." 
 
 " Gracious, then I don't want to be here when 
 an earthquake comes, Gilbert." 
 
 "Nor I. But I reckon a native uprising here 
 would prove about as disastrous. Do you notice how 
 our soldiers are doing police duty on every corner?" 
 
 " I saw two guards on the corner we just passed. 
 
LIFE IN THE CITY OF MANILA 155 
 
 I wonder how they get along with those who can't 
 speak English." 
 
 " Make them understand by signs, I suppose, — 
 or call in an interpreter. But some of them must 
 understand a little English by this time. Hullo, 
 look at that sign." 
 
 The sign to which Gilbert referred was one on 
 heavy brown paper, painted in red, blue, and yellow, 
 and invited all Americans to come and see the 
 wonderful cock fight at a certain sporting resort 
 that afternoon. Price of admission was, for Ameri- 
 cans, " One silver dollar, which give to that one the 
 best of all of the seats at a choice." 
 
 " His English is a bit mixed, but the advertiser 
 makes himself understood," commented Gilbert. 
 " Cock fighting is the national sport here, just as 
 bull fighting is in Spain. "Do you want to go, 
 Ben?" 
 
 " No ; such cruel, senseless sport has no fascination 
 for me. What fun can there be in seeing one 
 chicken trying to kill another?" 
 
 " And yet they say these people go wild over the 
 sport." 
 
 "Then it shows they need education, Gilbert; 
 that is all I've got to say." 
 
156 UNDER OTIS EST THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 A little further on they came to a restaurant 
 conducted by several natives. Outside hung a 
 bill of fare, printed in both English and Spanish. 
 Delicious fish chowder was put down at twenty- 
 five cents per bowl, and they determined to go in 
 and try the dish, as much for the novelty as any- 
 thing else. Soon they were seated at a long, low 
 table covered with a tablecloth of fancy pattern, and 
 a short, fat Tagal came forward to wait upon them. 
 
 " Do you speak English ? " asked Ben, with a 
 smile. 
 
 " Yes, mistair, spak verra good Englees," was 
 the reply, and the native smiled even more broadly 
 than had Ben. 
 
 " Good enough," put in Gilbert. " Bring us 
 some of your fish chowder." 
 
 "Feesh chowder? Verra good, mistair. Feesh 
 chowder all, mistair ? " 
 
 « Yes." 
 
 "Verra good, mistair," and the native trotted 
 off. Presently he returned with two large bowls 
 of steaming chowder which was as appetizing as it 
 was peculiar in flavor. "With the chowder were 
 served half a dozen hard rice cakes, which also 
 tasted good to the hungry soldiers. 
 
LIFE IN THE CITY OF MANILA 157 
 
 " Well, how do you find business ? " asked Ben, 
 when the eating was brought on. 
 
 " Only so-so, mistair. Nobody haf much money, 
 — Tagalos poor, Spanish poor, soldier more poor, 
 no money at all," and the native waved his hands 
 and shrugged his shoulders. 
 
 " So you think our soldiers are the most poor of 
 the lot?" laughed Gilbert. 
 
 " Verra poor — after pay day go by. Pay day 
 verra rich, spend everyt'ing in two, tree days. Den 
 verra poor, say ' trust me.' Me trust, nevair see de 
 same soldier again," and the Tagal squinted his eyes 
 suggestively. His manner was so comical that 
 both Ben and Gilbert roared. But the native did 
 not see the humor of the situation and walked off in 
 ill humor, muttering to himself in his own language. 
 Ben soon discovered that all of the Tagals, espe- 
 cially those who were a trifle educated, took them- 
 selves very seriously and did not understand jok- 
 ing at all, although they are not above what they 
 call fun, — boisterous horse-play. 
 
 As people of all kinds were coming and going, 
 the pair remained in the restaurant a long time, 
 eating their chowder slowly. " "We must make the 
 best of it," remarked Ben. "I think we'll get 
 
158 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 orders to go on the outskirts to-morrow, and that 
 means a long time in the trenches, with only reg- 
 ular rations to live on." 
 
 "Well, I can't say that this looks much like 
 war," returned the young Southerner. " Certainly 
 these folks look peaceable enough." 
 
 " They know that our troops will stand no non- 
 sense — the capture of the city told them that. 
 But I'll wager the troops outside under Aguinaldo 
 are of a different metal. For myself, I am rather 
 anxious to get on the outskirts, just to get a taste 
 of what we had in Cuba once more." 
 
 "I'll wager those are genuine rebels," whispered 
 Gilbert, nodding toward half a dozen natives who 
 had come in and seated themselves in the rear of 
 the place. They had ordered a little to eat and 
 a great deal to drink, and were talking cautiously 
 and earnestly. Presently they caught sight of the 
 Americans and one after another scowled ominously. 
 
 " They don't like it that we are here," said Ben. 
 " I see you have about finished. Shall we go ? " 
 
 " On their account ? Not a bit of it. We have 
 as much right here as they have. If they don't 
 like our presence, let them go elsewhere," was Gil- 
 bert's warm reply. 
 
LIFE IN THE CITY OF MANILA 159 
 
 " The Americanos are no good," said one of 
 the Filipinos, in exceedingly bad English. " They 
 canno shoot, they canno fight, — they are cowards 
 — they haf to come to a Tagalos eating-house to 
 keep from starving — bah ! " 
 
 He spoke in a loud voice, evidently intending 
 to insult the Americans. Ben and Gilbert heard 
 his voice quite plainly, and both colored up. 
 
 " They mean us, Gilbert," whispered the young 
 lieutenant. 
 
 " So they do," came from the sergeant's set lips. 
 His hot Southern temper arose on the instant. 
 "I'm going to find out what he means by his 
 words." 
 
 " No ! no ! You'll only get into trouble." 
 
 " I don't care — he shan't insult us in this 
 fashion. I'll make him eat his words — or know 
 the reason why." And leaping to his feet, Gilbert 
 strode over to the rebel and caught him firmly by 
 the shoulder. 
 
CHAPTER XVII 
 
 AN UPRISING IN THE STREETS 
 
 Ben fully expected to see a fight on the instant, 
 and as Gilbert caught hold of the Filipino, he put 
 his hand to his hip pocket and half drew his pistol, 
 — to be ready in case of an emergency, — for he 
 had learned the lesson of war times, that it is often 
 advisable to "shoot first and talk afterward." 
 
 The rebel had seen Gilbert advance, and when 
 the young Southerner caught him by the shoulder 
 he did not flinch, although his hollow face became 
 a trifle more sober than it had been while he was 
 uttering his tirade. 
 
 "You meant those words for us, didn't you?" 
 asked Gilbert, in cool, clean-cut tones. 
 
 " I was speaking of all Americanos" growled the 
 Filipino. And then he added some words in his 
 native tongue, to the effect that Gilbert should let 
 go of him, or he would be sorry for it. 
 
 " You meant us in particular, you rascal ! Take 
 160 
 
Drop it or I'll fire." — Page 161. 
 
AN UPRISING IN THE STREETS 161 
 
 that ! " And raising his hand, the young South- 
 erner threw the Tagal from his bench flat on his 
 back on the floor. 
 
 At once the Filipinos, who were five in number, 
 set up a cry of defiance, and before the keepers of 
 the restaurant could interfere they hurled them- 
 selves upon Gilbert, bearing him to the floor, close 
 to where their companion lay. 
 
 " Teach the Americano a lesson ! " burst from one 
 of the number. " Use no pistols, but pound them 
 well." And they started in to hammer Gilbert at 
 will, while one of them, evidently the most savage 
 of the lot, drew a bolo — a long knife used in the 
 cane fields. At the same time the restaurant pro- 
 prietors called upon them to behave themselves, but 
 to this plea they paid no attention. 
 
 Ben saw it all, and when Gilbert went down 
 the heart of the young lieutenant seemed to leap 
 into his throat. But he did not lose his presence 
 of mind, and as quick as a flash he brought the 
 pistol into view, and aimed it at the head of the 
 rascal with the knife. 
 
 " Drop it ! " he called out. " Drop it, 01 1*11 
 fire ! " 
 
 It is doubtful if the Tagal understood the words, 
 
162 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 since thus far he had not said a word in English, 
 but he understood that the pistol barrel was in a 
 direct line with his head, and that the aim of the 
 young American was a true one. Startled at the 
 sudden turn of affairs, he jerked the holo behind 
 him, out of sight, and ran for a side window of 
 the restaurant, out of which he tumbled in a most 
 ungraceful fashion. 
 
 By this time Gilbert was trying to get up. But 
 with one Filipino on his chest and another on his 
 legs this was not so easy. " Let up, you villains ! " 
 he gasped. " Let up, or it will be the worse for 
 you ! " 
 
 " Yes, let up ! " repeated the young lieutenant. 
 As he spoke he pushed his weapon under the nose 
 of the fellow on Gilbert's chest. There was a yell 
 of fright, and the Tagal fell back upon his com- 
 panion, and both rolled on the floor. 
 
 But now the other two, including the rascal who 
 had started all of the trouble, ran up to Ben, one 
 in front and one behind, and while Gilbert was 
 scrambling up, the young lieutenant was thrown 
 down, his pistol falling under the table and going off 
 accidentally, hitting one of the Tagals in the thigh. 
 
 A scream of pain followed the report, and the 
 
AN UPRISING IN THE STREETS 163 
 
 smoke made it look as though a regular skirmish 
 was taking place in the restaurant. In the mean- 
 time the other customers who had been present 
 had fled, among them a German, who ran around 
 the corner to notify the military command sta- 
 tioned there that an uprising was in progress. 
 
 Ben had gone down, but he was not subdued, 
 and aiming a side blow with his right fist, he sent 
 one of the Tagals staggering back against a wall. 
 Then the other closed in, and American and Fili- 
 pino rolled over and over, in the direction of the 
 street entrance. By this time a crowd began to 
 collect, brought to the spot by the pistol shot, and 
 soon the entire street was blockaded. 
 
 " The natives are rising ! " was the cry from the 
 Americans. " Shoot them down ! Make them keep 
 quiet and get indoors ! " 
 
 " The Americanos are going to butcher us all ! " 
 came from the Filipinos. " Fight, or fly for your 
 lives ! " 
 
 Each instant the cries became louder and the 
 crowd more dense, until it looked as if the whole 
 front of the restaurant and the buildings adjoin- 
 ing would be crushed in. Opposite to the eating- 
 house was the store of a Chinese merchant. As 
 
164 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 soon as the trouble started, the Celestial brought 
 forth his heavy wooden shutters, put them up and 
 barred them, and then disappeared from view into 
 his cellar, taking his money and valuables with him. 
 
 Ben and his assailant and Gilbert all reached the 
 doorway of the restaurant at the same time. In a 
 twinkling the young Southerner caught the Tagal 
 and threw him back among his fellows. Then 
 another pistol shot rang out, and Ben felt a bullet 
 whistle uncomfortably close to his ear. 
 
 "Matters are getting warm — hadn't we better 
 run for it now?" he said. 
 
 "We can't run — we are hemmed in, Ben. 
 Look ! " 
 
 As Gilbert finished he pointed out to where a 
 dozen Filipinos were advancing, two with knives, 
 one with a pistol, and the others with sticks and 
 stones. Behind the dozen was a miscellaneous mob 
 of all nationalities. 
 
 "We must fight our way out, Gilbert," came 
 from the young lieutenant. " Hurry up, or it will 
 be too late ! " 
 
 Even while Ben was talking another pistol shot 
 rang through the air. He saw his chum stagger, 
 but only for an instant. 
 
AN UPRISING IN THE STREETS 165 
 
 "You are hit, Gilbert?" 
 
 " Only a scratch in the shoulder. Come on ! " 
 
 They started to slip past the restaurant door, 
 and thus avoid those who were hurrying toward 
 them from the roadway. But with a yell of rage 
 the dozen came on, and soon they were surrounded, 
 and all sorts of articles, sticks, stones, old bottles, 
 and the like, were hurled at them. One bottle hit 
 Ben in the chin, drawing blood. 
 
 But now an unexpected cry rang out, a cry that 
 filled Ben with amazement. " Olympia boys to the 
 rescue! Don't hang back! Give the niggers what 
 they deserve! " And up came the eight sailors who 
 had obtained a forty-eight hours' furlough that very 
 morning, and with them Larry and Luke Striker. 
 
 "Here come some of our sailors! They are going 
 to help us! " ejaculated Gilbert. "This way, fellows, 
 if you would fight for Uncle Sam! " he called out. 
 
 "We're coming!" came back from Striker, and 
 soon the tall Yankee was fighting his way to the 
 pair's side, hurling the Filipinos to the right and 
 the left as he advanced. 
 
 "Ben!" the call came from Larry, and the young 
 lieutenant looked up to see his brother bearing 
 down upon him. " What does this mean ? " 
 
166 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 " It means that we have got into a mess and 
 must get out of it here," panted the young lieu- 
 tenant. " Look out, the Filipinos will murder you 
 if they get the chance." 
 
 There was no time to say more — indeed, the 
 yelling was now so great that scarcely anybody 
 could make himself understood. Larry sprang to his 
 brother's side, and both began to fight their way 
 in the direction Gilbert, Striker, and several sailors 
 had pursued. Many blows were taken and delivered, 
 and again Ben went down, hit in the back of the 
 head. Larry bent over him, to learn that his brother 
 was unconscious. 
 
 " Let him alone," he cried fiercely to a Filipino 
 who was about to stamp upon Ben, and as the 
 rascal raised his foot, Larry caught it and gave a 
 jerk, and down went the Tagal with a thump on 
 the pavement. Before he could rise, the young 
 sailor had his brother up in his arms and over his 
 shoulder and was running as rapidly as the weight 
 of his burden would permit. 
 
 Matters were looking very serious all around, 
 when the little uprising subsided as quickly as it 
 had gathered. The German who had given the 
 alarm to the authorities had caused a Minnesota 
 
AN UPRISING IN THE STREETS 167 
 
 company of volunteers to be called out, and they 
 came down the highway on the double quick, with 
 muskets loaded and bayonets fixed. 
 
 "Into your homes, every one of you!" shouted 
 the captain in command. " Drop your weapons 
 or you will be shot down! " And then a volley 
 rang out, shot into the air, and, badly demoralized, 
 the rioters, for they can be termed nothing else, 
 sped in all directions, and the street was cleared 
 in a twinkle. 
 
 The company had come up behind the Filipinos, 
 and consequently the natives were at first driven 
 upon Larry and the others. For a moment it 
 looked as if the young sailor would be upset in 
 the mel6e, but he managed to keep his feet, and in 
 a minute more the danger was past, and then 
 Gilbert and Striker joined him. 
 
 " Is Ben badly hurt ? " questioned Gilbert, in 
 deep concern, for in a way he counted himself 
 largely responsible for what had occurred. 
 
 " I don't believe so — still there is no telling," was 
 Larry's slow reply. " I wonder where we can get 
 some water?" 
 
 " Let us ask the soldiers," suggested Striker. 
 
 "No, don't do that," put in Gilbert, hastily. 
 
168 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 "They'll want to know all about the trouble and 
 they may place us under arrest. You see we were 
 in it from the start," he added. 
 
 "Then let us take him down one of the side 
 streets," returned Larry. " I think if we bathe 
 him he'll come around and be all right." 
 
 All three took up the form of the young lieuten- 
 ant and hurried along a street which Gilbert indi- 
 cated. In a few minutes the scene of the encounter 
 had been left some distance behind, and they slack- 
 ened their pace. 
 
 " Here is an open warehouse," said Luke Striker. 
 " You can lay him here, Larry. There is water just 
 beyond, and I'll run down and see if I can't get 
 some," and the Yankee tar started for one of the 
 canals running into the Pasig. 
 
 " Oh, my head ! " The mutter came from Ben, 
 and before Striker returned he opened his eyes and 
 tried to sit up. The old Yankee brought with him 
 some water in a tin can he had picked up, and this 
 revived the young lieutenant still more. 
 
 " That was an adventure and no mistake," said 
 Gilbert, as he related his tale to the others. " I 
 never thought it was going to turn out like that 
 when we went in to get the fish chowder." 
 
AN UPRISING IN THE STREETS , 169 
 
 " We must be more careful in the future," an- 
 swered Ben, as he rubbed the lump that had raised 
 behind his left ear. " These Filipinos mean to fight, 
 if once they get the chance." 
 
 " Oh, they are treacherous as can be," burst out 
 Striker. " Why, only last week two of our soldiers 
 were found in the trenches, dead, an' stripped of all 
 their valuables. Those Tagals did that, no doubt 
 on it." 
 
 It was fully an hour before they left the ware- 
 house, and by that time quietness had been restored 
 and the company of infantry was returning to its 
 quarters. But on every corner in the neighborhood 
 the guard were doubled, and the shopkeepers were 
 ordered to keep closed up for the remainder of the 
 day. What had become of those who had fought 
 with Ben and Gilbert there was no telling. 
 
 "I'm out my pistol," said the young lieutenant. 
 " But never mind, I have another, and I'm thankful 
 that my head wasn't broken." 
 
 "I'll buy you a new pistol, Ben," said Gilbert. 
 "I'm responsible for the loss of that other," and 
 then in the darkness he squeezed his chum's arm, 
 and that squeeze meant a good deal. 
 
CHAPTER XVIII 
 
 SOMETHING ABOUT MAJOR-GENERAL OTIS AND HIS 
 COMMAND 
 
 On the following day Ben and his comrades 
 were taken out for a review by Major-General Otis, 
 now in command, and for a parade through the 
 main street of old Manila. The weather was ex- 
 ceedingly hot, but by eleven o'clock the exercises 
 were over and the soldier boys were allowed to 
 do as they pleased until sundown. 
 
 " I've found out one thing since I've been here," 
 remarked Gilbert, as he and the young lieutenant 
 and Larry took a stroll together. "The day in 
 Manila usually comes to an end at noon. In 
 the afternoon everything is dead and half the 
 folks go to sleep." 
 
 " They can't keep it up like people in a cooler 
 climate," returned Ben. "Larry, how did you 
 sleep last night at that native boarding-house ? " 
 he went on. 
 
 170 
 
GENERAL OTIS AND HIS COMMAND 171 
 
 "Slept very well until about five o'clock, when 
 I was awakened by a cock fight that was going 
 on in the back yard. The owner of the boarding- 
 house keeps game cocks, and one of his fowls was 
 having it out with a rooster from next door. A 
 crowd of about a dozen natives were gathered 
 around, and they seemed to think it was the great- 
 est fun in the world, and they set up a roar of 
 laughter when one of the fowls fell over and had 
 to be carried away." 
 
 " And how were the accommodations — good ? " 
 "Pretty fair. I had a large square room with 
 a bare floor. The bed, an old-fashioned affair, 
 with a braided cord bottom, stood in the centre, 
 with a strip of Manila matting in front of it. 
 Outside of the bed there wasn't a thing in the 
 room but a washstand, a chair, and some wooden 
 hooks for my clothing. Of course I had only one 
 thin sheet, but that was more than I wanted. I 
 told the folks to call me at six o'clock, and at 
 that time one of the boys of the family marched 
 straight into the room, without so much as knock- 
 ing on the door. He had just got up himself. 
 He asked me if I wanted some coffee sent up, 
 but I told him no." 
 
172 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 " And what did you have for breakfast ? " went 
 on Ben, who was deeply interested in native cus- 
 toms and was sorry he had had no more chances 
 to study them. 
 
 " We had baked fish, a sort of mush, rice cakes, 
 coffee, and several kinds of fruit. It wasn't much 
 different from what I've had before, but I was 
 quite interested in seeing them prepare the food 
 at their open fire. I wonder if they haven't cook 
 stoves ! " 
 
 "No more stoves than they have chimneys," re- 
 joined Gilbert. "Look around, and I'll wager 
 you won't see a chimney. It's so hot that what 
 little fire is needed is built outdoors." 
 
 " The house I stopped at was supposed to be 
 very clean," went on the young sailor. " But 
 for all that I saw lots of bugs and the like around. 
 Some were in the dining room, but as none of 
 the old boarders appeared to mind them, I thought 
 it best not to say anything." 
 
 "In hot climates you are certain to find bugs, 
 no matter where you go," said Gilbert. "That is 
 one reason why they don't have as many soft pillows 
 and curtains as we are used to. A species of 
 native moth eats into everything and ruins it." 
 
GENERAL OTIS AND HIS COMMAND 173 
 
 Larry's time was short, and the remainder of the 
 day was spent in visiting all the points of interest 
 possible. At nightfall the young sailor returned 
 to his ship ; and that was the last Ben saw of his 
 brother for some time to come. 
 
 The next day was Saturday, February the fourth, 
 — the day when the regiment to which Ben be- 
 longed was to be sent to the outskirts of the city, 
 to help prevent the Filipinos who lay outside from 
 sneaking in and looting Manila. The rebel army, 
 it was now estimated, numbered at least twenty 
 thousand men, and spies had brought in word 
 that some sort of a demonstration against the 
 American forces might be expected at any mo- 
 ment. 
 
 At this time, Uncle Sam's troops in the Philip- 
 pines were designated as the eighth army corps. 
 They were under the immediate command of 
 Major-General Elwell S. Otis, who had superseded 
 General Merritt, and were divided into two divi- 
 sions, one under Major-General Thomas M. Ander- 
 son and the other under Major-General Arthur 
 MacArthur, each division counting two brigades. 
 The army was composed largely of regulars, but 
 there were many volunteers from the Western 
 
174 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 states and territories, and likewise a regiment from 
 Tennessee and another from Pennsylvania. 
 
 Of all the generals in our army at this time, 
 General Otis was considered to be the best fitted 
 for our campaign in the Philippines. He was a 
 thorough soldier, having been drilled in the best 
 of schools — that of war itself. When the Civil 
 War broke out he was but twenty-two years of 
 age and just entering upon the profession of law. 
 Casting his profession aside, he raised a military 
 company, became attached to a New York volun- 
 teer regiment, and from that time forth became a 
 soldier. 
 
 His first great service was at Gettysburg, where, 
 after most desperate fighting, the regiment to which 
 his company belonged, secured Little Round Top 
 mountain to the Union army. Otis then became 
 lieutenant-colonel, and as such fought in the battle 
 of the Wilderness. Following this came the bloody 
 contest at Spottsylvania, where the colonel of the 
 regiment was killed, along with nearly the whole 
 of the non-commissioned staff, and then Otis be- 
 came the commander of the regiment. 
 
 From the Rapidan to the James River Otis's 
 command fought with great credit. The young 
 
GENERAL OTIS AND HIS COMMAND 175 
 
 commander was daring to the point of rashness, 
 and was soon placed in charge of an entire brigade. 
 Up to this time he had received no wound of im- 
 portance, but in the gallant charge at Chapel House, 
 Virginia, he was shot down, the wound proving so 
 serious that further service during the war was 
 out of the question. 
 
 A year after the close of the Rebellion, the young 
 fighter joined the regular army as a lieutenant- 
 colonel of the twenty-second regiment, and served 
 faithfully in various positions for ten years, when 
 he went again to the front, this time against the 
 Indians on the Powder River, near the Yellow- 
 stone. Several engagements resulted, and finally 
 the Indians, under Sitting Bull, surrendered. 
 
 The country was now at peace everywhere, and 
 Otis's time was made use of by the government in 
 serving in the recruiting service and in assisting to 
 revise the Army Regulations. He also served as 
 commander of the Department of the Columbia and 
 commander of the Department of Colorado. When 
 the war with Spain broke out he was presiding 
 at a court-martial being held in Savannah, Georgia. 
 Immediately after Dewey's great victory he was 
 appointed major-general of volunteers, and, later 
 
176 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 on, became commander of the Department of the 
 Pacific, and Military Governor of the Philippines. 
 
 It was no light duty to organize an army for 
 foreign service at this time. With the exception 
 of Scott's invasion of Mexico, we had never before 
 equipped regulars and volunteers for service thou- 
 sands of miles from home, and especially for ser- 
 vice at a point where we had no permanent base 
 of supplies. Moreover, the knowledge that we must 
 do this, and do it speedily, came largely in the 
 nature of a surprise, even to the administration. 
 We had thought to send all of our soldiers to 
 Cuba, — possibly some to the coast of Spain, — but 
 now we must send ten to thirty thousand men half 
 around the world. 
 
 In this work General Otis found plenty to do. 
 Expedition after expedition was sent off, as pre- 
 viously mentioned, and Manila was taken. With 
 the fall of the city came the immense task of 
 checking the raids of the rebels, restoring order, 
 feeding not only our soldiers but also those natives 
 who had been driven into the town and were starv- 
 ing, and in opening up the various lines of com- 
 merce and trade. In order to do the latter the 
 Americans had to operate the general bank, the 
 
GENERAL OTIS AND HIS COMMAND 177 
 
 custom house, the police, fire, and health depart- 
 ments, and also the postal and cable services. All 
 was strange ; the Spaniards who had been in charge 
 hated to give up, and would grant no assistance, 
 and rebel sympathizers who thought that Manila 
 ought to be turned over to Aguinaldo did all they 
 could to add to the discomfort of the Americans. 
 Outbreaks such as I have just described were of 
 almost daily occurrence, and there was a rumor 
 that if Aguinaldo did not get what he wanted, 
 he and his followers would burn the city from end 
 to end, regardless of consequences. 
 
 Such was the situation on this never to be forgot- 
 ten fourth day of February, 1899, which was to 
 mark the beginning of a war that was to drag along 
 for an almost indefinite period. Aguinaldo had 
 made his last demands upon the government at 
 Washington, and been refused the greater part of 
 what he desired. A plan was laid to bring on a 
 fight which was to extend to all the outskirts of 
 Manila. At the same time word was secretly sent 
 for the natives inside of the city to do all they 
 could in the cause of Filipino liberty. This meant 
 to burn down the quarters of the Americans, and 
 shoot as many as possible of the troops. 
 
178 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 Various accounts have been given of how the 
 first shot came to be fired, the Filipinos declaring 
 that they were not in the least to blame — that 
 the Americans fired without provocation, when it 
 was understood by both sides that the truce was 
 still on. The following statement is, however, 
 probably correct, as it is testified to by several 
 military men of high standing in our army in the 
 Philippines : — 
 
 Some distance to the eastward «f the newer 
 portion of Manila is situated the district of Santa 
 Mesa, a collection of small houses located between 
 several cross-roads. From Manila there is almost 
 a straight road to this place, and beyond is a level 
 plain, dotted here and there with bamboo huts and 
 the various block-houses used by the Spaniards 
 during their occupation of the islands. 
 
 Between Manila and Santa Mesa lay the camp 
 of some troops from Nebraska, and some distance 
 beyond were gathered a number of the rebels, 
 occupying the block-houses just mentioned, and all 
 of the available thickets. The insurgents were 
 also collected on the hill of San Juan, where are 
 located the reservoirs and waterworks of Manila. 
 
 Between the two camps lay a small village 
 
GENERAL OTIS AND HIS COMMAND 179 
 
 which had been declared neutral ground. A few 
 days before the fighting began the Filipinos 
 swarmed into the village and took possession of 
 it. The Americans at once ordered them to va- 
 cate, but they refused. On the day following 
 some soldiers were sent forward to clean the 
 village out. They advanced to the first line of 
 houses and beheld the Filipinos coming up the 
 street. 
 
 " Halt ! " was the command given, but the rebels 
 would not halt. " Halt ! " came again. " You 
 have no right here. You must go back, — and 
 then we will go back." 
 
 " We won't go back ! " was the answer, and a 
 wild cry arose, and the rebels raised their guns. 
 But the American detachment was too quick for 
 them, and an opening volley brought down two 
 Filipinos. Then the rebels discharged their 
 weapons, and some of our men went down. The 
 Filipinos who were coming up outnumbered our 
 men four to one, and soon the Americans retreated 
 to their camp, the enemy following them for a 
 short distance and then retiring. 
 
 This was the spark from which a great fire 
 was kindled. Hardly had the first shot rung out 
 
180 UNDEK OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 when there came a signal from one of the enemy's 
 block-houses, followed by a blaze of fire from a 
 long line of intrenchments and from several field- 
 pieces. This first onslaught was directed toward 
 the Nebraska soldiers, but soon the firing extended 
 to the whole line, in a grand semicircle of flame 
 and smoke ; and then the Americans knew that a 
 great battle was on at last. 
 
CHAPTER XIX 
 
 THE REBEL ATTACK UPON THE CITY 
 
 Ben's regiment had gone into camp in a most 
 picturesque spot overlooking a tiny stream that 
 flowed into the Pasig River. On either side the 
 stream was lined with tropical trees and brush, 
 while some distance away from the opposite shore 
 was a considerable plain, a small portion of which 
 had once been a rice field and which was still 
 under water to the depth of several inches. 
 
 The picket line of the regiment extended for a 
 distance of half a mile up and down the stream, 
 and where the thickets were not sufficient, rifle 
 pits had been dug or intrenchments thrown up. 
 The tents were placed behind a dense grove of 
 cedar trees, so that they were comparatively safe 
 from shot or shell. 
 
 The insurgents had thrown up a series of in- 
 trenchments on the farthest side of the rice 
 field and along the top of a small hill rising to 
 
 181 
 
182 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 the northwest. Directly on the top of the hill 
 was a small field-piece. This had not yet been 
 fired, but as it was known that the Filipinos were 
 deficient in gunnery, no great harm was expected 
 from it. 
 
 The company to which the young lieutenant 
 belonged was well drilled in every duty of the 
 American soldier, and as the baggage wagon, drawn 
 by water buffaloes, accompanied the troops, the 
 men were not long in staking out the ground, 
 putting up their tents, and rendering themselves 
 otherwise at home. 
 
 " Sure, an' I suppose we're booked to sthay here 
 fer a couple of months, at least, eh, lieutenant ? " 
 remarked Dan Casey, as he brought in some palm 
 leaves to place on the floor of the tent he and 
 Stummer were to occupy. 
 
 " I can't say how long we'll remain, Casey — 
 until the Filipinos stir us up, I presume." 
 
 " Maybe dem rebels ton't got packpone enough 
 to stir us up," put in Carl Stummer. " I vos 
 vatch von of dem fellers down py Manila, und all 
 he do vas to eat, drink, schmoke, und make dem 
 chickens he vos got fight. I tole you dot vos 
 make me tired, und I vos vant to shake him up 
 
THE EEBEL ATTACK UPON THE CITY 183 
 
 und tell hhn to go to vork," and the German 
 volunteer shook his head determinedly. 
 
 "We may catch it before we are aware, Carl. 
 Orders have just been received to be extra care- 
 ful on the picket line," answered Ben, as he turned 
 away to consult Captain Larchmore, concerning 
 the digging of some new intrenchment closer to 
 the water's edge. 
 
 The soldiers of the regiment had been told that 
 Saturday nights were usually gay ones in the city, 
 and some grumbled that they had not been per- 
 mitted to remain in Manila until the following 
 Monday. " We can do nothing here but lie 
 around and get sunburned," said one of the num- 
 ber. 
 
 Evening found Ben walking along the newly 
 dug intrenchment. The stream beyond was not 
 very deep, and he was thinking of looking for a 
 place where he might ford to the opposite shore 
 and go on a short tour of discovery, when a dis- 
 tant shot reached his ears. Stopping short in his 
 walk, he raised his head and listened. The shot 
 was followed by several others, and then came a 
 rolling volley. 
 
 "A figfr; has started somewhere," he muttered. 
 
184 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 " It seems to be a good way off. I wonder if it 
 will extend to here, or if we'll be called out to 
 support some other command." 
 
 Crack ! bang ! The reports were so unexpected 
 that the young lieutenant had no time to seek 
 shelter. The rebels behind the rice field had 
 opened fire, and two bullets clipped the tree under 
 which he was standing, while a third wounded one 
 of the pickets in the left shoulder. 
 
 There was no need to give the alarm, for the 
 volley aroused the whole camp. There was a rapid 
 call to quarters, and inside of five minutes the regi- 
 ment was ready for duty. Each battalion was 
 marched to the front separately, and the formation 
 of it was two companies wide and two deep. 
 
 With the firing of their guns the insurgents 
 had left the cover of the brush, and were now 
 coming on, yelling like so many demons. When 
 the regiment reached the picket line the enemy was 
 in the middle of the plain and ready to fire again. 
 
 " Keep cool, men," came in a low but clear voice 
 from Captain Larchmore. And a similar caution 
 was passed from end to end of the long line. The 
 men had already loaded, and some wanted to fire 
 at once, but permission was refused. 
 
THE REBEL ATTACK UPON THE CITY 185 
 
 It was thought that the Filipinos were coming 
 straight on, and so far they had done so. But 
 when in the centre of the plain they switched off 
 to the northwest, evidently thinking to turn the 
 Americans' left flank, since at this point there 
 was a small break in the latter's defences. 
 
 " Fire ! " came the command, and one company 
 after another blazed away, Ben using his pistol and 
 aiming at a form which appeared to be leading one 
 of the enemy's detachments. He saw the form 
 stagger and go down, but whether the rebel was 
 seriously hurt or not he could not tell. 
 
 The volley from the Americans filled the wood 
 by the stream full of smoke, and as it was already 
 dark, but little could be seen during several min- 
 utes that followed. But the colonel of the regi- 
 ment did not lose any time in thinking. 
 
 "You will double-quick your command to the 
 left," he said to the major of the senior battalion, 
 and soon the first four companies were moving to 
 the defenceless spot just mentioned. It was a bit 
 of rough ground, full of tufts of rank grass and 
 boggy holes, and the men had to pick their way 
 with caution. 
 
 Ben's company occupied an open space between 
 
186 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 two solitary palms, with some brush to the rear of 
 them. Hardly had they wheeled into position when 
 the order came to fire at will, and crack ! crack ! 
 went the Springfield rifles, spitting out their fire 
 spitefully, and causing fully a dozen Filipinos to 
 go down. Then came rapid firing from the other 
 side, but the rebel aim was high, and but little 
 damage was done in the ranks of those who were 
 battling for the honor of Old Glory. 
 
 " Sure, an' we're in it at last ! " shouted Dan 
 Casey. " Take that, ye haythin nager ! " And he 
 pulled his trigger on a wild-looking Filipino and 
 had the satisfaction of seeing the fellow throw away 
 his gun and limp to the rear. 
 
 " Stand firm ! " It was the cry of Major Morris 
 of the battalion, and scarcely had it been issued when 
 the rebels flung themselves headlong at the first two 
 companies. They came on with fixed bayonets, 
 swords, and long sugar-cane knives, and the shock 
 was a heavy one. Most of them wore but little 
 clothing, and as their forms were dark they could 
 scarcely be distinguished in the night. 
 
 Such bravery was certainly worthy of a better 
 cause. But the Americans were now on their 
 mettle, and fired as rapidly as they could, retreating 
 
THE REBEL ATTACK UPON THE CITY 187 
 
 to the brush only to reload. In the meantime the 
 second battalion had been ordered still further to 
 the left, and now the rebels were caught between 
 two fires. They stood this for perhaps five minutes, 
 then broke and ran for the rice field with all the 
 power of their sturdy legs. 
 
 " After them, men ; we must teach them a lesson 
 they won't forget ! " shouted the colonel of the reg- 
 iment, who had served in Porto Rico and who was 
 anxious to make a record for himself here. And 
 away went the second battalion, followed by the 
 first, while the third remained where it had been 
 originally stationed, with orders to spread out and 
 cover as much of the picket line as possible. 
 
 " Those men are bound to get into Manila to- 
 night, if the trick can be done," remarked Captain 
 Larchmore to Ben, as they swept along, with Lieu- 
 tenant David, Ross near them. " Just listen to the 
 crack of musketry on all sides. I'll wager our en- 
 tire line from north to south is in this." 
 
 "I belie"ve you, and if all the rebels are as dash- 
 ing as those we just beat off, there is hot work on 
 hand," answered Ross. " Eh, Russell ? " 
 
 " Well, all we can do is to take care of our share 
 of it," rejoined the young lieutenant. "Hullo, 
 
188 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 those fellows are up to some new move ! " he added, 
 a second later. 
 
 The rice field had been passed by the insurgents, 
 and now they disappeared into some brush which 
 was backed up by the hill upon which rested their 
 small field-piece. Soon the Americans were in the 
 field after them, sinking up to their ankles in the 
 mud and water. 
 
 "Tell you vot, dis ain't so fine," growled Carl 
 Stummer. " Maype of ve ton't been careful ve go 
 ofer our heads alretty, hey ? " 
 
 " Sure, an' it ain't no worse nor it was in Cuby," 
 answered Dan Casey. " Come on an' let us lick 
 thim haythin out av their boots before th' sun 
 comes up." 
 
 " Out of dare poots vos goot ! " roared Stummer. 
 " Da must haf peen licked out of dem poots alretty, 
 for all I seen of dem vos parefooted, ha ! ha ! " And 
 the laugh became so general that poor Casey got 
 quite angry and said nothing more for the best part 
 of an Jiour. Carl was right ; many of the insurgents 
 were barefooted, and not over three-quarters were 
 properly equipped and trained as soldiers. Yet all 
 of them, from the Igorrote spearmen to the Tagalos 
 sharpshooters, knew how to fight. 
 
THE REBEL ATTACK UPON THE CITY 189 
 
 "I believe they are making their way back to 
 where they left that field-piece," said Captain 
 Larchmore, as he ordered his company to move 
 slowly to the centre of the rice field. 
 
 " It's so dark I can't see them any more," put 
 in Ross. "I didn't think they would attack us 
 at night." 
 
 " That's a way all Malayan races have, Dave," 
 answered the captain. " Indians do the same thing. 
 If they break through the lines anywhere, Heaven 
 be merciful to the Americans left in Manila ! 
 They'll murder every soul ! " 
 
 "I think one reason they attacked us in the 
 dark is because they knew the warships in the 
 harbor couldn't assist us. By daylight Dewey 
 will get the range of them and make it warm ; 
 see if he doesn't," was Ben's comment. " Listen ! I 
 can't see or hear anything of them now, can you ? " 
 
 Captain Larchmore brought his company to a 
 halt, and soon the whole battalion came to a 
 stop. Ben was right ; the Filipinos had entered 
 the brush as silently as so many shadows. Not 
 another shot was fired by them, and it looked as 
 if they were defeated and the engagement was at 
 an end. 
 
190 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 Somewhat perplexed, the commands remained at 
 attention for nearly quarter of an hour. Then, 
 fearing treachery, the colonel ordered all of the 
 companies back to the trenches and rifle-pits. 
 These gained, a hasty list of those who had been 
 shot was made, and it was found that one man 
 had been killed outright and four were more or 
 less seriously wounded. One man, a sergeant of 
 Company B, was reported missing. 
 
 "And who is it?" asked Ben, and his heart 
 beat quickly for fear he was about to hear bad 
 news. 
 
 "Gilbert Pennington," was the dismaying an- 
 swer. 
 
 "And they don't know where he is?" 
 
 " No ; he marched out into the rice field and 
 he didn't come back, and they can't find his body 
 anywhere," was the brief reply; and the young 
 lieutenant walked away, his heart sinking like a 
 lump of lead within him. 
 
CHAPTER XX 
 
 THE SECOND DAY OF THE ATTACK 
 
 Fkom a little point near Santa Mesa, the battle 
 had gradually extended from the Tondo district 
 of Manila on the north to the fortifications of Ma- 
 late on the south, a distance of over seventeen 
 miles. 
 
 In the city a good deal of alarm was felt. All 
 the government buildings were closely guarded to 
 prevent them from being set on fire ; extra guards 
 were stationed everywhere, to keep the natives 
 indoors, all places of amusement were summarily 
 closed, the street cars were stopped, and all the 
 American women and children who cared to go 
 were taken on board of several of the transports 
 lying in the harbor. After ten o'clock the only 
 sound that broke the stillness of Manila was the 
 steady tramp, tramp of the soldiers as they moved 
 from one section to another or started for the 
 outskirts. 
 
 101 
 
192 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 The outbreak had occurred at a quarter to nine. 
 It lasted about three-quarters of an hour, and then 
 all became silent until about half-past ten, when 
 the Filipinos tried to bring an old howitzer and 
 several other field-guns into play, but with little 
 success. They had now concentrated their forces 
 at Santa Mesa, previously spoken of, Caloocan, to 
 the northward, and at Galingatin. Occasional fir- 
 ing continued until about four o'clock Sunday 
 morning, when another fierce attack was made, but 
 without success. At daybreak the American forces 
 received orders to advance all along the line. At 
 the same time the Monadnock began shelling the 
 Filipinos on the south shore, while other vessels 
 under Dewey's command shelled the rebels con- 
 centrating around Caloocan. 
 
 One of the first advances to be made on Sunday 
 was that by the Nebraskans who had been instru- 
 mental in bringing on the general engagement. 
 Long before it was daylight, they had advanced 
 well toward San Juan hill, hoping to take the 
 water works. Aided by a Utah battery, they 
 took a strong position overlooking the bridge upon 
 which the Filipinos had concentrated. As day 
 came on, one fierce skirmish after another took 
 
THE SECOND DAY OF THE ATTACK 193 
 
 place, but the Americans advanced steadily, took 
 the bridge and held it, and at last gained the hill 
 itself, being reenforced by another battery, and a 
 battalion of Tennessee volunteers. The Filipinos, 
 however, were not subdued, and simply retired to 
 another hill, a short distance to the northeast. 
 
 To the southeast the rebels had made a strong 
 stand at what was called Paco Church. The road 
 leading to this place was thickly lined with bam- 
 boo huts, and in these the Filipino sharpshooters 
 secreted themselves, firing on a small body of 
 Americans at first and killing the driver of a car- 
 riage and putting their bullets into an ambulance 
 belonging to the Red Cross Society. A reserve 
 force, consisting of several companies of Califor- 
 nians, were sent after the sharpshooters, who were 
 rooted out, and who then fled to the church and 
 convent at Paco. Here the Californians continued 
 to fire at them, while a battery, the Sixth Artillery, 
 shelled the church and knocked in a portion of the 
 roof. Finally, the building was set on fire, and 
 the Filipinos fled, leaving large numbers of dead 
 and wounded behind them. 
 
 Such was the main fighting to the eastward. 
 Down on the south shore, near Singalon, the fight- 
 
194 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 ing was just as fierce. Here the highway was a 
 narrow one, with a veritable jungle of brush upon 
 either side, and here the Fourteenth United States 
 Regulars were caught and would have been anni- 
 hilated, had it not been for the opportune arrival 
 of other troops. The fighting of the rebels was 
 worthy of a better cause, and it seemed as if they 
 would never be driven back, but would instead 
 make a straight rush into Manila. But at last, 
 with a battalion of Americans in front of them, 
 the right wing of General Ovenshine's brigade at 
 their flank, and the Monterey shelling them at a 
 distance, they gave up their intrenchments one 
 after another and fled into the jungle and to a 
 village four miles away. 
 
 Along the winding Pasig the battle was waged 
 with equal vigor. This stream is built up for sev- 
 eral miles beyond Manila proper, and the bamboo 
 houses along its banks contained rebels and those 
 who were secretly in sympathy with Aguinaldo's 
 forces. To clean out such a " nest " was no light 
 work, for while wanting to get at all who were 
 in the fight the Americans did not desire to harm 
 the non-combatants or the women and children. 
 Hence the fighting was long drawn out, and a 
 
THE SECOND DAY OF THE ATTACK 195 
 
 large number of huts were burned down and other 
 property destroyed. The non-combatants fled into 
 Manila, carrying white rags, and these signals of 
 peace were flown from the houses in the city 
 where they took refuge. 
 
 On the north of the city the fight was for what 
 is known as Cemetery Ridge, a long stretch of 
 upland, covered here and there with groves of 
 trees and tropical brush, and at other points with 
 neglected plantations. Toward the top of the hill 
 is a large cemetery, and near it the Binondo 
 church, with a Chinese church not far off. 
 Through this territory a well-kept road runs into 
 Caloocan, lined on both sides with huts and houses, 
 the greater portion of them deserted. Here is 
 also located the only railroad in the island of 
 Luzon, a single-track affair running to several 
 cities and towns still further north. 
 
 On Sunday morning the advance northward was 
 made by five distinct commands : the Kansas vol- 
 unteers, who acted close to the water's edge, next 
 some regular artillery, but without guns, and then 
 the volunteers from Montana, Pennsylvania, and 
 South Dakota. Once again the company to which 
 Ben belonged found itself on the firing line, and 
 
196 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 at nine o'clock came the order for the first and 
 second battalions to advance, the third battalion 
 being held in reserve. 
 
 " It's rather tough, after a night without sleep," 
 remarked Lieutenant Ross. " But I suppose it's best 
 to follow these rebels up, now we have started in." 
 
 " If we don't follow them up, they'll be right 
 down on top of us again," answered Ben. "I 
 go in for giving them a sound thrashing. It's 
 the only way to bring them to terms. By the 
 way, I wonder if they have heard anything more 
 about Gilbert Pennington." 
 
 "They found his gun down in that rice field. 
 The rebels are hard up for weapons, but they won't 
 take our Springfields. They want Mauser rifles, 
 or none at all. I reckon they think our old guns 
 make too much smoke," concluded Ross and hurried 
 off to the field. 
 
 Ever since Gilbert had been reported missing, 
 Ben had worried about his chum. Had it been 
 possible, he would have gone off on a still hunt for 
 the Southerner, but at present every officer and 
 man was needed in the ranks. I'll try to get off 
 as soon as fighting comes to an end for the day," 
 he said to himself. 
 
THE SECOND DAY OF THE ATTACK 197 
 
 The first battalion was spread out to a con- 
 siderable distance along the small stream previously 
 mentioned. Since sunrise not an insurgent had 
 appeared in sight, and for over two hours not a 
 single shot had been fired in the vicinity. But 
 all felt that this was the calm before the storm. 
 
 " Boys, we are going across yonder rice field," 
 sang out Major Morris. " If the rebels show them- 
 selves, fire at will. Forward — March! " 
 
 "Forward — March!" repeated Captain Larch- 
 more, and away went Company D, on the left 
 flank, with Company H of the second battalion 
 directly behind it. The brook had scarcely been 
 crossed, than there came a crack of Mausers from 
 the jungle of brush far ahead, and one man went 
 down, hit in the leg. 
 
 The opening fire of the Filipinos was answered 
 by a rallying cry from the Americans, and an 
 almost solid volley was fired in return. Whether 
 or not it was effective could not then be ascer- 
 tained. The advance was now increased to a 
 double quick, and shooting became general upon 
 both sides. 
 
 "Sure, an' this bes a great battlefield!" cried 
 Dan Casey, as he sank up to his ankles in the 
 
198 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 sticky mud. "It's worse nor the bogs av ould 
 Ireland, so it is! " 
 
 "Neffer mind, Dan, I vos haul you out!" 
 answered Stummer. And slinging his rifle over 
 his shoulder he pulled so hard that when Casey 
 came out, the German volunteer slipped back and 
 went flat. 
 
 " Now, bedad, ye have done it ! " howled the 
 Irishman. " Here, up ye come, an' none the worse 
 fer the wather an' mud on yer back! Forward, 
 an' don't let that cartridge belt slip away, or that 
 ould smoke-maker will be no good to yez! " And 
 he buckled up Stummer's belt. The fall had 
 caused a break in the advancing line, but this was 
 not noticed, as breaks soon became general, al- 
 though more or less of a straight front was con- 
 stantly maintained. 
 
 As the Americans came closer to the brush the 
 rebels increased their fire, and several additional 
 men went down. But the streaks of fire from the 
 Mausers could now be seen distinctly, and each 
 became a target for one or more American bullets. 
 
 "Let them have it, men — don't falter!" cried 
 Captain Larchmore. " We will soon be under 
 shelter. Come on!" And he led the way, fol- 
 
THE SECOND DAY OF THE ATTACK 199 
 
 lowed by his first lieutenant and by Ben, all 
 anxious to get into the fray. 
 
 The shooting was now at such close range that 
 orders came to drop, and down went the long 
 line, at first on one knee and then flat on the 
 men's chests. Just ahead was a little bank of 
 dirt, thrown up from a ditch to one side of the 
 rice field, and this offered a small but welcome 
 shelter during the time that the command stopped 
 to get its second wind. 
 
 "Those fellows are stubborn fighters," whis- 
 pered Captain Larchmore to Ben. " They are 
 doing better than I expected. It is going to be 
 no picnic cleaning out yonder jungle." 
 
 "There is a rise of ground just ahead," answered 
 the young lieutenant. " Have you any idea what 
 is beyond?" 
 
 "Another plain and an abandoned plantation. 
 Following that comes a second hill, and further on 
 is the cemetery and the Binondo church. One of 
 the scouts told the major that that next field is 
 cut up by wire fences." 
 
 "That makes it bad, captain. I had all I want 
 of wire fencing at San Juan in Cuba. At one of 
 the fences the Spanish had put up we lost the 
 
200 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 majority of those that went under. But it can't 
 be helped, and we'll have to make the best of it," 
 concluded Ben, as he leaped to his proper position 
 again, as the bugle sounded the command for 
 another advance. 
 
CHAPTER XXI 
 
 THE TAKING OF CEMETERY RIDGE 
 
 The firing was now general for a distance of 
 over a dozen miles, and several of the warships 
 in the bay were making matters as lively as pos- 
 sible for the insurgents. But the rebels had one 
 advantage : they knew the ground they were trav- 
 ersing thoroughly, and when they retreated they 
 did all they could to lead the Americans into dan- 
 gerous swamps and open plains, while they them- 
 selves took to the jungle, the hills, and other points 
 where the bullets of the enemy could not easily 
 find them. 
 
 But our soldiers had waited too long for this 
 opening of hostilities to hold back, no matter what 
 the consequences. Those who had lain in the 
 trenches for months, in burning sunshine and piti- 
 less rain, were wild to "pitch in," and nothing 
 could stop them from making long advances in 
 every direction. "We'll show the rebels that we 
 
 201 
 
202 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 can wax 'em, if only we're allowed to do it," said 
 one old regular from Idaho, and his words expressed 
 the sentiment of his whole company. 
 
 From the trench in the rice field the distance 
 to the nearest brush was less than sixty yards, yet 
 to cover this space was extremely perilous, and all 
 those in the first battalion realized it only too 
 well. 
 
 "Sure, an' thim nagers is onto us," muttered 
 Casey, as he hopped up. " See that, now ! " 
 
 " Down ! " came the cry, when less than half the 
 distance had been covered, and down the command 
 went, while a perfect storm of bullets swept 
 over the men's heads. Before the rebels could fire 
 again, the Americans had discharged a volley in 
 return, and the first fringe of brush was gained. 
 Seeing this, the insurgents took to the jungle lead- 
 ing up to the hill upon which the cemetery already 
 described was located. 
 
 The sun was under a cloud, and it looked as if 
 it would rain, but even in the shadow of the tropi- 
 cal trees the air was stifling. Already some of the 
 soldiers had thrown away their blanket rolls, and 
 now more followed. " I've got to do it, or fall be- 
 hind ! " panted one private to Ben, when the second 
 
THE TAKING OF CEMETERY RIDGE 203 
 
 lieutenant expostulated. " This heat is killing ! " 
 Others said the same, and the rolls were left where 
 they fell, to be hunted for later on, when the ad- 
 vance should be a thing of the past. 
 
 It was now that Ben got his first taste of a 
 genuine tropical jungle, with its palms and plan- 
 tains, enormous ferns, gum trees, mangoes, guavas, 
 oranges, and citrons, all interlaced with the palasan, 
 a thick vine which grows to the length of several 
 hundred feet, and which gives forth a rank odor 
 when crushed under foot. The soil was black, in 
 some places little better than muck, and when dis- 
 turbed showed itself to be full of beetles, ants, 
 lizards, toads, and various other insects and small 
 animals, as well as snakes. 
 
 " This beats Cuba," said Ben. " Even the jungle 
 at La Guasima wasn't as bad as this." He won- 
 dered if they would ever get through, but said 
 nothing on that point, not wishing to discourage 
 the men under him. 
 
 " The rebels have turned to the left," announced 
 Captain Larchmore, after receiving the news from 
 an advanced guard composed of three picked sharp- 
 shooters. "I believe there is something of a road 
 in that direction. We'll try it and see." 
 
204 | UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 "They may be leading us into a trap," muttered 
 Ross. 
 
 "We'll go slow," answered the commander, and 
 on they went, breaking through the brush as best 
 they could. In some spots swords and pocket 
 knives had to be used freely. 
 
 " There is somebody crying for help ! " exclaimed 
 Ben, as a faint moan reached his ears. He moved 
 in the direction of the sound and found a wounded 
 Filipino propped up against the roots of a mango 
 tree. The man's eyes had a glassy stare and it 
 was easy to see that he was dying. 
 
 " Can I do anything for you ? " asked Ben, kindly, 
 and pointed to his canteen, half filled with water. 
 But at this the insurgent shook his head fiercely. 
 Then suddenly he picked up his rifle with one 
 hand, pointed the muzzle toward the young lieu- 
 tenant, and pulled the trigger. 
 
 Had the weapon been loaded, Ben would have 
 been killed on the spot. But luckily the Mauser 
 was empty, and nothing but the snapping of the 
 trigger to the weapon followed. " You treacher- 
 ous rascal ! " cried Ben, when, throwing up both 
 arms, the Filipino fell over on his face, dead. At 
 first the young soldier thought he was shamming 
 
" He's a goner, lieutenant." — Page 204. 
 
THE TAKING OF CEMETERY RIDGE 205 
 
 and drew his pistol in order to avoid further treach- 
 ery, but Casey came rushing up and turned the 
 dead man over with his gun, and Ben readily saw 
 that life was indeed extinct. 
 
 " He's a goner, lieutenant," said the Irish volun- 
 teer. "He saved me the trouble av killin' him." 
 
 " He was a bad one, that's certain," murmured 
 Ben. He could scarcely speak, the scene had so 
 unnerved him. Such treachery was almost beyond 
 his comprehension. He had yet to learn that the 
 Filipinos are of two classes, those who are as upright 
 and honest as any nation on the face of the earth, 
 and those of almost pure Malayan blood, who are 
 full of cunning and trickery, and who have abso- 
 lutely no conscience. 
 
 As Captain Larchmore had surmised, there was 
 a jungle path to the left, and into this the first 
 battalion turned, the men crowding onward four 
 abreast. The path was much choked up and many 
 a face and hand was badly scratched. Presently 
 the men in front came to an unexpected halt. 
 
 " We're blocked ! The rebels have put us into 
 a trap ! " 
 
 " What's the trouble now ? " asked a score of 
 voices at once. 
 
206 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 "There is a quagmire ahead and the logs that 
 lay over it have been hauled away." 
 
 This reply was partly drowned by a volley of 
 musketry from ahead and still further to the 
 left. Here was a slight rise of ground occupied 
 by fully three hundred Filipinos, all well armed, 
 those without good firing pieces having continued 
 to retreat, carrying the majority of their wounded 
 with them. 
 
 For the moment, the Americans were non- 
 plussed ; then a rapid search was made along the 
 quagmire for a suitable spot at which to cross. 
 At the same time, the soldiers fired at every 
 Filipino who showed himself, and cries of pain 
 and rage told plainly that many a bullet reached 
 its mark. 
 
 Ben's company had branched off to the ex- 
 treme right, by order of the major of the battal- 
 ion. Here the quagmire was not over twenty feet 
 broad. Still it was deep and exceedingly sticky, 
 and not a man dared to venture into it. 
 
 "Of a fellow got into dot up to his middle, not 
 a dozen horses could pull him owit ! " exclaimed 
 Stummer. " Dot mud vos worse nor glue alretty." 
 
 "We've got to get over somehow," cried Ben. 
 
THE TAKING OF CEMETERY RIDGE 207 
 
 " Our formation is all cut up here, and those 
 Filipinos can pick us off at will. I think I see 
 a way over. It's worth trying, at any rate." 
 
 He pointed to several tall trees growing upon 
 either side of the quagmire. Between the trees 
 hung several festoons of the rope like palasan vine, 
 one of them within easy reach. 
 
 "That's risky," shouted the captain; still, when 
 Ben began to climb along the vine, he did not 
 attempt to stop the young volunteer. Soon the 
 youth was well out and in plain view of the in- 
 surgents. A shot rang forth, but the bullet sped 
 several feet overhead, and in a second more Ben 
 was safe in the brush beyond. 
 
 What one could do more could do, and in a 
 twinkling the vines growing over the quagmire 
 were alive with soldiers. Fortunately the palasan 
 is strong, and wherever its creepers take hold they 
 are bound to stay ; so the number of soldiers that 
 fell into the sticky mud was small, and these 
 were rescued without serious damage being done. 
 But now the rebels had the range of the spot, 
 and a scattering fire put several Americans out 
 of the contest forever, while twice as many more 
 had to be sent to the field hospital in the rear. 
 
208 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 It was soon found that the body of insurgents 
 ahead were located on an isolated hill not over 
 twenty acres in extent, and the Americans at once 
 determined, if possible, to surround them and cut 
 them off from the rest of their army. 
 
 " The first battalion will push along on the right, 
 the second on the left, and the third will keep 
 well to the front," ordered the colonel of the regi- 
 ment. And he added that the first two divisions 
 were to keep out of sight as much as possible. 
 
 The latter order meant more cutting through 
 the jungle. There was also a stream to cross, the 
 banks of which were slimy with decayed vegeta- 
 tion. The heat was now greater than ever, and 
 several members of Company D dropped out, in- 
 cluding the first lieutenant. 
 
 " I can't go on ! " panted Ross. " My head is 
 spinning like a top. Go on and wipe 'em out ! " 
 and he sank in the shade, completely exhausted. 
 Ben at once notified the captain, and two men 
 were detailed to carry the first lieutenant to the 
 rear, while Ben became the second in command. 
 
 Inside of half an hour, the rear of the little hill 
 had been gained by Companies D and E of Ben's 
 regiment. So far these companies had not fired 
 
THE TAKING OF CEMETERY RIDGE 209 
 
 a shot since leaving the quagmire, but now, con- 
 trary to orders, half a dozen privates let drive, 
 bringing down two rebels and advising them of 
 the true situation. 
 
 " That's too bad ! " cried Captain Larchmore. 
 " We ought to have waited for reinforcements. 
 But it can't be helped now. Here they come. 
 Stand firm, men, and give it to them hot. Take 
 aim — fire ! " And the long line of Springfield 
 rifles spoke up, creating great havoc in the first 
 company of Filipinos and bringing the whole com- 
 mand to a halt. 
 
 But the rebel leader now realized fully that 
 unless he made a desperate effort his command 
 would be hemmed in and annihilated, and again 
 he urged his fellows forward, using the favorite 
 battle-cry: " Viva la Republica Filipina 1 '" — Long 
 live the Philippine Republic ! 
 
 The first shock was terrific, and a score of men 
 went down in the twinkling of an eye. Rifles 
 were discharged at close range, and then, as there 
 was not time to reload, bayonets sprung into use, 
 or the weapons were used as clubs. Ben soon 
 found himself surrounded, and cut out right and 
 left with his sword. Once he felt the blow of a 
 
210 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 gun on his shoulder, and swung around to catch, 
 the rebel in the side with his blade, causing the 
 man to flee with a yell of pain. 
 
 " Captain Larchmore is down ! " Who uttered 
 the cry Ben could not tell. Looking in the di- 
 rection where the gallant captain had stood, the 
 young lieutenant could see nothing of him. But 
 there was a crowd of Filipinos there and half a 
 dozen American soldiers among them, and he hur- 
 ried to the spot with all speed. 
 
 The captain had been thrown in a most unex- 
 pected manner. While striking at a Filipino in 
 front of him, somebody had shot the man down, 
 and he had pitched headlong and the American 
 over him. Before the captain could rise, several 
 of the rebels were at him, anxious to hack the 
 officer of the " vile Americanos " to pieces. The 
 captain had used his pistol with some effect, but 
 now the weapon was empty. 
 
 As Ben came upon the scene, he found a short, 
 heavy-set Filipino in the act of stabbing his com- 
 mander in the back with a bayonet, while a sec- 
 ond rebel was about to club the unfortunate 
 officer in the head with the butt of his Mauser. 
 
 It was a time in which to think and act quickly, 
 
THE TAKING OF CEMETERY RIDGE 211 
 
 and it must be confessed that Ben did his acting 
 first and his thinking afterward. Taking aim at 
 the fellow with the bayonet, he pulled the trigger 
 of his pistol and took the insurgent directly in 
 the neck, inflicting an ugly if not a fatal wound. 
 Then he fired a second time, and the rebel who 
 had thought to use his gun as a club staggered 
 back with a ball in his shoulder. Ben had learned 
 to shoot straight, and just now he meant business. 
 
 " Lieutenant Russell, you have saved my life ! " 
 burst out Captain Larchmore. " I'll not forget 
 you for this ! " And then he ran on, to call his 
 scattered command together. Ben went after him, 
 and soon the broken line was re-formed. But the 
 insurgents could not be forced back, and, breaking 
 through, they fled helter-skelter over a plain and 
 up Cemetery Ridge, leaving the dead and wounded 
 behind them, as well as over a score who threw 
 down their arms and gave themselves up as pris- 
 oners of war. 
 
 " We've got them on the run ! " was the cry. 
 " Don't give them a chance to rest, boys ! Pour 
 it into 'em hot ! " And away went the American 
 soldiers, the officers in many cases leading. Soon 
 the outskirts of the cemetery itself were gained, 
 
212 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 and the Chinese church became plainly visible 
 through the smoke which arose on every side. 
 
 " The cemetery is all cut up with wire fences," 
 cried Ben, after a survey through a pair of field 
 glasses. " We'll have a fine job getting up to 
 the church." 
 
 "And the whole place is alive with rebels,' 
 answered Captain Larchmore. " Those headstones 
 make famous shelters." 
 
 From over to the right and the left of the 
 regiment the firing was incessant, showing that 
 the other portions of the American army were 
 not idle. All the troops mentioned in the first 
 advance were closing up toward the hill, and in 
 addition a Utah battery had come up and was 
 firing heavy shells into the church, which, it could 
 plainly be seen, was crowded with Filipinos. In 
 the meantime there was another hot fight going 
 on in the vicinity of the Binondo church. 
 
 In a minute more Company D was over the 
 wall of the cemetery and rushing with all speed 
 up the slope to the first of the wire barriers. A 
 volley from the Chinese edifice greeted them, fol- 
 lowed by another from a body of rebels lying 
 in a slight hollow toward the other church. 
 
THE TAKING OF CEMETERY RIDGE 213 
 
 " Fire at will ! " shouted the commander, and 
 the constant crack ! crack ! of hundreds of Spring- 
 field rifles answered the command, clearing the 
 windows of both churches in an instant. Then 
 came a rush of insurgents across the graveyard. 
 Some were cut down, but the majority reached the 
 churches, and now the concentrated fire of the 
 Americans made the buildings " about the hottest 
 places on earth," as Ben afterward expressed it. 
 It was now after three o'clock, and the various com- 
 mands had been under fire from six to seven hours 
 without anything to eat and very little to drink. 
 
 But the contest so gloriously waged was soon 
 to come to an end. Against such forces as were 
 on hand and such as were coming up, the rebels 
 could not hope to hold out, and soon they began 
 to leave the churches and the farther end of the 
 cemetery, first singly and then in squads and 
 companies. Seeing this, the hope of the Ameri- 
 cans arose higher than ever, and with a grand 
 hurrah they pressed on until the very last of the 
 Filipinos who was able had fled as fast as his 
 limbs could carry him. Cemetery Ridge was 
 ours, and the fighting to the north of Manila had 
 been as successful as that to the east and the south. 
 
CHAPTER XXII 
 
 BEN GOES ON A HUNT FOR GILBERT 
 
 Immediately after the fighting was over, the 
 wounded and those who had been prostrated by 
 the heat were cared for, and then the commissary 
 department took upon itself the task of transporting 
 food to the soldiers who had fought so gallantly. 
 
 It was an easy matter to supply the regiment 
 to which Ben belonged, and soon the cooks of 
 Company D were preparing the best meal at their 
 command, the " boys " in the meanwhile brushing 
 up their dirty and bedraggled uniforms and smoked 
 guns, and bathing in such water as was handy. 
 When it came to eating, every tin plate full of 
 food and cupful of coffee disappeared as if by 
 magic. In the meantime a strong picket guard 
 was sent some distance beyond the ridge, so that 
 the enemy might not steal in on the Americans 
 during the approaching night. But the picket 
 guard was unnecessary, for the Filipinos had had 
 
 214 
 
BEN GOES ON A HUNT FOR GILBERT 215 
 
 enough of fighting for the present, and were quite 
 willing to keep their distance. 
 
 It is safe to say that Aguinaldo's forces, as well 
 as the general himself and his immediate advisers, 
 were astonished and dismayed at what had oc- 
 curred. They had not dreamed that these Ameri- 
 cans, who in the past had lived such a "free and 
 easy " life in and around Manila, and who had even 
 submitted (it was under strict orders from head- 
 quarters) to the petty insults which the rebels 
 offered without resentment in force, could rise up 
 and wage war so fiercely and relentlessly. They 
 had looked for a mild battle and then a rush into 
 Manila, and Aguinaldo had even arranged for 
 feeding his army inside of the city, rice and other 
 commodities being stored away in secret for that 
 purpose. But here they were utterly routed, and 
 with the Filipino army scattered in a dozen differ- 
 ent directions. It is safe to say that, had General 
 Otis had sufficient troops at this time to cover the 
 necessary territory, he could have crushed the 
 entire uprising in less than three days. But his 
 force was not large enough, and the most he could 
 do was to keep affairs in Manila quiet and guard 
 all the highways leading into the city. 
 
216 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 Ben was as hungry as anybody, and it did not 
 take him long to dispose of the food dealt out to 
 him. While he ate he conversed with Captain 
 Larchmore, and afterward with his major, and 
 learned that no other immediate advance was con- 
 templated ; instead, General Otis had sent word 
 that the column must rest as it was. 
 
 " If we aren't to do any fighting, I should like 
 a few hours' leave of absence," said Ben, and ex- 
 plained that he wished to take a look around in 
 the hope of learning what had become of Gilbert. 
 Permission to go was granted, and he hurried 
 away, taking with him a private of Company B, 
 who had been detailed to hunt up the missing 
 sergeant. The private's name was Ralph Sorrel, 
 and the young lieutenant found him a particularly 
 bright and handy fellow to have along. 
 
 " I kin take ye right down to whar I seed the 
 sergeant last, lieutenant," said Sorrel, who had come 
 from the mountains of Tennessee, and who was, 
 consequently, well up in woodcraft. " It war in 
 a leetle hollow a right smart step to the left o' 
 that water patch." 
 
 " Well, it's mighty odd what became of him. I can 
 hardly believe that the Filipinos made any prisoners. ,, 
 
BEN GOES ON A HUNT FOR GILBERT 217 
 
 " I don't think they did, lieutenant — not ez a 
 general rule. But it might be ez how they took 
 some, jess to see wot they could git out of 'em — 
 understand ? " 
 
 "Yes, I understand. Well, if they captured 
 Sergeant Pennington for that purpose — " 
 
 " They barked up the wrong tree — thet's right, 
 lieutenant. Sergeant Pennington would see 'em 
 all hanged afore he would open his jaw fer their 
 benefit. He's true blue, he is. I understand ye 
 an' him war chums. Wall, ye couldn't have no 
 better runnin' mate — no, sah ! " concluded Sorrel. 
 
 The Tennesseean was a tall, lank fellow who 
 believed in covering ground rapidly, and it was 
 all Ben could do to keep up with him. Long be- 
 fore sundown the abandoned rice field was gained 
 and a search instituted, which gradually led the 
 pair to a narrow road running up to what had once 
 been a small village of nipa huts, but which was 
 now little better than a heap of smouldering 
 ashes. 
 
 " This is the way a small lot of them rebels took," 
 said Sorrel, as he examined the ground with the 
 care of an Indian trailer. " Yere air the footprints 
 ez plain ez day — an' yere are the footprints of a 
 
218 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 pair of boots or shoes ! " went on the Tennesseean, 
 suddenly. 
 
 The tracks interested Ben, but he could make 
 little out of them. " I suppose some of the rebels 
 that came this way had shoes — "he began, when 
 Sorrel cut him short. 
 
 " They didn't have no sech footwear ez them, 
 lieutenant. Them's American-made hoof coverin's ; 
 mark my words ef they ain't." 
 
 " I don't believe it will do any harm to follow up 
 the tracks for a short distance, Sorrel," answered 
 the young officer. " But we must be careful and not 
 run into any ambush. I'm beginning to think these 
 Filipinos are as wily as Indians." 
 
 " Reckon they air, lieutenant. But we'll have 
 our eyes open for 'em," was the return, and Sorrel 
 examined his rifle, while Ben saw to it that his 
 pistol was ready for use. 
 
 The road was strewn with articles which the 
 rebels had thrown away on their retreat, — rifles, 
 clubs, and bits of wearing apparel, as well as cook- 
 ing-utensils. 
 
 " Hullo, here's something ! " cried Ben, after quar- 
 ter of a mile had been covered. He pointed to a 
 blanket roll lying in some bushes. Bringing it forth, 
 
BEN GOES ON A HUNT FOE GILBERT 219 
 
 he unrolled it and made an examination of the 
 contents. 
 
 " It's Gilbert's," he said soberly. " We are on 
 the right track, beyond a doubt. The question is, 
 how far have they taken him," 
 
 "An' if we kin git him away from the rebs," 
 added Sorrel. " I'm willin' to go in an' do my 
 best, lieutenant." 
 
 " Our best will depend upon how the land lies, 
 Sorrel. I'm willing to go ahead, too, but it will 
 be foolish to stick our heads into the lion's mouth 
 just to see what he's got in his throat. Now 
 which way ? " 
 
 As Ben concluded, they reached a fork in the 
 road. Here there had once stood a warehouse for 
 rice, but this was burned down, and a vast heap 
 of rice lay smouldering in the ruins. 
 
 "I reckon ez how they took the road to the 
 south, lieutenant." 
 
 "I believe you are right. If we — Down, 
 quick ! " 
 
 Ben dropped flat, and his companion was not 
 long in doing likewise. The young officer had 
 seen the glint of a Mauser barrel through some 
 foliage beside the road. Three reports rang out, 
 
220 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 but the trio of leaden messengers flew far over- 
 head, clipping the leaves of a mango tree as they 
 sped on their way. 
 
 As rapidly as he could bring his gun into posi- 
 tion, the tall Tennesseean fired. Sorrel was used 
 to hitting birds on the wing, and his skill as a 
 marksman proved itself by a sudden howl of pain 
 not fifty yards away. Ben wanted to fire, but by 
 the time he had risen again nobody was in sight. 
 
 " Hurry, lieutenant ! " yelled Sorrel, and started 
 for a series of rocks behind the burnt warehouse. 
 Again came a single report, and now Ben fired in 
 return. If the shot hit, the Filipino gave no sign. 
 But he withdrew as rapidly as he had appeared. 
 
 The rocks were not over four feet in height, 
 yet they afforded ample shelter from any attack 
 of the enemy on the opposite side of the road. 
 But back of the rocks was another jungle, and 
 both felt that the enemy might easily make a 
 detour and come up behind them. 
 
 " I reckon we're lookin' into the lion's mouth 
 now," observed Sorrel, as he proceeded to reload. 
 
 " So we are, and I don't like it. The best thing 
 we can do is to get out just as soon as possible." 
 
 "How?" 
 
BEN GOES ON A HUNT FOR GILBERT 221 
 
 "By taking to the wood behind us. It would 
 be foolishness to attempt to go ahead. More than 
 likely we are close to a rebel camp." 
 
 " All right ; I'm ready to move when you air," 
 answered Sorrel. 
 
 With weapons ready for use, they threw them- 
 selves on the ground and began to worm their 
 way through the tall grass in the direction of the 
 jungle. The distance to be covered was a little 
 over a hundred feet. With a heart that beat 
 rapidly, Ben wondered if they could make it with- 
 out being discovered. 
 
 " The darkness will help us a little," said Sorrel, 
 who read the young lieutenant's thoughts. " But 
 we have got to be mighty careful." 
 
 The grass had been thick near the rocks, but 
 as they approached the brush it grew more spar- 
 ingly, until there was left but little to cover them. 
 As they came out into full view, Ben set his 
 teeth hard. He fully expected a shot and won- 
 dered where it would hit him. But no shot came, 
 and in a few seconds more the jungle had hidden 
 them from view. 
 
 " We are well out of that," muttered Sorrel. " It 
 war a close shave, eh?" 
 
222 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 "I can't understand why they didn't shoot at 
 us again. They had a fair chance." 
 
 " Perhaps they war watchin' them rocks too 
 closely. Or else there may be some of 'em over 
 yere, an' — Hush ! " 
 
 Sorrel became silent and clutched Ben by the 
 arm. In the semi-darkness he had made out several 
 forms moving around a little clearing ahead of 
 them. Soon other forms appeared, until the two 
 counted eight Filipinos, all armed. 
 
 " We've fallen into a nest of them," whispered Ben. 
 "We had better retreat, and lose no time about it." 
 
 "To the road?" 
 
 "No, along this side of the road. There is no 
 use in uncovering ourselves until it is absolutely 
 necessary." 
 
 " Right ye air, lieutenant," was the Tennesseean's 
 comment. 
 
 It was no easy matter to move ahead in the 
 jungle, which seemed to grow thicker as they 
 advanced. Ben's hands and face were scratched, 
 and once he went down into a snake-hole up to his 
 knees. The reptiles, little fellows, came forth hiss- 
 ing fiercely, and the young lieutenant went crash- 
 ing on ahead to get out of the way. 
 
BEN GOES ON A HUNT FOR GILBERT 223 
 
 " I didn't bargain to fight snakes," said the youth, 
 when Sorrel asked what was the matter. " Ugh ! 
 what a hole to step into ! " And he shuddered. 
 
 "You've given 'em the alarm," said the tall 
 Tennesseean, a moment later. " The whole crowd 
 is piling this way just as fast as it can. I'll bet 
 they got word from the other side of the road that 
 we were around yere ! " 
 
CHAPTER XXIII 
 
 IN A FILIPINO ENCAMPMENT 
 
 Sorrel was right ; the Filipinos in the jungle 
 had received word from those who had first fired 
 upon the two Americans, and now the whole party 
 was in pursuit of the pair. 
 
 ''We can't get out fast enough," said Ben, as 
 they tried in vain to break their way through the 
 mass of brush and vines. " Those fellows can beat 
 us at the work ten to one. I think the best thing 
 we can do is to hide again." 
 
 "Kin ye shin up a tree, lieutenant, ef I give ye 
 a boost ? " asked Sorrel, and receiving a reply in 
 the affirmative, the Tennesseean helped Ben to 
 ascend a small mango, and quickly pulled himself 
 out of sight. 
 
 The movement was none too soon, for hardly 
 had they secreted themselves than the Filipinos 
 appeared, coming along in an irregular line which 
 spread out to the distance of a hundred feet. They 
 
 224 
 
IN A FILIPINO ENCAMPMENT 225 
 
 advanced as silently as shadows, and the Americans 
 hardly dared to breathe as they passed under the 
 mango tree. 
 
 "That war another narrow shave," chuckled 
 Sorrel, when the danger appeared to be past. 
 " Those fellows won't miss a thing that is on the 
 ground." 
 
 " Then how about our footprints and the vines 
 we ripped to pieces ? " asked Ben. " I think we 
 had better be making tracks." 
 
 "Right ag'in, lieutenant. Down we go!" and 
 Sorrel dropped to the ground. Ben came after 
 him, and once more they set off, but in a different 
 direction from that which the rebels had taken. 
 
 It was now growing dark rapidly, and soon they 
 found it impossible to see a dozen feet ahead of 
 them. They were ascending a hill, but in what 
 direction neither could tell. The ground was be- 
 coming very stony and rough, and presently Ben 
 called a halt. 
 
 " We are lost in the jungle, and there is no use 
 in going ahead unless we know where we are going 
 to," he said. "There doesn't seem to be a roacl 
 anywhere." 
 
 " I was in hopes we should git to the top o' the 
 
226 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 hill an' have a chance to squint around," answered 
 Sorrel. " I don't think the top is far off, because 
 we have climbed a considerable distance, an' none 
 o' these hills air very tall." 
 
 "All right then, we'll go on a bit further, al- 
 though this fighting through is mighty tiresome," 
 said the young lieutenant. 
 
 The Tennesseean's surmise proved correct, and 
 five minutes later they reached a small clearing, 
 overlooking the Pasig River and the jungle through 
 which they had passed. Far in the distance 
 twinkled the lights of Manila and closer by could 
 be seen the campfires of a portion of the American 
 army. Behind the hill burnt other campfires, be- 
 longing to the insurgents. 
 
 "We have turned around considerable, I allow," 
 remarked Sorrel, as he surveyed the situation. "If 
 I ain't mistaken thet's a road down to the left." 
 
 " I think so, too," said Ben, straining his eyes in 
 the direction. "But if it is, I'm afraid we'll have 
 a tough time getting to it, for the jungle in that 
 direction is thicker than where we came through. 
 We might try — Hullo, there is another campfire 
 springing up, right behind us ! " 
 
 The young lieutenant pointed with his hand, 
 
OT A FILIPINO ENCAMPMENT 227 
 
 and they watched what was taking place with in- 
 terest. He had seen a bit of a dry branch burn- 
 ing. This was applied to a heap of brush, and 
 extra wood was piled on top. The blaze was a 
 bright one, and by the light Ben made out the 
 forms of a score of Filipinos and one white man. 
 
 "There is a soldier — " he began, when Sorrel 
 cut him short. 
 
 " Sergeant Pennington, lieutenant ! " he ejacu- 
 lated. " We struck it putty close, after all, didn't 
 we?" 
 
 " It is Gilbert ! " exclaimed Ben. " He doesn't 
 seem to be wounded, either. He has his hands 
 tied behind him." 
 
 " Let us git a bit closer," suggested the tall 
 Tennesseean. 
 
 Ben was willing, and leaving the clearing, they 
 dove once more into the jungle. Both had been 
 careful to obtain "the lay of the land," and they 
 pursued a straight course for the campfire of the 
 enemy, which lay in a tiny hollow close beside a 
 spring of pure, cold water. 
 
 " Be careful, there may be pickets out," whispered 
 Ben, as they approached to a point where the occu- 
 pants of the camp could be plainly distinguished. 
 
228 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 " I don't see a soul, lieutenant. I reckon they've 
 gone in to feed," was Sorrel's reply. He was right ; 
 all the Filipinos were gathered around the fire, 
 eager to obtain what two of the number were deal- 
 ing out. In the meantime, Gilbert had been loosely 
 bound to a tree. 
 
 "I wonder if I can't crawl up behind that tree 
 and cut him loose," muttered Ben, after a long 
 pause, during which the pair had watched what 
 was going on. 
 
 "Don't be rash, lieutenant. Cutting him free 
 ain't gittin' him away, remember. We've got to 
 do the trick slick-like, or we'll have thet whole 
 tribe down on us in a jiffy," returned Sorrel, as 
 he threw himself flat on his chest and crawled 
 closer to where Gilbert stood a prisoner. 
 
 The Filipinos were a well-dressed set, quite in 
 contrast to the majority of Aguinaldo's army. All 
 were armed with Mauser rifles, and carried pistols 
 in addition. They were commanded by a captain, 
 — a lean, hungry -looking Tagal with a most vil- 
 lanous expression. 
 
 As Ben and Sorrel paused to consider the situa- 
 tion, the leader of the Filipinos approached Gil- 
 bert, swinging his sword in his hand as he did so. 
 
IN A FILIPINO ENCAMPMENT 229 
 
 "Is he going to harm Gilbert, do you think?" 
 whispered Ben hurriedly, at the same time finger- 
 ing his pistol nervously. 
 
 " He won't have time," was Sorrel's laconic 
 reply, as he drew a bead on the advancing cap- 
 tain. " The gun kin do the trick surer nor thet 
 pistol, lieutenant." 
 
 " Then you can have the first shot, if it becomes 
 necessary," agreed Ben. 
 
 "Well, which do you Americano choose?" de- 
 manded the Filipino, in such good English that 
 the young lieutenant was astonished. 
 
 "I have already given you my answer," came 
 from Gilbert, in a dry, husky voice. 
 
 "You will neither join nor give us information?" 
 
 "That is what I said." 
 
 " You would like to eat and drink ? " 
 
 " Yes, I want water, and you are a brute to keep 
 it from me," cried the young Southerner. 
 
 " We are not brutes, sefior ; we play the art of 
 war, as you Americanos call it. You come here 
 and would take our beloved country from us. 
 What say you if the Filipinos come to the United 
 States and take them from you ? " 
 
 " We won't argue that point, captain. But I can 
 
230 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 tell you one things — we don't treat our prisoners of 
 war in this fashion. As long as we have it, we give 
 them enough to eat and to drink. You haven't 
 given me a drop of water since you captured me." 
 
 " And not a drop shall you drink until you are 
 willing to speak, or swear to join us." 
 
 " Do you think I would become a traitor to my 
 own country ? " demanded Gilbert. " You don't 
 know us Americans." 
 
 " Bah ! You are talking that of which you know 
 nothing," retorted the Filipino. " In our army we 
 already have fifty or more Americanos. They know 
 we are in the right and have joined us willingly." 
 
 "They are traitors, nevertheless, captain, and I 
 reckon most of them are fellows who are better out 
 of our army than in it — chaps who are continually 
 getting into trouble with their officers." 
 
 "They are noble men," growled the Filipino 
 leader. He scowled deeply. "You will not 
 join us?" 
 
 "As I said before, no." 
 
 " And you will not give us the information we 
 seek?" 
 
 "I don't know anything — I am a common 
 soldier." 
 
IN A FILIPINO ENCAMPMENT 231 
 
 " Again I say, bah ! You know a great deal. 
 You are a spy. If not, why did you try to enter 
 our lines on the sly, tell me that ? " 
 
 " I was partly overcome by the heat and did not 
 know what I was doing. I thought I was walking 
 toward our own line," answered Gilbert, and he told 
 the exact truth. " If I had dreamed I was coming 
 this way, I would have turned back at once." 
 
 " It is only another of your Yankee tricks ! " 
 replied the Filipino captain. "Will you speak or 
 will you not? This is the last time I shall ask the 
 question. If you refuse to speak, I shall order you 
 shot." 
 
 "Will General Aguinaldo allow such a proceed- 
 ing ? " asked Gilbert, his face growing pale. 
 
 " General Aguinaldo is not here. We are com- 
 manded by General Maxacosta — and we do as we 
 please. We cannot be bothered with prisoners, so 
 you must either join us and tell us all you know, or 
 I will order up a guard to shoot you." 
 
 " I won't join and I have nothing to tell," cried 
 Gilbert, desperately. " If you kill me, my blood 
 will be on your head." 
 
 " And what of the blood of the thousands of poor 
 Filipinos who have been slaughtered this day? 
 
232 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 Their souls cry for vengeance ! They did not 
 deserve death, for they simply fought for what 
 your grandfathers fought in your war with England 
 — your freedom. We too will one day be free — 
 America shall never rule us ! " 
 
 Thus speaking, the Filipino captain turned away, 
 his face full of rage and hate, for the defeat on the 
 battlefield had made him more bitter than ever 
 against the Americans. Approaching the campfire, 
 he called forth three of the Tagal soldiers and told 
 them what he wanted done. At once the fellows 
 picked up their rifles, saw to it that they were 
 properly loaded, and stepped forth in line, ready 
 to shoot Gilbert down at the word of command. 
 
CHAPTER XXIV 
 
 INTO THE JUNGLE AND OUT 
 
 Ben and his tall companion had listened to the 
 conversation just recorded with keen interest. It 
 was evident that the Filipino captain was what is 
 popularly known as a fire-eater, and intended to 
 let nothing stand in the way of doing as he chose. 
 He took Gilbert for a spy, and he intended that 
 the young Southerner should either tell him all he 
 knew and turn traitor to the United States, or 
 else suffer death. 
 
 Gilbert's position was a truly perilous one, and 
 he cannot be blamed if his heart leaped into his 
 throat as he thought that his last hour on earth 
 had come. It is no mean thing to face death, 
 and no one realized it more than did this gallant 
 young man who had made such a record for him- 
 self as a Rough Rider in Cuba. 
 
 But at the moment when he thought death so 
 near, the Southerner's hopes revived with a shock 
 
 233 
 
234 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 that nearly overcame him. From around the back 
 of the tree to which he was bound appeared a 
 hand, holding a sharp pocket-knife. A slash, and 
 he found that his hands were once more free. 
 
 " Gilbert, follow me into the jungle, quick ! " 
 The voice was low and excited, yet he recognized 
 Ben's tones instantly. Scarcely had the words been 
 uttered than the young lieutenant started on the 
 retreat. 
 
 Dumfounded, the young sergeant could not move 
 for a second or two. " I must be dreaming ! " he 
 thought ; but as his hands came free he understood, 
 and glided around the tree trunk like a flash. 
 But, as quick as he was, two of the soldiers saw 
 him. 
 
 " The American is escaping ! " one of them cried, 
 in his native dialect — a very corrupt sort of Span- 
 ish. He raised his gun and fired, and the second 
 soldier did the same. Then the captain saw what 
 had occurred, and raised his pistol. 
 
 " The American pig shall die ! " he yelled, but 
 ere he could pull the trigger of his weapon Ralph 
 Sorrel fired, and the Filipino leader fell into one 
 of his men's arms, mortally wounded. 
 
 " Ben ! by all that's glorious ! " exclaimed Gilbert, 
 
INTO THE JUNGLE AND OUT 235 
 
 as he almost stumbled into his chum's arms. " How 
 in the world did you get here ? " 
 
 " There is no time to answer questions now," was 
 the hurried reply. " Come this way, and make haste, 
 for we'll soon have that whole crowd down on us." 
 
 The young lieutenant was running into the jungle 
 as fast as he could. Gilbert followed in his foot- 
 steps, and Sorrel brought up in the rear, reloading 
 his Springfield with all speed. 
 
 The shooting of the captain disconcerted the Fili- 
 pinos for a minute or two, and all gathered around 
 the fallen form to see how badly he was wounded. 
 Sorrel's bullet had lodged in his chest, and several 
 saw at once that there was no hope of the man's 
 recovery. 
 
 " After the Americano, and after those who are 
 aiding him to escape ! " shouted the second in com- 
 mand. " They must not be allowed to escape ! 
 This crime must be avenged ! " And he led the 
 search, with half of the company following. 
 
 The Americans had gained a lead of a hundred 
 feet when they heard the rebels coming behind 
 them. Although it was now pitch dark, the Fili- 
 pinos followed the trail readily, several of them 
 being accustomed to jungle life from childhood. 
 
236 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 "Let's give 'em a shot," suggested Sorrel, and 
 swung his rifle into place. The report of the gun 
 was followed by two cracks from Ben's pistol. 
 A scream of pain told them that at least one of the 
 enemy had been struck. 
 
 The firing, however, uncovered the position of 
 the Americans, aud before they could shift, several 
 of the Filipinos let fly a volley in return. The 
 report had scarcely rung out when Ben heard 
 Sorrel utter a subdued " Oh ! " 
 
 "Are you hit?" 
 
 "Yes, in the shoulder," came with a gasp. 
 " Hang the luck ! I'm done fer, so far ez firin' is 
 concerned ! " and the tall Tennesseean's rifle fell to 
 the ground. "Take it, Pennington, an' go on. 
 Don't mind me." And Sorrel gave another gasp 
 of pain. 
 
 "I shan't leave you," answered Gilbert, decid- 
 edly. " You risked your life to save mine. Come 
 on, if you can walk. We'll find a hiding-place 
 somewhere." He took the rifle and slipped a 
 cartridge into it from Sorrel's belt, his own being 
 empty. 
 
 They had been heading eastward, directly for 
 Manila. A few feet further on they came to a 
 
¥ 
 
 % - 
 
 " He and Gilbert raised the body between them." — Page 237. 
 
INTO THE JUNGLE AND OUT 237 
 
 sudden drop in the ground. " Here is a gully ; 
 perhaps we can hide in it," whispered Ben, and 
 made such an examination as the darkness admitted. 
 He was soon down beside a tiny watercourse. On 
 the opposite bank was a series of rocks, thickly 
 overgrown with vines and brush. 
 
 " Let me help you down, Sorrel," he went on. 
 " Here is water, and that will leave no trail. We 
 are bound to get away if we — he's fainted ! " 
 
 Ben was right ; unable to stand the pain in his 
 shoulder, the tall Tennesseean had collapsed, falling 
 almost on top of the young lieutenant. Ben 
 braced him up, and then both he and Gilbert 
 raised the body between them and hurried on. 
 
 The load was heavy, and it was fortunate that 
 they did not have to carry it far. Less than a 
 score of yards were covered, when they came to 
 a small cliff, under which there was a good-sized 
 hollow, as Ben discovered by pulling aside the 
 hanging vines. 
 
 " Let us take a stand here," whispered the young 
 lieutenant, and they pushed into the opening, laid 
 the unconscious man down, and pulled the vines 
 again into place. Then, scarcely daring to breathe, 
 they waited. 
 
238 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 Soon they heard the Filipinos in the water, and 
 presently, two of the company passed up the 
 stream, while the remainder went down. But it 
 was too dark to make out anything, and they were 
 afraid to strike a light for fear of drawing the 
 Americans' fire. Inside of quarter of an hour they 
 passed out of hearing; and that was the last Be» 
 and his friends saw of them. 
 
 As soon as it was evident that the coast was 
 clear, at least for the time being, Gilbert crawled 
 to the water's edge and regaled himself with a 
 much-needed drink. He returned with a canteen 
 full for Sorrel's benefit, and the unconscious man 
 was bathed, and his wounded shoulder bound up 
 as well as the darkness and the material at hand 
 permitted. At first Ben thought to make a small 
 fire, but Gilbert shook his head. 
 
 "I think it would be foolish," he said. "If 
 they come down on us, what can we do? We can 
 neither save ourselves nor Sorrel. Better keep 
 shady." And his advice prevailed. 
 
 It was half an hour later before the Tennesseean 
 opened his eyes and asked for more water. " I 
 reckon I ain't hit so bad but wot I kin go on," 
 he said presently. "But it won't be in no foot- 
 
INTO THE JUNGLE AND OUT 239 
 
 race, and it won't be fer two or three hours 
 neither." 
 
 "We'll wait until early dawn," said Ben. "If 
 we start now, we'll be sure to go astray." 
 
 As they lay under the rocks, Gilbert and Ben 
 devouring some rations the latter had brought 
 along, the Southerner related his experience in 
 the hands of the Filipinos. 
 
 "They treated me fairly well at first," he said. 
 "But I soon found out that they were trying to 
 make me believe that to be a rebel was a glorious 
 thing. I was dazed by the sun, and had it not been 
 for some sort of a native drink made from leaves 
 that one of the soldiers gave me, I believe I should 
 have fallen and never gotten up again. The Fili- 
 pinos were quarrelling among themselves, and I 
 learned that there are a good many other head 
 men besides General Aguinaldo. He leads in the 
 province of Luzon, but in other portions of the 
 island they hardly recognize him." 
 
 " I think myself this attack was a makeshift 
 affair," answered Ben. " If they had concentrated 
 their efforts at one point, I honestly believe they 
 might have gone into Manila with a rush." 
 
 " General Otis, in his office in Manila, knows just 
 
240 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 what he is doing, Ben. He knew all the weak 
 points and the strong points, and he divided his 
 troops accordingly. But if we gain much territory, 
 I can't see how we are going to hold it. We'll 
 have to garrison every town and every block-house, 
 that's certain." 
 
 Both of the young volunteers were utterly worn 
 out, and after seeing to it that Sorrel was resting 
 in a fairly comfortable manner, they dropped off 
 into a troubled sleep, from which Ben awakened 
 about four o'clock. 
 
 " Wake up ! " he called to Gilbert. " We haven't 
 any time to lose if we want to get back to our 
 camp by daylight." 
 
 " We want to be sure and strike the right trail," 
 answered the young Southerner. Do you know 
 the direction?" 
 
 " I think I do, but I'll climb one of yonder trees 
 and make sure." 
 
 To mount one of the trees mentioned was no light 
 task. But Ben was equal to it; and once in the top 
 a fine view of the surrounding territory could be 
 seen. 
 
 "There is the Chinese church," he said. "I 
 reckon we had best make straight for that. There 
 
INTO THE JUNGLE AND OTTT 241 
 
 isn't a Filipino in sight, around here," he added, 
 as he descended. " I saw several camps, but they 
 are far to the north and northeast." 
 
 Sorrel was already up. The Tennesseean de- 
 clared that he was able to walk at least a mile or 
 two, although his face was pale and haggard and he 
 did not look it. A drink of water all around was 
 had, and off they started, Ben in front, with his 
 pistol drawn, Sorrel next, unarmed, and Gilbert 
 bringing up in the rear with the rifle. 
 
 Thus fully a mile was left behind, the trail lead- 
 ing through the jungle and around a swamp over- 
 grown with rank-smelling vegetation. At the 
 swamp they encountered several flocks of birds of 
 prey, and Sorrel announced that there must be 
 dead bodies about. Soon they came in sight of 
 half a score of dead Filipinos, left by their friends 
 where they had fallen. The sight made Ben sick, 
 and he turned away with a sigh. 
 
 " War is awful, Gilbert. I wonder if the folks 
 at home realize how terrible it really is." 
 
 "A good many of them do not, Ben. If they 
 did, they wouldn't shout for a fight every time 
 complications arise between our country and some 
 other nation. It seems to me this trouble out hwe 
 
242 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 might have been settled without an appeal to 
 arms." 
 
 On and on they went, until Sorrel began to lag 
 behind, and then they sat down in the shade to 
 rest. They had now reached a road running 
 directly to the cemetery on the hilltop. 
 
 " Listen ! I hear the rattle of wagon wheels ! " 
 cried Ben, a while later. " Be on guard, Gilbert ! " 
 and he leaped up and ran for some nearby brush. 
 Sorrel and the Southerner did likewise, but the 
 alarm was unnecessary, for the approaching turn- 
 out proved to be an ambulance belonging to 
 ^General MacArthur's division, carrying several 
 wounded who had been picked up in out of the 
 way places. The ambulance was stopped, and 
 those in charge agreed to take Sorrel on board 
 and to the general hospital in Manila. 
 
 "Good-by," said Gilbert, tenderly. "I'll not 
 forget you for what you did for me," and Sorrel 
 smiled faintly, and said good-by to both him and 
 Ben. Although the Tennesseean was not seriously 
 wounded, it was many a day before he again 
 appeared in the ranks. 
 
 With the wounded man off their hands, it was 
 an easy matter for Ben and Gilbert to move along 
 
INTO THE JUNGLE AND OUT 243 
 
 in the direction where they were told their regi- 
 ment lay, not far from the cemetery proper. In- 
 side of an hour, they were back to their separate 
 companies, each eating a hearty breakfast, and tell- 
 ing his story to the crowd that gathered around 
 him. 
 
CHAPTER XXV 
 
 THE TAKING OF CALOOCAN 
 
 The first great battle with the Filipinos had 
 been fought and won, and to the south and east 
 the rebels were thoroughly demoralized and 
 scarcely" knew what to do next. They took shel- 
 ter in every village, jungle, and trench they could 
 find, but were dislodged from one position after 
 another, and a large portion of the habitations 
 they had occupied were destroyed. Four days 
 after the big battle little was left of them in the 
 directions mentioned. 
 
 But to the northward it was different. About 
 twenty-five miles above Manila was Malolos, now 
 the seat of Aguinaldo's government, a pretty town 
 containing from twelve to fifteen thousand inhabit- 
 ants. Between Malolos and Manila lay Caloocan, 
 Polo, and several other places of minor impor^ 
 tance, all along the single railroad of which the 
 island boasted. 
 
 244 
 
THE TAKING OP CALOOCAN 245 
 
 Feeling that if he was defeated in his attack on 
 the city, the Americans would at once advance 
 upon the Filipino capital, Aguinaldo had strongly- 
 fortified Caloocan and also its sister city, Malabon, 
 lying directly west of it, on Manila Bay. In- 
 trenchment after intrenchment had been thrown 
 up, and along the railroad a masked battery was 
 planted so that it might sweep not only the track, 
 but also the cut through which the road ran. And 
 while this was going on the scattered troops were 
 driven together and sent to the vicinity with all 
 possible speed, so that by Friday, February 10, 
 the Filipino forces in and behind Caloocan num- 
 bered nearly fifteen thousand men. 
 
 But while the rebels had been active, the Ameri- 
 cans had not been idle. As soon as the Filipinos 
 east and south were widely scattered, such United 
 States soldiers as could be spared from other fir- 
 ing lines were marched to the northward, beyond 
 Binondo church, and on Thursday this portion of 
 our army lay on the hill, with Caloocan but two 
 miles away. Field glasses readily uncovered the 
 rebels' activity. 
 
 " They are going to resist us for all they know 
 how, lieutenant," remarked Captain Larchmore, 
 
246 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 as he and Ben went forward to survey the situa« 
 tion. 
 
 " We ought not to give them so much time^ 
 captain, in my opinion," replied Ben, who was 
 still acting first lieutenant, Ross being completely 
 prostrated from the terrific heat. " I believe when 
 you get an enemy on the run, to keep him on the 
 run." 
 
 "There is a good deal in that, Russell; but 
 you must remember that this is a strange country 
 to the generals as well as to us. We haven't 
 even a reliable map to consult, and it won't do 
 for us to run into an ambush, or something like 
 that." 
 
 "I wonder if General Aguinaldo is in the field." 
 
 "I believe not. He has headquarters at Ma- 
 lolos." 
 
 "Then that is where we want to get to. I 
 believe he is the head and front of this rebellion." 
 
 " Undoubtedly. Do you know, I pity some of 
 the poor rebels, like those Igorrote spearmen, for 
 instance. They hardly know what they are fight- 
 ing for, and one of them, who was brought in 
 wounded, said Aguinaldo gave them a position in 
 the advance guard, as a place of honor ! " 
 
THE TAKING OF CALOOCAN 247 
 
 "If Aguinaldo isn't on his guard, they'll turn 
 on hiin and kill him," returned another officer, who 
 stood near. "I heard that all the different divi- 
 sions of the Filipinos were fighting like cats and 
 dogs among themselves." 
 
 "That's true," put in another. "I'll tell you 
 what it is, we've got to bring them into submis- 
 sion. If we don't, they'll be fighting among them- 
 selves all the time, until the Chinese or Japanese 
 rise up and take them in, land and all. It's the 
 one chance of making a civilized, Christianized na- 
 tion of them." 
 
 It had been decided that the navy should co- 
 operate in the attack northward, and early on 
 Friday morning the monitor Monadnock and the 
 cruiser Charleston shelled the enemy's territory for 
 half an hour, demolishing a number of buildings 
 and causing a large body of non-combatants to flee 
 for their lives. This attack was also participated 
 in by General MacArthur's artillery, perched on the 
 top of Cemetery Ridge. 
 
 "That will wake them up," said Gilbert. "I 
 shouldn't wonder if we get into it soon." 
 
 The young Southerner was right. At the end 
 of the half-hour the ships and the artillery stopped 
 
248 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 hostilities, and then a solitary gun boomed out three 
 times, at intervals of ten seconds, as a signal for 
 the entire line to advance. Drums rattled and 
 bugles blew, and once more Ben's regiment was 
 in motion, each soldier ready as before to do his 
 utmost. 
 
 The first advance, down the hill, was an easy 
 matter. The regiment was well spread out, and 
 each man felt fresh after the rest he had received. 
 So far no shots had been fired, but scarcely had 
 the bottom of the hill been gained, than the Fili- 
 pinos opened up from several nipa huts and a ba- 
 nana grove, and in a trice the battle waged as 
 fiercely as before. 
 
 An open field five hundred feet square is not 
 usually a difficult stretch to cross, but in the face 
 of such a galling fire, the battalion to which Ben 
 belonged found the task hard and perilous. 
 
 " We must reach the bamboo fence ! " cried Major 
 Morris. " Forward, boys, and make every shot 
 tell ! " And the " boys " went forward with a rush 
 and a wild yell. But before the barrier mentioned 
 was gained, several went down, one to rise no 
 more. 
 
 The run in the hot sun was exhausting, and at 
 
THE TAKING OF CALOOCAN 249 
 
 the fence the battalion paused to catch its breath. 
 Water was at a premium, and officers and men 
 alike suffered. Then came a tumble into a ditch 
 beside the fence, and all were covered with dust 
 and dirt. 
 
 The regiment had now gained fair shelter, and 
 from the fence they poured such a hot fire into 
 the banana grove, that the Filipinos slowly re- 
 treated. Then the second battalion was ordered 
 ahead, while the first made a detour to the right, 
 and in quarter of an hour the first of the nipa 
 huts was surrounded. It contained nine Filipinos, 
 who were speedily called upon to surrender. They 
 would not at first, but when two were wounded 
 they thought better of it, and throwing down their 
 rifles and bolos, came forth, holding their hands up 
 before them. They were immediately placed under 
 guard and sent to the rear. 
 
 Finding that they could not hold their position 
 in the vicinity, the Filipinos retreated in squads 
 and companies, the majority of them along the 
 road leading directly to Caloocan. With this army 
 went a large portion of those who owned the huts, 
 taking with them such of their household effects as 
 they could conveniently carry. In many cases the 
 
250 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 huts were burned, and the smoke, mingled with 
 the smoke from thousands of rifles, soon covered 
 road and fields with a heavy pall. 
 
 Ben's command passed the grove of bananas to 
 find itself on the edge of an extensive paddy field. 
 Beyond was a fringe of forest, dotted everywhere 
 with the forms of the enemy. A constant firing 
 began the moment the Americans appeared, and 
 all saw that the crossing of this second open field 
 was going to be no easy task. 
 
 " We will advance to the first ditch ! " cried the 
 captain. "Don't fire until you are down and pro- 
 tected. Double-quick — forward ! " 
 
 Away they went, leaping the fence of the rice 
 field at a bound. Fortunately there was hardly 
 any water, and beside the irrigating ditch it was 
 quite dry. Down they tumbled, lying flat on the 
 ground, the different companies forming an irregu- 
 lar line several hundred yards long. In this posi- 
 tion the soldiers fired at will, taking careful aim 
 over the slight rise of ground before them. 
 
 "I wonder how long this is going to last," re- 
 marked Ben to Captain Larchmore, as the two 
 came together. "It's tough on the boys to lie in 
 that ditch in this heat." 
 
THE TAKING OF CALOOCAN 251 
 
 "That's true, Russell. But it's one of the for- 
 tunes of war. If the Pili — There goes the 
 bugle ! Company, attention ! Forward — to the 
 next ditch ! " And away they went for another 
 hundred feet, the men still firing at will. A few 
 of the enemy thought they were going to keep 
 straight on, and began to retreat, but the majority 
 held their ground. 
 
 The command was now so close to the jungle 
 that each individual rebel could be seen with ease, 
 and the soldiers picked their targets before firing. 
 This made the battle more hazardous as well as 
 interesting. Strange as it may seem, the closer 
 they got to danger, the less the troops under Uncle 
 Sam seemed to notice it. 
 
 " Sure, an' we could wipe 'em out directly ! " 
 muttered Casey. "Just lit us go ahead an' we'll 
 show 'em ! " 
 
 "Yah, let us run dem right off dot island," put 
 in Carl Stummer. " Who vos afraid ? Nopotty ! " 
 And he started to run, and would have gone 
 ahead alone had not several held him back. Each 
 man was on his mettle and burning to distinguish 
 himself. 
 
 At last came a cry from the right of the line. 
 
252 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 " The Filipinos are retreating to the road ! After 
 them ! " The report proved true, and as quickly 
 as it could be done, the regiment was swung 
 around, passing the jungle on the right. As the 
 road was gained the rebels concentrated their fire, 
 and for a moment the onward rush was checked, 
 and some of our men retreated. But only for a 
 moment ; then the Americans swept on, and the 
 rebels fled straight to Caloocan and to the hills 
 lying in the direction of Polo, and other points 
 northward. 
 
 " On to the town ! " was the next cry, and into 
 the city they advanced, the Filipinos contesting 
 every step stubbornly but unsuccessfully. A stand 
 was taken at a church and at several public and 
 private buildings ; but the blood of the Americans 
 was now up and they forced the rebels out, in 
 many cases at the point of the bayonet. 
 
 Compelled to give up the city, the Filipinos tried 
 their best to burn the main portion of the town, 
 and soon the smaller houses were a mass of flames. 
 An attempt was also made to burn the church and 
 the city hall, but here the Americans interfered, 
 and many of the rebels were caught and taken 
 prisoners. The general advance had begun at one 
 
THE TAKING OF CALOOCAN 253 
 
 o'clock in the afternoon. At half-past five Old 
 Glory was swung to the breeze from the flagstaff 
 of the city hall, and rebel sway in Caloocan be- 
 came a thing of the past. Defeated once more, the 
 Filipinos retreated to Malabon, to Polo, and to 
 other strongholds in the vicinity. 
 
CHAPTER XXVI 
 
 A STRANGE MEETING IN MANILA 
 
 The fight had been a hard one, and the regiment 
 to which Ben belonged was glad to rest the next 
 day, camping in the very centre of Caloocan, in 
 what had once been a public park. It was neces- 
 sary to watch those still in the city, but the bravery 
 of the Americans had had its effect, and the Tagals 
 and their Spanish allies gave but little trouble. 
 
 The next day was one full of discomfort for that 
 portion of the Filipino army which had retreated to 
 Malabon. This town, as before described, lies di- 
 rectly on the shore of Manila Bay, and word being 
 sent to the navy, the Monadnock and Charleston 
 steamed in close and shelled the city and the rebel 
 camps so hotly that the Filipinos were compelled to 
 retreat inland, with the loss of several score of men. 
 
 In the meantime our navy was not idle elsewhere. 
 Ilo Ilo is the second seaport of importance in the 
 Philippine Islands, and while the rebels were being 
 
 254 
 
A STRANGE MEETING IN MANILA 255 
 
 shelled out of Malabon, the Petrel and the Boston 
 shelled this stronghold. As the rebels fled, some 
 sailors landed, followed by a body of regulars and 
 another of volunteers, and once more the Stars and 
 Stripes swelled proudly to the breeze. The rebels 
 retreated to the village of Jaro, but were dislodged, 
 and then they fled to the mountains. 
 
 It was plainly to be seen that the Tagals and 
 those who had taken up arms with them were now 
 desperate. Having been whipped in the open field, 
 so to speak, one of the leading officers of the Tagals 
 issued an extraordinary order to the natives who 
 still remained in Manila, directing an uprising at 
 a certain hour, in which every American and all in 
 sympathy with our cause should be "slain without 
 compassion." 
 
 Had this plot not been discovered, its effect might 
 have been truly disastrous, for Manila now con- 
 tained only such of our soldiers as could be spared 
 from the firing line. But word of the intended 
 massacre was received in time, extra guards were 
 placed upon all streets and in all public places, and 
 one hundred and forty-six persons known to be of 
 rebellious tendencies were arrested. These arrests 
 had a dampening effect, and the massacre did not 
 
256 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 take place, the Filipinos determining to wait for a 
 more favorable opportunity. 
 
 " Lieutenant Russell, the general wishes to send 
 some one to Manila on a matter of considerable im- 
 portance," said Captain Larchmore, some days after 
 the fight just described. " All the members of his 
 staff are either away or on the sick list, and I have 
 recommended you for the duty." 
 
 " Thank you, captain, I'll be glad of the chance to 
 get into the city again," answered Ben. " When 
 am I to report?" 
 
 "At once — if you want to go. There is a flat 
 car to start for town in an hour, and you can 
 ride in state on top," went on Captain Larchmore, 
 with a laugh. The "one-horse" railroad was a 
 constant source of amusement to those who had 
 occasion to use it, yet for transporting supplies it 
 was found very useful. 
 
 Brushing up for the occasion, Ben made his way 
 to General MacArthur's headquarters and pre- 
 sented himself. " Captain Larchmore just notified 
 me that you would like me to go to Manila for 
 you, general," he said, after having saluted his 
 superior and also the American flag flying in 
 front of the tent. 
 
A STEANGE MEETING IN MANILA 257 
 
 " The captain was right, Lieutenant Russell. 
 Can you go immediately?" 
 
 " I can, sir." 
 
 " If I had a horse handy, you could have it, but 
 as it is, you will have to make the journey on one 
 of the railroad cars. I have an extra horse in 
 Manila, and if you want to do so, you can bring 
 him back for me. Here is a document I wish 
 delivered to General Otis in person, and if you 
 will, you can wait until he can answer it fully. 
 Perhaps he won't be able to give you the reply 
 immediately." 
 
 "I'll wait for it, general," answered Ben, and, 
 taking the extended letter, put it in an inside 
 pocket. A few more words passed, and then the 
 young lieutenant hurried for the railroad depot. 
 A detail was busy unloading supplies, and from 
 one of the men he learned that a hand-car was 
 going to start for Manila immediately. 
 
 " That will suit me," answered Ben, and, locating 
 the hand-car, he hopped aboard. Five soldiers fol- 
 lowed, and soon the car went spinning down the 
 tracks, making very good time, considering the 
 condition of the somewhat torn-up road-bed. 
 
 The end of the line reached in Manila, Ben 
 
258 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 thanked the men who had "pumped" him to hia 
 destination, and hurried in the direction of the 
 governor-general's headquarters, a fine stone build- 
 ing surrounded by stately trees and broad walks. 
 Ascending the steps, he found himself challenged 
 by a guard, who demanded to know what he 
 wanted. 
 
 "t have a document which is to be delivered 
 personally," replied the young lieutenant, and ex- 
 plained matters. 
 
 It was fully half an hour before he could get 
 into the apartment which Major-General Otis 
 occupied. He found the military governor of the 
 Philippines seated at a broad desk. Beside him 
 sat his secretary, and in a corner sat several in- 
 fluential native citizens who had called to ask for 
 better protection against the rebellious Tagals who 
 were plotting to do them harm. 
 
 " Well, lieutenant, what is it ? " demanded the 
 general, quickly, but with a pleasant smile. 
 
 " A document for you, general," was the answer, 
 and Ben saluted and handed it over. Breaking the 
 seal, the military governor of the Philippines read 
 the paper with interest. 
 
 "You may inform your commandant that I will 
 
A STRANGE MEETING IN MANILA 259 
 
 furnish the information by to-morrow noon," he 
 said, when he had finished. "I can tell him 
 nothing at present." 
 
 " Shall I call for the answer at that time ? The 
 general said I might remain in Manila for it." 
 
 "Very well then, call at noon, and you can take 
 it hack with you." Major-General Otis surveyed 
 Ben critically. "How are you boys doing up at 
 Caloocan ? " 
 
 "Just now we are resting." 
 
 " The health of the company is pretty good ? " 
 
 "We have six on the sick list, sir. The drink- 
 ing-water and heat seem to affect them more than 
 the fighting." 
 
 " Yes, the water is bad, — but that cannot be 
 helped." General Otis paused. " That is all, lieu- 
 tenant," and Ben felt himself dismissed, and with 
 another salute he walked outside. 
 
 " A fine-looking man," he thought, as he hurried 
 away. " And he will make us comfortable if he 
 can." He had heard others say that General Otis 
 was continually asking about the condition of this 
 regiment or that, with the idea of improving 
 matters if they were not as they should be. Some- 
 times matters went wrong, and certain troops 
 
260 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 suffered, but for this the commander-in-chief was 
 not directly responsible. 
 
 Feeling that he had the remainder of the day 
 and a good part of the next to himself, the young 
 lieutenant recrossed the Pasig River and took 
 his way to the Tondo district and to the wharves. 
 He knew that the Olympia was lying not far off, 
 and he wondered if anybody he knew was on 
 shore. 
 
 " Lieutenant Russell, as I'm alive ! " came a cry 
 from behind a pile of merchandise on one of the 
 wharves, and knocking the ashes from his pipe, 
 Jack Biddle came forward and offered his hand, 
 which Ben shook warmly. 
 
 " Came ashore about an hour ago and was wait- 
 ing for Larry and some of the others," said Biddle, 
 in reply to Ben's question. "Yes, Larry's as chip- 
 per as ever, but we don't like it for a cent that 
 you soldiers are doing all the fighting while we 
 sit and suck our thumbs." 
 
 " Some of the ships are hard at work shelling 
 the shore towns." 
 
 " Yes, but not the flagship, lieutenant. But 
 perhaps our turn will come. Sit down, and Larry 
 will be along soon," and Ben sat down, there being 
 
A STRANGE MEETING IN MANILA 261 
 
 nothing better to do. While they waited, the 
 young lieutenant asked what had become of 
 Quartermaster Yarrow. 
 
 "He was eourt-martialled and reduced to the 
 rank of ordinary seaman," answered Jack Biddle. 
 "He isn't on the Olympia either, but on one of 
 the smaller ships. I think they're going to send 
 him back to duty on the Pacific coast soon." 
 
 " It's a good thing you've got rid of him, Biddle. 
 He was thoroughly bad." 
 
 "Right you are, lieutenant. I didn't feel easy 
 all the while he was aboard. He'd be a good one 
 to join the cutthroats who were going to murder 
 all our people in Manila last week." 
 
 " That event must have made a lot of excite- 
 ment here." 
 
 "You can bet it did, lieutenant. They sent 
 word over to the ship to be in readiness for a call, 
 but it didn't come. The Oregon and the Minne- 
 sota boys collared the leaders before they knew 
 what was happening to them, — and they are in 
 jail yet." 
 
 "Yes, but there are more rascals still, Biddle. 
 I was told that the whole city was full of natives 
 who will do almost anything that the leaders at 
 
262 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 Malolos dictate. They'll be up to some other 
 vicious trick before long." Ben took a look out 
 into the bay. " Here comes another boatload of 
 sailors now. Is that from your ship ? " 
 
 " It is. You see to-morrow is Washington's 
 Birthday, and for extra good behavior some of 
 the lads are to get off until nine to-night, while 
 another gang gets off to-morrow afternoon. Larry 
 and I wanted to-morrow, but a Jackie must take 
 leave when he can get it." 
 
 "The boat isn't coming here." 
 
 "So I see. Some of the boats from the other 
 ships landed at a dock two squares below here, 
 and they are heading in the same direction. Come, 
 let us meet them." 
 
 They started off, across the dock, to the street 
 beyond. It was now growing dusk, and the electric 
 lights had just been turned on. As they reached 
 the entrance to the second landing-place, a crowd 
 met them and they were compelled to pause. 
 
 " Lots of you chaps around here," said a man 
 dressed in civilian's clothes, addressing Ben. "Ma- 
 nila must have more soldiers in it than natives." 
 
 " We've got to have a pretty strong guard," 
 answered Ben, pleasantly, and turned to look at 
 
A STRANGE MEETING IN MANILA 263 
 
 the man. The electric light shone full in his face 
 and he could see the features distinctly. " Great 
 Ceesar ! " , 
 
 It was no wonder that the young lieutenant 
 uttered the exclamation. He recognized the in- 
 dividual on the instant, despite a short beard 
 that was of new growth. The man was Braxton 
 Bogg, the missing cashier, who had wrecked the 
 Hearthstone Savings Institution at home. 
 
CHAPTER XXVII 
 
 THE CHASE IN THE DARK 
 
 " What is the matter ? " asked Braxton Bogg, 
 with interest. He was a small, thin man, with a 
 foxy pair of blue eyes, and a nose that had a slight 
 turn-up at the end. It was evident that he did 
 not remember Ben at all, or, at least, did not rec- 
 ognize him in his uniform. 
 
 " Braxton Bogg ! " ejaculated the youth. *' How 
 did you get away out here ? " 
 
 At the mention of his name, the cashier started 
 back and his face grew full of alarm. But only 
 for an instant. He straightened up immediately 
 and put on a cold front. 
 
 " You evidently mistake me for somebody else, 
 officer," he answered calmly. 
 
 " Why — er — aren't you Braxton Bogg from 
 Buffalo ? " demanded Ben, more astonished than 
 ever, to think that two men might look so much 
 alike. 
 
 264 
 
THE CHASE IN THE DAEK 265 
 
 " Not at all. My name is Carson Hope, and 1 
 come from Oakland, California. Is this Braxton 
 Bogg a friend of yours ? " 
 
 " A friend ? Hardly. He wrecked a bank and 
 ran off with something like a hundred and forty 
 thousand dollars of the funds." 
 
 "In that case I shouldn't want to know him." 
 
 "He was a thorough-paced scoundrel," went on 
 Ben, hardly knowing what to say. If this was not 
 the missing cashier, it must be his ghost. 
 
 "Yes, any man who steals is a scoundrel. But 
 I must be getting along, as I have a friend waiting 
 for me." And Braxton Bogg commenced to edge 
 his way out of the crowd. 
 
 " Hold on a minute," and Ben caught him by 
 the arm. 
 
 " What do you want now ? " 
 
 "I want to make sure that there is no mistake." 
 
 " Do you disbelieve what I have told you ? " de- 
 manded Bogg, pretending to be very much insulted. 
 
 " I know that you and Braxton Bogg look alike 
 as two peas." 
 
 "I am not the person — I told you that before. 
 I never heard of him, and as to being a thief, I 
 am a respectable capitalist from Oakland, as I 
 
266 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 can easily prove. I came to Manila looking for a 
 good investment — after this trouble now going on 
 is over." 
 
 "Did you bring your money with you?" 
 
 " Certainly not. Now let go of me, or I shall 
 call the police." And the cashier tried to jerk 
 away, but Ben's hold could not be broken. In 
 the minutes that had passed the youth had been 
 doing some rapid thinking, and had come to the 
 conclusion that it would be best not to let the 
 man out of his sight. 
 
 "If I've made a mistake, I'll take the conse- 
 quences," he said firmly. "As a lieutenant of the 
 United States army I request that you come with 
 me for an examination. Of course as a well-known 
 man of Oakland you must know somebody con- 
 nected with the California troops stationed here." 
 
 "No, I'm not a military man — never took any 
 interest in the war," rejoined Braxton Bogg, tell- 
 ing the truth for once. "I — er — I demand that 
 you let go of me." 
 
 "And I, as a United States army officer, de- 
 mand that you come with me," was Ben's sharp 
 answer. "If everything is straight, you'll not be 
 detained long." 
 
THE CHASE EST THE DAEK 267 
 
 " You won't take my word that everything is 
 all right ? " demanded the cashier, sharply, at the 
 same time looking around to see if the coast was 
 clear. The crowd was viewing the landing of the 
 sailors, Biddle with the rest, and nobody was 
 around, 
 
 ^1 will not," answered Ben. 
 
 " Then take that,'' came fiercely, and raising his 
 fist, Braxton Bogg brought it with all force 
 against the young lieutenant's chin. 
 
 The attack was so unexpected and so sudden 
 that Ben reeled back and would have fallen had 
 not a nearby fence braced him up. His hold on 
 the cashier relaxed, and in a twinkle Braxton 
 Bogg had broken away and was running up a side 
 street at the best speed his feet could command. 
 
 'Hi! what's the row here ? " demanded s* soldier, 
 who had turned the corner in time to se* the 
 blow. 
 
 4 That man — he is wanted by the authorities 
 of New York — atch him ! " panted Ben, and 
 straightened up. His chin had been cut by a 
 diamond ring the cashier wore, but just now he 
 gave no attention to the injury. 
 
 •'What man?" 
 
268 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 " The man who is running up that street. Stop 
 him — or shoot him ! " 
 
 " Stop, or I'll fire ! " roared the guard, recogniz- 
 ing Ben's authority by his shoulder-straps, for the 
 guards in the city were bound to obey any su- 
 perior officer, no matter from what regiment. He 
 brought his rifle to his shoulder ; but before he 
 could take aim Braxton Bogg had darted out of 
 sight between two large warehouses. 
 
 As soon as he could recover, Ben made after 
 the vanishing form, and the guard followed. But 
 when the end of his beat was reached the latter 
 stopped, leaving Ben to go on alone. It was 
 rather dark between the warehouses, yet the 
 young lieutenant could hear the patter of the 
 cashier's feet on the stone pavements, and grad- 
 ually he began to gain on the man. 
 
 The chase led into the heart of the Tondo 
 quarter of Manila, the warehouse centre, where 
 millions of dollars' worth of goods were stored and 
 where many of the natives had their homes. Evi- 
 dently Braxton Bogg did not know how to turn, 
 for presently he found himself in a blind alley- 
 way with tall storehouses on three sides. The 
 lower doors of one of the storehouses were open, 
 
THE CHASE 12* THE DARK 269 
 
 and through these he raced almost out of breath 
 and dripping with perspiration, for the night was 
 a close one. 
 
 Ben had kept on gaining, and was less than fifty 
 feet behind when the cashier ran into the ware- 
 house. Drawing his pistol, the young lieutenant 
 prepared to follow. He wished that he had a light, 
 or that there might be a light in the building, 
 whereby he could see what he was doing. 
 
 His wish was gratified, but not in the manner 
 that he desired. As he came closer to the doorway 
 he heard a match struck, and in a flash came a 
 bright light, as some straw soaked with oil ignited. 
 
 " Hi ! what's this mean ? " he heard Braxton 
 8ogg exclaim. " Going to burn the place down ? " 
 
 " Burn ! burn ! burn ! " came the answer, in a 
 wild Tagalese cry. ** Down with the vile Ameri- 
 cans ! Long live the Philippine Republic ! " And 
 as Ben reached the doorway he was just in time 
 to see a burly native hit the cashier on the head 
 with a club, flooring him completely. 
 
 Ben did not hesitate as to what was his duty in 
 the case before him. His campaign in Cuba, and 
 the present campaign, had taught him the value of 
 acting quickly under certain circumstances. Rais- 
 
270 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 ing his pistol, he took aim at the native incendiary 
 and fired. 
 
 The report was followed by a yell of pain, and 
 the burly Tagal staggered back, hit in the side. 
 But he was game, and seeing who had fired at him, 
 he leaped upon Ben, just as the young officer fired 
 again. By this time half a dozen other natives 
 appeared, three bearing torches, and all armed with 
 pistols and knives. 
 
 The flash from the pistol burnt the Tagal on the 
 bare arm, but the bullet buried itself in the goods 
 in the warehouse. Before Ben could pull the trig- 
 ger a third time, he was hit on the head and in 
 the back, and he went down bewildered and with 
 a million stars dancing before his eyes. 
 
 " The American pig is dead ! " cried one of the 
 natives, kicking the form with his bare foot. 
 "Come on! This is our night of victory! We win, 
 or the whole city goes down in ashes ! " He led 
 the way out of the alleyway on a run, and his fel- 
 lows came after, only one lingering, to set fire to 
 another warehouse standing on the street corner. 
 
 The roaring of the flames and the terrific heat 
 brought the young lieutenant around as soon as 
 anything. Hardly knowing what he was doing, he 
 
THE CHASE IN THE DARK 271 
 
 rolled over and got up on his hands and knees. It 
 was a good minute before he could stand upright, 
 and in that space of time the fire gained rapid 
 headway, for the warehouses were as dry as tinder. 
 
 " The rascal ! " he murmured, and then stared 
 hard at the fire. " What does this mean ? Are 
 the natives rising again? It looks like it." 
 
 The wind was coming up, and presently a shower 
 of sparks descended upon him, making him realize 
 that if he wished to escape with his life he must 
 run for it. He picked up his pistol and looked 
 into the warehouse into which Braxton Bogg had 
 gone. The cashier was nowhere in sight. 
 
 " He ran away — or else he has been burnt up," 
 muttered Ben, and hurried up the alleyway toward 
 the street through which he had passed less than 
 a quarter of an hour before. But now the ware- 
 house on the corner was burning fiercely, and it 
 was filled with barrels of spirits. As Ben ap- 
 proached, there was a dull explosion and the flames 
 burst forth in a dozen directions, completely cutting 
 off his escape. 
 
CHAPTER XXVIII 
 
 THE BURNING OF THE TONDO QUARTER OP MANILA 
 
 Ever since American occupation of the Philip- 
 pines had begun, in August, 1898, those in authority 
 had feared a great conflagration in Manila. The 
 city was thickly populated, many of the buildings 
 were of wood or bamboo, covered with nipa leaves, 
 and closely huddled together, and the public fire de- 
 partment was little better than a name. A great fire 
 in a dry season, therefore, was bound to do immense 
 damage. 
 
 The plotters in the city had tried one plan to 
 defeat the Americans and had failed. Now they 
 were determined to try another. They would burn 
 the enemy out or raze the city from end to end. 
 With them it was rule or ruin ; no middle course 
 would satisfy them. 
 
 The first fire to be started was one in the Santa 
 Cruz district, among a number of houses occupied 
 by residents who had refused to contribute to the 
 
 272 
 
BURNING OF THE TONDO QUARTER 273 
 
 support of General Aguinaldo's forces. A brisk 
 wind swept the flames toward the Escolta, the main 
 business thoroughfare of Manila, and not only the 
 regular fire department, but also the English and 
 German volunteer departments, came out to subdue 
 the flames. 
 
 The fire in the Santa Cruz district was well under 
 way when another alarm rang out, this time from 
 the Tondo quarter. It came from a collection of 
 bamboo huts, and spread with the rapidity of light- 
 ning as the wind fanned it and carried the sparks 
 onward. This was on the very outskirts, but less 
 than five minutes afterward two more alarms were 
 given, in the heart of the district, and warehouses 
 and costly homes began to go up into smoke, en- 
 tailing the loss of many hundreds of thousands of 
 dollars' worth of property, and imperilling thousands 
 of lives. 
 
 In the meantime, the natives were collecting, and 
 those who had rifles formed a company and attacked 
 the Tondo church, where a company of Minnesota 
 volunteers were located. Other natives attacked 
 our soldiers in the streets, and then joined in the 
 general skirmish on the Calle Iris, a broad high- 
 way which separates Tondo from the remainder of 
 
274 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 Manila. Amid the crackling of the flames, the 
 rattle of musketry, and the frantic efforts of some 
 inhabitants to save their effects, it was as if pande- 
 monium had broken loose, a night of terror which 
 those who took part will not forget as long as they 
 live. 
 
 But to none of these calamities did Ben give 
 thought as he backed down into the alleyway, now 
 as hot as a bake oven, and with sparks and burn- 
 ing embers flying in all directions. He was hemmed 
 in — escape appeared impossible. What should he 
 do? 
 
 " I must get out somehow ! " he murmured. " I 
 must ! " His breath came thick and fast, and the 
 injuries to his chin and his back were forgotten. 
 " God help me to make my escape ! " 
 
 With this prayer he hurried to the extreme rear 
 of the alleyway. Here was one warehouse that 
 seemed as yet to be untouched by the flames. But 
 the doors and the windows were locked, and he 
 could not budge them, although he bore upon them 
 with all the strength that he could muster. 
 
 Beside one of the windows was a small wooden 
 ladder, nailed fast to the building and running to 
 the roof. Why it had been put there the young 
 
BURNING OF THE TONDO QUABTEB, 275 
 
 lieutenant could not tell, but seeing it gave him 
 an idea. Perhaps there might be a ladder on the 
 street side, and he could escape by the roof. " I'll 
 try it, anyway," he murmured. " Anything is bet- 
 ter than staying here." 
 
 It was no mean task to climb the ladder, with 
 the flames roaring not thirty feet behind him and 
 the sparks falling upon his naked hands and neck 
 as well as his clothing. Once his coat took fire, 
 but he beat the tiny flame out with his palm. 
 Before the top of the warehouse was gained, his 
 neck was blistered in several places. 
 
 On high the heat was, of course, worse than 
 below, and now Ben could scarcely draw a safe 
 breath. His brain reeled and he crawled rather 
 than walked to the front edge of the sloping roof. 
 
 There was no ladder there, and the distance to 
 the ground was all of thirty-five feet. Below was 
 a pavement of stone. " If I drop, I'll break a leg 
 or something — perhaps my neck," was his dismal 
 conjecture. 
 
 As he stood in perplexity he heard a strange 
 hammering on one side of the roof, and presently 
 a scuttle fell back and two men appeared, each 
 struggling with a couple of buckets of water. 
 
276 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 " Do you see any fire here ? " demanded one, in 
 strong English accents. 
 
 " Not a bit of a flame, Joe," was the answer. 
 "But it's as hot as pepper — and more, don't you 
 know," and then the two men came on the roof. 
 They stared at Ben as if he was a spectre, as the 
 weird light reflected his form against the sky. 
 
 " Who are you ? " demanded the first speaker, 
 and drew a pistol that he carried. 
 
 "I am an American officer in trouble," was 
 Ben's frank reply. " I was caught in the alley- 
 way below, and came up the ladder leading to 
 this roof in hope of gaining the street." 
 
 " Indeed ! Then you've had a narrow escape. 
 Any natives down there?" 
 
 "There were some — the fellows who started 
 this fire. They ran away after knocking me over 
 and half stunning me." 
 
 " They ought all to be hung ! " growled the taller 
 of the Englishmen. "If I was General Otis, I'd 
 order a general court-martial and swing them higher 
 than a kite. You can go down this way if you 
 want to. We are bound to save this warehouse 
 if we can, although we're only watchmen here." 
 And then the pair turned away, to dash out a 
 
BURNING OF THE TONDO QUARTER 27? 
 
 little fire that had. just caught on one corner of 
 the roof. 
 
 Ben needed no second invitation, for he felt 
 that if he remained on the roof much longer he 
 would collapse. Letting himself down through 
 the scuttle, he felt his way along a narrow ladder 
 to the floor below. Here a lantern was burning, 
 and by the rays he made out a stairway leading 
 to a sort of office, where a door opened upon the 
 street. 
 
 When the young lieutenant finally gained a 
 place of safety, he found himself hardly able to 
 stand. Staggering to the porch of a deserted house, 
 he fell rather than sat upon the steps. 
 
 The glare from the conflagration now made all of 
 Manila as bright as day. From the distance came 
 the constant pop-pop of bamboo joints, as the hot 
 air in them caused them to explode. Occasionally 
 a dull boom told of the fall of some heavy timber or 
 the explosion of an oil barrel, for one of the ware- 
 houses was stocked with oil. 
 
 " It looks as if Manila were doomed," he thought. 
 " I wonder what I had best do next ? " 
 
 Then he thought of his brother. Had Larry 
 come ashore, and if so, where was he now? 
 
278 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 "He'd be safer on board the Olympia" he 
 went on. "But perhaps they have sent some of 
 the seamen ashore, to help fight the flames and the 
 natives." And in this surmise Ben was correct. 
 
 "Hi, 'Melican ! Wot doee here?" The cry 
 came from a Chinaman who had just staggered into 
 sight, loaded down with the weight of several 
 bundles of household effects. 
 
 " I'm about played out and I'm resting. Where 
 are the soldiers? do you know at all?" 
 
 " Solyers down dis way. Come, me showee you," 
 and the Celestial started off once more, with the 
 young lieutenant following. It was a narrow street, 
 and soon they found themselves in a perfect jam of 
 people, all crowding forward with bundles, bags, and 
 anything which it was convenient to carry. Groans, 
 yells, and curses sounded on all sides, and many 
 were thrown down to be trampled under foot. 
 
 " Down with the Americans ! " was the call which 
 reached Ben's ears. " Kill them both ! " The words 
 were spoken in Spanish, but the young lieutenant 
 understood enough to make him look in the direc- 
 tion. He beheld two regulars penned in against the 
 side of a building and surrounded by a dozen or 
 more Filipinos of the lowest caste, each armed with 
 
" In a moment the three Americans were in a bunch." — Page 279. 
 
BTJENING OF THE TONDO QTJAETER 279 
 
 a bolo. The guns of the soldiers were probably 
 empty, for they were trying to use their weapons 
 as clubs. 
 
 The sight made Ben's heart jump. The soldiers 
 were strangers, but they were Uncle Sam's boys, and 
 that was enough. " Clear the way here, or I will 
 shoot ! " he cried, and as one of the natives raised 
 his long knife to stab the soldier nearest to him, Ben 
 fired and hit him in the arm. 
 
 " Hurrah, Dick, here are reinforcements ! " ex- 
 claimed the soldier, joyfully. "Give it to 'em 
 hot ! " And as the natives turned to see who had 
 fired on them, the pair swung around with their 
 Remington rifles and laid two of them flat. In a 
 moment more the three Americans were in a bunch, 
 fighting back to back. Ben fired a second and a 
 third time, and becoming scared the natives ran on, 
 to join the crowd which had surged ahead. 
 
 " You came in the nick of time, lieutenant," 
 gasped one of the regulars, as both reloaded with 
 all possible rapidity. " I was afraid our last hour 
 had come." 
 
 " We had better be getting back to Binondo," put 
 in the other. " Will you go along, lieutenant ? " 
 
 " You are going to rejoin your company ? " 
 
280 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 " Yes, if we can find it. I think the boys re- 
 treated to the Calle Iris, as they call it." 
 
 "Then I'll go with you. We can do nothing 
 by remaining here, and the fire is creeping this 
 way as fast as the breeze can bring it." 
 
 "I think I know another side street that is not 
 crowded," continued one of the soldiers. "It was 
 filled up with Chinamen, but they cleared out an 
 hour ago. This way." 
 
 He ran off in advance to a cross-lane now thick 
 with flying sparks. The air was dry and scorching, 
 and Ben breathed once more with difficulty. But 
 soon they turned a corner and got in the shelter of 
 a row of buildings which as yet remained untouched. 
 
 The Calle Iris was two squares off, and in the 
 distance they could see a company of American 
 soldiers drawn up in skirmish line to keep the 
 native incendiaries and rebels from getting into 
 the Binondo and other districts of Manila. In 
 front of the soldiers was a howling mob of Fili- 
 pinos, including many women and children. The 
 latter were allowed to pass the line, but the men 
 were being held back until each could be searched, 
 that his weapons and articles for making fire might 
 be taken from him. 
 
BURNING OF THE TONDO QUARTER 281 
 
 As Ben advanced to the line, lie saw an Ameri- 
 can in the crowd. The man had just been allowed 
 to pass the first line of infantry, but the young 
 lieutenant got a good look at his face. The fellow 
 was Braxton Bogg, and no sooner had Ben made 
 the discovery than the cashier disappeared from 
 view. 
 
CHAPTER XXIX 
 
 A LETTER FROM JOB DOWLING 
 
 " If only I can catch that man ! " 
 
 Such was Ben's thought as the missing cashier 
 of the Hearthstone Savings Institution disappeared 
 from view. He felt certain that if once he could 
 lay hands on the rascal, the missing bank funds, 
 or a large portion of them, could be recovered, in 
 which case the Russell inheritance would come 
 back to him and his brothers. 
 
 But Bogg was gone, and though Ben got through 
 the military lines with all possible swiftness and 
 made a long hunt, nothing more was to be seen 
 of the fellow. 
 
 " Ben ! " It was a cry from across one of the 
 Binondo streets, and, looking up, the young lieu- 
 tenant saw Larry in company with Jack Biddle 
 and several other sailors. He immediately joined 
 the party. 
 
 "We've been a-hunting for you," said Biddle. 
 282 
 
A LETTER FROM JOB DOWLING 283 
 
 "I told Larry how you slipped from me in the 
 crowd at the dock." 
 
 "I went after a man I was anxious to catch," 
 replied Ben. " Who do you suppose it was, 
 Larry?" 
 
 " I'm sure I can't guess," returned the young 
 sailor. 
 
 "Braxton Bogg." 
 
 " The villain who took the bank money ? " 
 
 "Exactly." And in a few hurried words Ben 
 told his story, to which Larry listened with keen 
 interest. "If only we could lay hands on him," 
 he concluded. 
 
 "You haven't any idea where he went to?" 
 
 "Not the slightest. But he is in Manila, and 
 we ought to be able to catch him before he has 
 a chance to get out." 
 
 "Now he knows he is discovered, he'll keep out 
 of sight or change his appearance. But we can 
 notify the authorities, if this fire doesn't burn down 
 the whole town," continued the young sailor. 
 
 " I'll notify the authorities as soon as there is 
 a chance, Larry. There is no use of trying to do 
 anything now." 
 
 Ben returned to the Calle Iris, and with him 
 
284 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 went Larry and his friends. In one or two places, 
 the fire had now gained the edge of the broad 
 highway, and it looked as if it would leap over 
 into the Binondo quarters. The English and Ger- 
 man volunteer fire companies were hard at work, 
 and Ben and the others joined them with a will, 
 carrying hose and the like with the manner of old 
 veterans. It was hard, dirty work, but nobody 
 minded it, although Ben's back had to pay for 
 it the next day, when he found that he could 
 scarcely walk. 
 
 It was not until the first streak of dawn that the 
 fire began to subside. In the meanwhile all Manila 
 had been thoroughly policed by the militia ; and 
 as day advanced, the excitement simmered down. 
 But the outlying portions of the Tondo quar- 
 ter were alive with insurgents who, during the 
 conflagration, had crawled into the city through 
 the swamp grass growing on the edge of the bay. 
 It was felt that these rebels must be cleared out, 
 and a battalion of Minnesota volunteers, another 
 of Oregon volunteers, and one from the Twenty- 
 third regular Infantry, started forth to do the work. 
 
 It was a running fight for nearly a whole day, 
 first through the burnt and blackened streets of the 
 
A LETTER FROM JOB DOWLING 285 
 
 Tondo district, then along the dikes and swamps 
 along the north shore. At several places the Fili- 
 pinos tried to make a stand, but could hold out for 
 a short while only, and at last they took to the 
 water and mud, making for a small peninsula that 
 connects with the mainland at Malabon. The mud 
 was exceedingly pasty, and a number got stuck and 
 were either made prisoners, or were shot down by 
 the gunboat Callao, cruising close at hand. Every- 
 thing in the shape of a hut or house was burned, 
 and the non-combatants were driven back into the 
 city proper. 
 
 As soon as quietness was restored in Manila, Ben 
 and Larry went around to the various police head- 
 quarters and left word concerning Braxton Bogg. 
 Those in authority made a note of the case, and 
 promised to do what they could toward capturing 
 the absconder. 
 
 " We will watch the ships that go out," said the 
 official having authority at the docks. " Then if he 
 leaves Manila at all, he will have to go into the 
 rebel lines, and it's not likely that he will care to do 
 that." 
 
 " Not unless he joins them," answered Ben. 
 "He's rascal enough for anything, in my opinion." 
 
286 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 Larry had now to return to his ship, and after a 
 warm handshake the brothers separated. "I want 
 to see active service," said the young sailor. "If 
 the Olympia doesn't do something soon, I'm going to 
 try to get a temporary transfer to one of the other 
 warships." 
 
 At noon precisely Ben presented himself at Major- 
 General Otis's headquarters. He found the military 
 governor more busy than ever, but the document for 
 which he had come was ready for him, and inside of 
 half an hour the young lieutenant was again on his 
 way to the front, this time astride of the horse his 
 commander had told him he might bring along. 
 
 The ride was a pleasant one, full of scenes of in- 
 terest, for the natives were now coming back to 
 their abandoned homes in that neighborhood, feeling 
 that so long as the Americans held Caloocan and 
 Manila they were safe, providing they did not take 
 up arms against the United States. Children were 
 plentiful, and large crowds of them gathered around 
 wherever the soldiers were at work, picking up all 
 articles cast aside and lugging them home. The 
 majority of the natives were women, the men being 
 elsewhere — probably in the ranks of the insurgents. 
 
 Having delivered the document entrusted to him, 
 
A LETTER FROM JOB DOWLING 287 
 
 Ben returned to his position as acting first lieuten- 
 ant of Company D. All the men were glad to see 
 him, and the story of the Tondo conflagration had 
 to be told over and over again. The young officer 
 was so stiff he could scarcely rise after sitting, and 
 he was glad enough that the run of events gave him 
 a week and more of nearly perfect rest. 
 
 The attempt to loot and burn Manila having 
 failed, the Filipinos were non-plussed concerning 
 the next movement to make. They had experi- 
 enced a rude awakening in their contests with the 
 American troops. While fighting the Spaniards 
 they had been used to night skirmishes amounting 
 to little ; the bold, forward advances of the Ameri- 
 cans nearly paralyzed them. They sought delay 
 by negotiations, and in the meantime tried to 
 strengthen their position at Malabon and at Polo, 
 feeling that under no circumstances must the 
 Americans be allowed to approach Malolos, their 
 capital. 
 
 For some weeks after the taking of Caloocan the 
 operations on both sides were of a minor character. 
 Here and there a band of insurgents would try to 
 advance, only to be driven back further than ever 
 into the jungles and mountains. The greatest 
 
288 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 fighting was along the Pasig River, and to the 
 southeast, in the vicinity of Laguna de Bay. On 
 March the 15th, a portion of General Wheaton's 
 command came along the river, defeated the rebels, 
 and took the village of Pasig, while the Fourth Reg- 
 ular Cavalry, aided by some volunteers, captured the 
 village of Pateros, on the shore of the bay just 
 named. The fighting continued day after day with 
 varying success, the Americans steadily advancing 
 toward the water front. 
 
 For many months some of the Filipinos had been 
 in favor of submitting to American control. But 
 General Aguinaldo would not hear of it, and when 
 General Lagarda, a Spaniard, went to him and sug- 
 gested it, Aguinaldo ordered him beheaded, and the 
 order was promptly executed. But a peace commis- 
 sion from the United States had arrived at Manila, 
 and these gentlemen succeeded in conferring with 
 native leaders who were less headstrong. Yet the 
 conferences at that time were of little practical 
 value, so far as they went to stop the fighting. Ab- 
 solute independence was what the Filipinos wanted, 
 and they said that they would take nothing less. 
 
 " This is going to be a long-drawn campaign," 
 remarked Gilbert to Ben one day, as both took it 
 
A LETTER FROM JOB DOWLING 289 
 
 easy under the shade of a large plantain. " If we 
 could only get these rebels into a solid fight once, 
 we might finish them. But as soon as they get bit- 
 ten, they run, and we can't do much with them in 
 the mountains and the jungle." 
 
 " I think they are playing a waiting game, Gil- 
 bert. The report from home is that they are 
 trying to stir up Congress to grant them indepen- 
 dence. Take it all in all, they are so rattled they 
 don't know what to do." 
 
 " They may be waiting for the rainy season. We 
 can't do much when it once starts in to pour." 
 
 " Perhaps we can, — by cutting off their supplies. 
 Many an army has been starved into a surrender." 
 
 " Well, I wish something would happen. I hate 
 this lying around in the heat. It takes all the nerve 
 out of a fellow." 
 
 " They tell me the natives are leaving Malabon. 
 The gunboats worry them constantly. I think 
 they expect to make a grand stand at Malolos." 
 
 "It would be natural, as that is their capital. 
 By the way, have you heard anything further of 
 Braxton Bogg ? " 
 
 " Not a word. If he is in Manila, he is keeping 
 very quiet." 
 
290 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 " Perhaps he has sailed away." 
 
 " I don't see how he could get on a ship without 
 being detected. The shore watch is a very strict 
 one, you know, and everybody coming and going 
 has to give a full account of himself. If we — 
 What's that cry ? " 
 
 " Mail ! mail ! " came the call, and both leaped 
 up, to run to the tent where a bagful of papers 
 and letters was being distributed. Gilbert had a 
 bundle of newspapers and one letter from a dis- 
 tant relative, and there were two letters for Ben. 
 
 "From Walter and Uncle Job," murmured the 
 young lieutenant, as he surveyed the envelopes. 
 "I'll find out what Walter is doing first," and he 
 slit open the communication. 
 
 "I am on the deep blue sea once more," wrote 
 his brother. " But not for battle this time, but for 
 glory. The Atlantic Squadron is bound southward, 
 to visit Jamaica and I don't know how many other 
 ports. We expect gay times, I can tell you that. 
 
 "I suppose you and Larry are hard at it. I 
 read the newspapers with interest, and when I 
 heard how you had assisted in fighting the Filipi- 
 nos when they attacked Manila, I just had to dance 
 
A LETTER FROM JOB DOWLLNG 291 
 
 a jig for joy. That's right, Ben, old boy, keep it 
 up, and make those Tagals good United States 
 citizens." 
 
 There was much more, in the same strain, and 
 before the young lieutenant had finished reading 
 he burst out laughing. "That's Walter all over," 
 he murmured. " I do hope he has a jolly time, 
 for he deserves it. Now to see what Uncle Job 
 has to say." And he began with difficulty on 
 the second communication, for Job Dowling wrote 
 a heavy, twisted hand, exceedingly difficult to 
 decipher. 
 
 "I reckon you are having lots of trouble with 
 them natives, Ben," wrote the old man, after telling 
 that he was well. "But I can tell you that I am 
 having my troubles, too. That bank busting up, 
 left me with hardly any cash, and mortgages are 
 mighty hard to raise these times — had to pay full 
 six per cent, instead of five, as I had calculated on, 
 and gave a bonus besides. The bank thinks to pay 
 the depositors ten per cent in about six or eight 
 months. That is better than nothing, of course, 
 but I won't be well off, and you and your brothers 
 won't be, neither. There is some talk of going to 
 
292 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 the grand jury and having the directors of the con- 
 cern indicted, but that won't bring back the cash. 
 " The detectives tracked Braxton Bogg to San 
 Francisco, but there they lost him, and, although 
 they watched all the railroad depots and steamship 
 lines, they couldn't track him any more. The 
 bank president has offered a thousand dollars out 
 of his own pocket for Bogg's arrest ; but I don't 
 believe that anybody will ever earn the reward — 
 Braxton Bogg is too slick for them." 
 
CHAPTER XXX 
 
 FIGHTING AT POLO AND NOVALICHES 
 
 "I'd like to earn that thousand dollars," said 
 Ben to Gilbert, after the two had exchanged news. 
 
 "If I were you, Ben, I'd let the authorities in 
 Manila know about that reward. It may put them 
 on their mettle to catch the cashier." 
 
 " That's so ; I'll do it at once ! " cried the young 
 lieutenant, and a note to the provost-marshal was 
 penned on the spot and sent into the city at the 
 first opportunity. 
 
 A general reorganization of the regular and vol- 
 unteer forces in the island was in progress, under 
 the directions of General Lawton, who had arrived 
 shortly before, with reinforcements. The rainy 
 season was not far off, and it was realized that if 
 the Americans wanted to gain more ground, a 
 vigorous forward movement must be instituted 
 without further delay. 
 
 " We strike tents to-day i ;1 said Captain Larch- 
 293 
 
294 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 more to Ben, on the morning of March the twenty- 
 fourth. " I imagine it will be some time before 
 we put them up again." 
 
 "The news just suits me," answered the acting 
 first lieutenant, and he set about giving necessary 
 orders. Soon one after another of the whitish- 
 brown shelters came down, to be rolled up and 
 tucked away in one of the wagons of the baggage- 
 train. 
 
 " Sure, an' I'm glad we don't have to carry thim," 
 observed Dan Casey. " That job nearly broke me 
 back in Cuby." 
 
 From a distance came a steady firing, showing 
 that what few of the rebels were left in Mala- 
 bon and other points along the coast were being 
 driven out. The Filipinos were now concentrated 
 at Polo, with a portion of their troops at Novaliches, 
 a town a little farther eastward. 
 
 By noon Ben's regiment was ready to advance, 
 but the orders did not come. " Maype ve ton't do 
 noddings anyhow," grumbled Stummer. " Oh, put 
 I vos sick of vaitin' so long ! " 
 
 Early the following morning, however, the 
 drums rattled and the bugles sounded the com- 
 mand, " Forward ! " A cheer went up, which 
 
FIGHTING AT POLO AND NOVALICHES 295 
 
 speedily grew into a yell, and the men who had 
 lain in the intrenchments so long leaped up with 
 alacrity. " On to Polo ! Come ahead ! " was the 
 cry, and soon regiment after regiment was in 
 motion, until the various roads, the open plains, 
 and the jungle itself seemed to be alive with uni- 
 forms and rifles. All were full of hope, and the 
 sight was a most inspiring one. 
 
 The general plan of battle was for a portion of 
 the American troops to swing toward Novaliches 
 on the right, and then to try to strike north of 
 Polo, thus hemming the rebels in and cutting them 
 off from a retreat to Malolos. At the same time 
 another portion of our army was to make a dem- 
 onstration near the Pasig River, thus preventing 
 the Filipinos in the north from obtaining reinforce- 
 ments from the east and southeast. 
 
 The advance developed a hot fire at once, show- 
 ing that the rebels were on the alert, and the battle 
 had not waged fifteen minutes before the Chinese 
 litter-carriers, hired for that purpose, were hurry- 
 ing to the rear with the dead and the dying. In 
 the immediate vicinity of Caloocan the fighting 
 was terrific, many of the insurgents rushing for- 
 ward in the face of a hot fire, in a vain attempt to 
 
296 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 wrench the American soldiers' weapons from their 
 grasp. 
 
 As the regiment to which Ben's company be- 
 longed had to advance across an open field, a skir- 
 mish formation was employed. At first every fifth 
 man advanced five yards, then, as the first line 
 made another advance, the second man of every 
 five came up, and so on, until the whole regiment 
 was spread out like the trees in a newly planted 
 orchard. The men would crouch and run, and 
 then lie flat, taking shelter behind anything which 
 was handy. And all this while there was a steady 
 crack ! crack ! as the men fired at will on the 
 enemy, who could be seen over the top of a slight 
 rise of ground. 
 
 " We'll have their first trench soon, boys ! " 
 shouted Captain Larchmore. " Come on ! " And he 
 waved his sword for another advance. Soon they 
 were going up the rise, in the face of a storm of 
 bullets which laid many a poor soldier low. The 
 trench was gained, when Captain Larchmore was 
 seen to throw up his arms and fall headlong. In- 
 stantly Ben ran to his superior's side and bent over 
 him. 
 
 "Captain, are you seriously hurt? Where did 
 
" Stand firm, boys ! " he shouted. — Page 297. 
 
FIGHTING AT POLO AND NOVALICHES 297 
 
 the bullet hit you? " he asked. But no reply came 
 back, and, turning the body over, he saw that his 
 commander had been struck in the temple and was 
 stone dead. 
 
 The revelation came as a great shock, and for a 
 moment the young volunteer was speechless. He 
 turned to another soldier, the first sergeant, who 
 had been acting as second lieutenant. " Dead," he 
 muttered hoarsely. 
 
 "Dead?" ejaculated the sergeant. "You are 
 certain?" He knelt down. "You're right. Shall 
 I tell the major?" 
 
 "Yes, but hurry up, for we — " 
 
 " The rebels are coming ! " came from in front 
 of the intrenchment. " They are down on us for 
 keeps this time ! " And then the line began to 
 waver as if some contemplated a retreat. 
 
 Ben's blood went surging through his veins at 
 breakneck speed. His captain was dead — the com- 
 pany was without a commander — no, he was now the 
 commander. He leaped forward, sword in hand. 
 
 " Stand firm, boys ! " he shouted. " Don't give 
 them an inch ! See, the rest of the regiment is 
 going ahead. Come on ! " And he jumped to 
 the front, waving his sword on high. 
 
2&8 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 " Hurrah for Lieutenant Russell ! " came from 
 the ranks. " All right, we're coming ! " 
 
 " Dis is vot I like ! " came in Stummer's voice. 
 " Down you go, you repel ! " And he pulled trigger 
 point blank at an insurgent who was about to fire 
 on him. Both missed their mark, and on the in- 
 stant a fierce hand to hand struggle ensued. But 
 the German volunteer got the better of it, and 
 pressed on, leaving the native behind with a broken 
 wrist. 
 
 The battle was now on in all of its fierceness, 
 the rebels being driven wild by the loss of their 
 first intrenchments. As the Americans pressed 
 on, one of the Filipinos, who were fighting Company 
 B, rushed to a hollow with a lighted torch in his 
 hand. Gilbert saw the fellow and ran after him. 
 
 " Hold on there ! What are you up to ? " de- 
 manded the Southerner. 
 
 "Bad Americanos!" came back the answer. 
 « They shall die ! " 
 
 " Take that for your trickery ! " was Gilbert's 
 return, and he fired. At the same time four other 
 soldiers fired on the native, and he went down 
 with his torch under him. When the party of 
 five looked into a nearby hole in the ground they 
 
FIGHTING AT POLO AND NOVALICHES 299 
 
 found a train of powder leading to more powder 
 and a bundle of dynamite sticks. The rascal had 
 calculated to blow up all the American soldiers 
 within a hundred feet of his mine. 
 
 Ben had his hands full in keeping his company- 
 together, for the ground was now much broken 
 and they were inclined to split to the right and 
 the left. But Sergeant Gilmore, acting as first 
 lieutenant, helped him greatly, and Company D 
 forced its way along to the next intrenchment, 
 in advance of all of the rest of the regiment. 
 But now the hand to hand encounter was renewed, 
 and in a trice Ben found himself face to face with 
 a native captain, a heavy-set fellow, of pure Tagal 
 blood, who was swinging a sword that was nearly 
 twice as heavy as his own. 
 
 There was no time for words, and the Tagal 
 sprang upon Ben with the evident intention of 
 killing him at a blow. Around came the shining 
 blade, to hit against the young lieutenant's with 
 such force that the sparks flew in all directions. 
 
 Ben was almost thrown off his feet by the weight 
 of the onslaught, but he recovered as quickly as 
 did the Filipino and made a thrust forward, which 
 his opponent parried. Then began a regular set-to, 
 
300 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 the swords click-clacking with the rapidity of a 
 telegraph sounder. 
 
 " Aha ! " hissed the Filipino, and by a rapid 
 lunge he managed to prick Ben in the side. But 
 the young lieutenant leaped back in time to avoid 
 serious injury, and returned the thrust with inter- 
 est, inflicting a deep wound in the shoulder. 
 Then the tide of battle separated the pair; and 
 that was the last Ben ever saw of his opponent. 
 
 Beyond the second line of intrenchments was a 
 jungle, and the Tagals now retreated into this, 
 firing as they went. They fully expected that the 
 Americans would stop the pursuit here, it being 
 well along in the afternoon; but they were mis- 
 taken, and before they could recover from their 
 surprise Uncle Sam's troops were on them, keep- 
 ing so close that anything in the way of an am- 
 bush was out of the question. The jungle led 
 down hill, to a small stream, and away went the na- 
 tives pell-mell, one badly disorganized company after 
 another. As the stream was shallow, they forded 
 it without difficulty and came to a halt at some 
 old intrenchments thrown up during their rebel- 
 lion against Spain. 
 
 The day had been hot, the men had had little 
 
FIGHTING AT POLO AND NOVALICHES 301 
 
 or nothing to eat and drink, and everybody was 
 about ready to " cave in," as Gilbert expressed it. 
 Under the circumstances it was deemed advisable 
 to encamp for the night in the brush overlooking 
 the stream. Accordingly a strong picket line was 
 thrown out, and in addition the sharpshooters went 
 to the front, to guard against Filipino treachery. 
 In the gathering darkness the soldiers threw them- 
 selves on the earth and ate and drank in silence, 
 while the surgeons of the various regiments went 
 around, looking for the wounded and dying, and 
 calling out softly, that nobody needing their aid 
 might be missed. It was after ten o'clock ere the 
 wagon train came up, to find most of the men 
 sleeping soundly. 
 
 At daybreak fresh ammunition was served out 
 and a hurried breakfast was had. It was Sunday, 
 and the chaplain of the regiment took the occa- 
 sion to go among the men and remind them that 
 this might be their last day upon earth, and begged 
 of them to be prepared should grim Death sud- 
 denly overtake them. A brief prayer followed, 
 and a loud amen at the conclusion showed how 
 those who had heard had taken the words to 
 heart. "I can tell you, those times made a man 
 
302 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 think of his future state," was what Ben said 
 afterward. 
 
 The nature of the ground covered had prevented 
 a position north of Polo being gained, but the 
 rebels were afraid of being cut off, and now began 
 a gradual movement toward Malolos, one wing 
 leaving Novaliches and the other abandoning 
 Malabon and the fishing villages immediately- 
 above it. This brought all close to the Polo ter- 
 ritory, an uncertain piece of ground, hilly, boggy, 
 covered with rocks and jungle, and with many 
 small streams, the bridges of which had been 
 either torn away or burnt. And what was to the 
 Americans' disadvantage, the whole territory . was 
 new ground to them, while the natives knew every 
 foot they were covering. 
 
 Scarcely had the chaplain of the regiment finished 
 when the advance was sounded. A detail had 
 examined the stream during the darkest hours of 
 the night and found several excellent fording 
 places, and company after company crossed with 
 a wetting only to the knees. At this time the 
 rebels opened up only a scattering fire. 
 
 " They are retreating," said Ben, and he was 
 right. The rebel general-in-chief, Luna, had 
 
FIGHTING AT POLO AND NOVALICHES 303 
 
 ordered that division of his army to wheel in 
 toward Polo, to reenforce the troops fighting 
 some of General Wheaton's men. Only a few of 
 the rebels were met with, and by a little strategy 
 these were surrounded, and twenty-nine of them 
 were made prisoners, with the loss of only one 
 man wounded. 
 
CHAPTER XXXI 
 
 " ON TO MALOLOS ! " 
 
 The fighting all through Sunday was heavy but 
 scattering, the natives concentrating first at one 
 stronghold and then another. At Novaliches the 
 town was burnt by both Americans and Filipinos, 
 and the many huts and houses along the side roads 
 were treated in the same fashion. At Polo the 
 Tagal sharpshooters gathered at a church and in 
 the upper windows of two houses, and the death 
 list of the Americans was swelled considerably be- 
 fore they were discovered. Several of the sharp- 
 shooters were captured, and it was reported that 
 they had been using poisoned bullets, but this was 
 quickly proved to be untrue. While the report 
 was circulating, however, the prisoners were in great 
 danger of being lynched, for poisoned bullets are 
 against the rules of modern warfare. 
 
 When Ben's company reached Polo, along with 
 the rest of the regiment, the Filipinos were taking 
 
 304 
 
" ON TO MALOLOS ! " 305 
 
 their last stand in the rear of a plantation, where 
 several long, low buildings offered a fair protection. 
 The first battalion was sent forward to "clean out 
 that nest," as the command came, and went forward 
 on the double-quick. But the Filipinos had had 
 enough of the contest for the time being, and as 
 the four companies came closer, they ran off with 
 a yell, to join the larger portion of their army, 
 which was now fleeing for Marilao, a village lying 
 on the road to Malolos and but a short distance 
 beyond Polo. 
 
 " On to Malolos ! " was the cry which was taken up 
 by the Americans. " Let us push on straight ahead 
 to the rebel capital ! " The cry swept throughout 
 the whole army, inspiring the men, and dusty, hot, 
 and worn out as they were, they surged forward, 
 until in the evening MacArthur's troops rested be- 
 tween Marilao and Meicauayan, a small settlement 
 two miles north of Polo. It was found that the 
 whole of the roads and the open fields were in- 
 trenched, but the rebels had been driven from one 
 shelter to the next, and were now almost out of sight. 
 
 The bridges having been destroyed, many of the 
 baggage wagons could not get through, and pro- 
 visions were slow in arriving. The rebel general, 
 
306 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 Luna, now issued an order that all places that were 
 abandoned should be burned, and consequently the 
 whole countryside was bright with flames, which 
 in some instances communicated with the jungle, 
 producing heavy forest fires, and still further im- 
 peding the advance of the Americans. Yet the 
 bridges were mended, the baggage trains came 
 through as best they could, along with the artil- 
 lery, and the troops went on through the heat, 
 dust, and smoke, suffering as only those can suffer 
 who are not used to a tropical climate. Hundreds 
 fell by the way, overcome either by the sun or by 
 tropical complaints, and soon the hospitals at Manila 
 and elsewhere filled to overflowing. 
 
 " We will wear them out," General Aguinaldo is 
 reported to have said grimly. "We can stand it if 
 they cannot. Only let us keep them at it until the 
 wet season arrives." But as the Americans came 
 closer to Malolos, he packed up his things and pre- 
 pared to flee at a moment's notice. 
 
 " This campaign beats anything I ever dreamed 
 of," said Gilbert. " Why, my canteen is empty all 
 the time, and even ditch water tastes good when a 
 fellow's mouth is full of cotton. And yet the doc- 
 tors tell us to drink as little as we can." 
 
" ON TO MALOLOS ! " 307 
 
 " I allow myself to go dry as much as possible," 
 answered Ben. " I understand that is what the Brit- 
 ish soldiers in India do. They tell me that the 
 natives here drink little or nothing." 
 
 " And I guess they live on nothing, too," growled 
 the sergeant of Company B. " So far I haven't 
 picked up a mouthful worth eating." 
 
 At this Ben laughed outright. "You shall dine 
 with me to-night, Gilbert," he said. " My boys 
 brought me a chicken just now, — Stummer and 
 Casey raked up half a dozen, — and the cooks have 
 promised me some real banana flour biscuits. Now 
 don't tell the others, or they may get jealous." 
 
 Gilbert promised to remain silent, and that night 
 Ben and his chum ate the best meal they had tasted 
 for six weeks. But the young Southerner had been 
 right ; the natives had cleaned out almost everything 
 in sight. 
 
 And yet the nights in camp were not without 
 their diversion. Somebody always had a good story 
 to tell of what had happened during the day, — 
 either comic or tragic, — and occasionally somebody 
 would sing, if he wasn't too dry to raise his voice, 
 and the others weren't too tired to listen. One song 
 in particular became quite popular. It was sung to 
 
308 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 the tune of " Marching through Georgia," and two 
 of the lines ran thus : — 
 
 " We're marching on to Malolos from Manila by the sea ! 
 Marching on to Malolos ! " 
 
 In two days the regiment made an advance of 
 three miles more. During this time a violent storm 
 was encountered, and officers and privates were 
 drenched to the skin. But as it was a little cooler 
 afterward, everybody was glad that it had rained. 
 
 It was during the worst of the shower that Ben's 
 company took temporary shelter in an abandoned 
 house by the roadside. The house had been used 
 as a rebel headquarters, and on the table still lay 
 the sheets of paper and pen and ink the rebel com- 
 mander had left behind him in his flight. On one 
 of the sheets were scrawled a lot of figures, and on 
 another several sentences in Spanish. Then Ben 
 took up a third sheet, and found lying under it an 
 empty envelope, on the back of which were several 
 columns of figures, marked at the top with the dollar 
 sign, the leading sum being $124,000. 
 
 " Humph ! somebody has been figuring in Ameri- 
 can money," he mused, and turned the envelope care- 
 lessly over. Then he stood spellbound, for the 
 
" OX TO MALOLOS ! " 309 
 
 envelope was one that had been used. It was 
 stamped and postmarked Buffalo, New York, and 
 was addressed to Braxton Bogg, Esq., Cashier 
 Hearthstone Savings Institution, City. 
 
 "My gracious, can it be possible that he was 
 here ? " burst from the acting captain's lips. " It 
 must be. But if he was here, he must have joined 
 the insurgents, — or else he was their prisoner." He 
 studied the envelope again. " One hundred and 
 twenty-four thousand dollars, eh? Can it be that 
 that is what he has saved out of the hundred and 
 forty that were missing?" 
 
 The discovery excited Ben not a little, and he 
 told his lieutenants and several others of it, describ- 
 ing Braxton Bogg as closely as he could. " Remem- 
 ber, there is a reward of one thousand dollars for 
 the capture of the rascal," he concluded. He was 
 in great hopes that the regiment would move on 
 immediately, but no further advance was made until 
 the following morning. 
 
 At sunrise the troops under General MacArthur 
 were again in motion, moving toward the small 
 village of Bocave. In the neighborhood of the 
 railroad the fighting continued as heavy as before, 
 and it was discovered that the Filipinos had torn 
 
310 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 up the track and destroyed a portion of the bridge. 
 One stand was taken by the rebels and then they 
 fled to Bigaa, the next town. 
 
 By this time the thermometer was at ninety in 
 the shade, and it wanted yet an hour to noon. 
 At least forty soldiers had dropped out, overcome 
 by their exertions and as many more had been 
 killed or wounded. But the cry was still " On to 
 Malolos ! " 
 
 "Sure, an' we kin rist in Aguinaldo's palace 
 whin we git there," remarked Casey. " It's a 
 feather bed ye'll be afther havin', Stummer." 
 
 " A fedder ped ! " snorted the German volunteer. 
 " Not py dis climate, Dan, — I vos radder haf an 
 ice pox alretty. Of you find Carl Stummer miss- 
 ing, look for a grease sphot on der road — dot's me." 
 And a short laugh went up. 
 
 From Bigaa the army pushed on along the rail- 
 road valley toward Guiguinto, a place of considera- 
 ble importance, three and a half miles southeast 
 of Malolos. By the middle of the afternoon they 
 had reached a small stream within sight of the 
 town. Here, as usual, both the railroad and 
 the foot bridges were gone. It was seen that the 
 Filipinos had taken up a strong position near the 
 
" ON TO MALOLOS ! " 311 
 
 railroad station, and no sooner did the Americans 
 appear than they were given a warm reception. 
 
 As before, the Engineering Corps was again 
 called to the front, and went to work in the face 
 of a storm of bullets, to fix up the railroad bridge 
 which was the less damaged of the two structures. 
 The task progressed rapidly, and inside of half an 
 hour the bridge was so far mended that a battalion 
 of infantry was able to leap across it, others hav- 
 ing in the meantime taken to the water at several 
 fording spots which were hunted up. Then the 
 artillery came over the bridge, drawn by the sol- 
 diers, the mules being made to swim the stream. 
 
 As soon as the field-pieces could be drawn to a 
 commanding point a rapid fire was poured into 
 the rebels' position, and at the same time the 
 infantry made a concerted rush all along the line, 
 which measured half a mile or more. Down went 
 Ben's company into a hollow and across the stream, 
 and then up the other side, each man perspiring 
 freely, puffing like a porpoise, and firing as rapidly 
 as he could load and sight his weapon. 
 
 " You are doing nobly, boys ! " cried the young 
 commander. " Keep it up, and we'll be the first 
 into the capital. Remember, we have less than 
 
312 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 four miles more to go! Drive them out of their 
 trenches ! Now then, all together ! " And away 
 went the command, other companies following. 
 Musketry rattled, the field-pieces boomed out, the 
 soldiers cheered and yelled, and the Stars and Stripes 
 went waving lustily down the whole line. Before 
 such an inspiring advance, nothing could hold out, 
 and as the Americans came closer, one after an- 
 other of the rebel companies fell back, doggedly 
 and full of rage. As they passed through Gui- 
 guinto the ever present torch was called into use, 
 and many buildings were razed. The railroad 
 station, however, was saved, along with some roll- 
 ing stock which had found its way down the 
 tracks from the upper end of the road. 
 
 " One more day's fighting and we'll be in the 
 rebel capital," said Ben to Gilbert, when they met 
 that evening, after a hasty supper. " I wonder 
 what General Aguinaldo thinks of the war now?" 
 
 "I reckon he thinks things are all against him," 
 responded the Southerner. " The loss of his 
 capital will be a serious blow to him, not because 
 he wants the town, but because it will show all 
 of the natives that their leader is not as powerful 
 as he claims to be. So far a good many of the 
 
" ON TO MALOLOS ! " 313 
 
 Filipinos living at a distance have imagined that 
 they were winning instead of losing. I saw one 
 of their newspapers yesterday in which it spoke 
 of their glorious victory at Manila and along the 
 Pasig." 
 
 "They are badly whipped, Gilbert, if they will 
 only believe it. A few more hot fights, and all 
 they will be able to do will be to take to the 
 mountains and carry on a guerilla warfare." 
 
 "The better class won't countenance that, Ben. 
 I think that before long they'll sue for peace, and 
 sue mighty hard, too." 
 
 " I hope so. A campaign out here isn't all fun 
 — even if a fellow is acting captain. By the way, 
 I see you are acting first lieutenant of your 
 company." 
 
 "Yes; poor Andery and Dilks were both shot. 
 I'm thinking I'm a pretty lucky fellow to escape." 
 
 " That is what I am thinking of myself," an- 
 swered the acting captain of Company D. " With 
 our fellows falling all around us, there is no tell- 
 ing who will be next. I sincerely trust it isn't I," 
 he concluded, little dreaming of what the battle of 
 the morrow had in store for him. 
 
 Poor Stummer had been wounded, but how 
 
314 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 badly Ben did not know. As soon as he was able 
 be hunted up the regimental surgeon and requested 
 the particulars. 
 
 "He has been shot in the shoulder," answered 
 Surgeon Fallox. " It is rather an ugly wound, 
 but by no means dangerous." 
 
 "And how is Carl resting?" 
 
 " Oh, he's a hero, that German, and bears up 
 finely. When I bound up the wound he set his 
 teeth and didn't utter a single groan. When I 
 was leaving him he called after me : ' Docthor, 
 tell dem dot I ain't dead yet, und as soon as I gits 
 me up ag'in I vos fight twist so hard as efer vos ! ' " 
 
 " And how long do you suppose he'll be in the 
 hospital ? " 
 
 "That will depend entirely upon his constitution 
 and how the heat affects him. Some of the 
 wounded ones go into a high fever out here." 
 
 " Oh, keep him out of a fever if you can," cried 
 Ben. "Do your best for the poor chap. We 
 can't afford to lose such a good man." 
 
 "I'll certainly do all I possibly can," said the 
 surgeon. 
 
 There was but little sleep in camp that night. 
 Although all were tired out, each man was think- 
 
" ON TO MALOLOS ! " 815 
 
 ing of how close they were to the goal for which 
 they had been striving, and wondering what the 
 events of the next day would bring forth. 
 
 "It's been a tough week for the boys," said 
 Major Morris to the acting captain. " They have 
 fought almost constantly, and jungle work in such 
 a climate is simply killing. I trust if we do get 
 into the rebel capital that we get a good rest 
 afterward." 
 
 "I'm afraid we'll have to open a hospital there, 
 major. More than a fifth of the army is on the 
 sick list, so I understand." 
 
 " The trouble is, the boys don't know how to 
 take care of themselves. For instance, three of 
 the men of Company A got hungry and filled up 
 on green bananas and half-ripe cocoanuts. Now 
 they are doubled up with cramps, and they won't 
 be fit for duty for three or four days. But I 
 must acknowledge I feel weak myself, and I am 
 very careful of what I touch." 
 
 At that moment an orderly dashed up. " The 
 general wishes to see you at once," he said, ad- 
 dressing the commander of the first battalion. 
 " He has some private work he wishes you and 
 some officer of your selection to undertake." 
 
316 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 " If that's the case, you had better come with 
 me, Russell," replied the major, and both hurried 
 to the general's headquarters. 
 
 The mission to be undertaken was soon explained. 
 Scouts were scarce, and as the major had formerly 
 acted in that capacity, the general wished him to 
 go out and reconnoitre the immediate front. In 
 less than ten minutes the major was off, with Ben 
 at his side. 
 
 It was a dark night, but few stars showing, and 
 it was with some difficulty that they proceeded. 
 They were halted at their own picket line, but 
 soon explained matters and were allowed to pro- 
 ceed. 
 
 " There is a slight hollow to our left, captain," 
 whispered the major, when they had advanced 
 about fifty yards. "I think we had better take 
 to that, eh?" 
 
 "I agree, major. And I guess we had better 
 stop talking from now on." 
 
 "Right you are. If it comes to the pinch we'll 
 let our pistols do the barking," concluded the 
 commander of the first battalion. 
 
 In a minute more the hollow was gained, a little 
 gully running north and south. They knew that 
 
" ON TO MALOLOS ! " 317 
 
 the Filipino pickets must be ahead, although 
 how far off they could not tell. They had pro- 
 ceeded less than two hundred feet when a crack- 
 ing sound in the brush ahead brought them both 
 to a sudden halt. 
 
CHAPTER XXXII 
 
 THE CAPTURE OF THE REBEL CAPITAL — 
 CONCLUSION 
 
 To Ben the noise ahead sounded as if some per- 
 son had stepped upon a dry branch of a tree. He 
 clutched the major's arm, and both stood like 
 statues, and strained their ears. 
 
 The sound was not repeated, but a slight click 
 took its place, showing that some one had pulled 
 back the hammer of a rifle or pistol. 
 
 " We've run into somebody," whispered the major 
 into Ben's ear. " Will you go on with me ? " 
 
 " If you say so," was the faint reply. " But 
 take care, or you'll be a corpse in another second." 
 
 Dropping down in the tall grass, they advanced 
 slowly and painfully to where a rock arose, over- 
 looking some bushes, with a jungle of trees and 
 vines beyond. At the rock they paused again to 
 listen. 
 
 Suddenly Major Morris pulled Ben's wrist, and 
 318 
 
CAPTURE OP THE REBEL CAPITAL 319 
 
 pointed to their right. There in the gloom they 
 could barely distinguish the form of a Tagal who 
 sat on a fallen tree trunk, with his long Mauser 
 resting on his half -bare knees, for his dirty uniform 
 was in tatters. They both concluded that the 
 Tagal was gazing in their direction, and dropped 
 out of sight immediately. 
 
 " Did he see us ? " whispered Ben. 
 
 " I don't know. It is darker here than over 
 there. He must be one of their pickets. Come, 
 let us crawl off in the opposite direction." 
 
 "But if he saw us, he'll give the alarm." 
 
 " We'll have to risk that," returned the major of 
 the first battalion. 
 
 He advanced slowly, and Ben brought up in the 
 rear. Once or twice he looked back, but the sentry 
 had not changed his position. In five minutes more 
 they were close to the Filipino encampment. 
 
 It lay in another hollow, and to the west was a 
 small hill, where two field-pieces had been planted. 
 " That is what I wanted to find out about," said 
 the major, pointing to the guns. "Now we'll look 
 around, and see how many more they have in this 
 vicinity. If you'll go up that little watercourse, 
 I'll go down, and we can come together again in, 
 
320 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 say, half an hour. To separate in that fashion will 
 save time, and that is what the general wants us 
 to do." 
 
 "I'm willing," answered the acting captain of 
 Company D, and in a moment he was alone, pick- 
 ing his way in the darkness with only the calls of 
 the night-birds to disturb him. 
 
 The young volunteer felt that he must have his 
 wits about him. He was in the enemy's country 
 and acting as a spy. Discovery, therefore, would 
 mean death, and he felt sure that the Filipinos would 
 not be long in carrying out such a sentence. "If 
 it comes to discovery, I'll sell my life as dearly as 
 possible," was his grim thought. 
 
 The watercourse wound northward, and Ben 
 began to climb a slight knoll. Here the trees 
 were set out in more or less of a regular 
 fashion and the underbrush was all cleared away, 
 showing that it was part of a well-kept plantation. 
 A light caught his eye, gleaming from a window 
 but a short distance away. 
 
 Prompted by curiosity, Ben advanced toward 
 the light, to discover a long, low farmhouse, sur- 
 rounded by several outbuildings including a large 
 rice barn. The house was dark save for the single 
 
CAPTURE OF THE REBEL CAPITAL 321 
 
 light that came from a large sitting room to the 
 front. 
 
 " I must be outside of the rebel encampment 
 now," he thought, as he looked around in vain for 
 pickets or Filipino soldiers. "I wonder who is in 
 the house." 
 
 He approached with caution until he was less 
 than ten steps from the lighted opening. He 
 could now see into the room with ease, and the sight 
 which met his gaze filled him with astonishment. 
 
 Seated at the centre table in the room were 
 two men, the one a small, thin individual dressed 
 in the uniform of a general in the Filipino army. 
 The other man was Braxton Bogg. 
 
 " My gracious, I've tracked him at last ! " burst 
 from the young volunteer's lips. "I wonder what 
 he is up to." 
 
 The Filipino general and the cashier were con- 
 versing in such low tones that Ben was able to 
 catch only an occasional word. The conversation 
 was in English, and the acting captain of Com- 
 pany D drew closer that he might take in all that 
 was being said. 
 
 "It is your one chance," the Tagal was saying. 
 " You can accept it, or not, as you choose." 
 
322 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 " But it isn't fair — it is downright robbery ! * 
 came from Braxton Bogg, with almost a groan. 
 " How do I know that your bonds will be worth 
 anything ? " 
 
 "I can give you my word for that, senor. You 
 need not be afraid of the investment." 
 
 "It's robbery, I say. If I don't invest you will 
 treat me as a spy and shoot me, and then take 
 the money anyway. It is no way in which to 
 act toward a gentleman who is willing to throw 
 in his fortunes with you." 
 
 " We need the money — the Filipino cause is a 
 grand one — you should not object. Tell me where 
 the money is hidden in Manila, and if our secret 
 emissaries can get it, all will go well with you, and 
 I will see that you are raised to the honor of a 
 captaincy on General Aguinaldo's private staff." 
 
 "I will tell you nothing. I have had enough 
 of this sort of thing. I'm going to get out." 
 
 As Braxton Bogg spoke he sprang up and ran 
 for the doorway. In an instant the Filipino leaped 
 upon him, drawing a bolo as he did so. The 
 sight of the weapon made the cashier shiver, and 
 even Ben's heart gave a sudden jump. But then 
 came an unexpected shot, and the rebel fell back, hit 
 
CAPTURE OF THE REBEL CAPITAL 323 
 
 in the chest. From his position on the floor, Bogg 
 had fired, and by good luck his aim had proved 
 fatal. In a moment more the cashier was flying 
 from the house and in the direction of the grove 
 of trees through which Ben had just picked his 
 way. 
 
 Without waiting to think of consequences, the 
 young volunteer followed the man, under the trees 
 and straight for the watercourse previously de- 
 scribed. From a distance came an alarm, and both 
 of the Americans knew that the rebel camp would 
 soon be astir from end to end. 
 
 As long as Braxton Bogg kept running in the 
 direction of the home picket line, Ben was willing 
 to let him run. " I hope he goes straight through," 
 he murmured. "Won't he be surprised when I 
 confront him." 
 
 " Alto ! " came the sudden cry, and a Filipino 
 guard sprang up from behind some brush. But 
 Braxton Bogg only ran the faster. The guard 
 took steady aim and let drive. A yell of pain 
 told that the cashier had been struck, but he still 
 kept on his course. 
 
 Ben had to pass the same picket, and the fellow 
 was reloading with all possible speed. "Alto!" 
 
324 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 came the command again, but now Ben fired be. 
 fore the rebel could get a second shot. " Ameri- 
 cano ! " screamed the guard and fell flat, struck in 
 the knee. 
 
 The entire camp was now aroused, and the 
 pickets on both sides began to shoot. Bogg was 
 still running, and he covered the ground so rapidly 
 that Ben had all he could do to keep him in sight. 
 Soon the man reached an American picket, who 
 brought him to a standstill at the point of the 
 bayonet. 
 
 "I am an American — I just escaped from the 
 rebels ! " gasped Bogg, and it can truthfully be 
 said that he was ready to drop. "Take me to 
 your general if you don't believe me." 
 
 " All right," was the reply. " Corporal of the 
 guard ; number seven ! " added the picket, in a 
 loud voice, and the cry went down the line to the 
 guard tent. As the corporal came running up, so 
 did Ben. 
 
 " Why, this is Captain Russell ! " cried the cor- 
 poral. 
 
 "I stopped the other man first," explained the 
 picket. " He said he just escaped from the rebel 
 camp." 
 
CAPTURE OF THE REBEL CAPITAL 325 
 
 "So I did. I want to get to a safe place — out 
 of the reach of those dirty rascals," said Braxton 
 Bogg, who had not noted the corporal's words. " I — 
 I am an American citizen and I demand protection." 
 
 "All right, Mr. Bogg, we'll give you all the 
 protection you require," put in Ben, coldly, and 
 caught the rascal by the arm. " I'll take charge 
 of this man, corporal. He is wanted by the United 
 States authorities for embezzlement." 
 
 " What, you ! " gasped the cashier, and his face 
 fell all in an instant. " Why — er — how's this ? " 
 he stammered. 
 
 "You just come with me and I'll show you how 
 it is," answered Ben, and marched the man off 
 without further ado, the corporal of the guard fol- 
 lowing, to learn what it all meant. 
 
 At the guard tent the situation was explained, 
 and Braxton Bogg was placed under arrest. It 
 was found that the shot from the rebel picket had 
 penetrated his side, and a surgeon was called in to 
 dress the wound, which looked as if it might prove 
 serious. 
 
 Capturing the bank cashier had taken time, and 
 as soon as Ben had assured himself that Bogg was 
 in safe hands, he hurried off again to where he 
 
326 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 had promised to meet the major. But that officer 
 had become alarmed by the various shots fired and 
 was coming back to camp with all possible speed. 
 The two met between the lines, a hurried report 
 was made out, and Major Morris went off to re- 
 port to his superior. 
 
 It can be imagined that Ben retired highly- 
 elated. Braxton Bogg was a prisoner, and had 
 stated that almost all the money taken from the 
 bank was hidden in Manila, in the house of a 
 Spaniard named Benedicto Lupez, with whom he 
 had stopped for a couple of weeks. " Won't Larry 
 and Walter and Uncle Job be surprised and de- 
 lighted when I let them know of what has oc- 
 curred ? " thought the young volunteer. 
 
 But now was no time for private affairs, no 
 matter of what importance. The rebel capital was 
 almost in sight, and General MacArthur calculated 
 to capture it before the setting of another sun. 
 Early in the morning the troops began to move, 
 two rapid-firing guns flanking the railroad track, 
 with two guns of the Utah battery on the right 
 and two guns of the Sixth Artillery on the left. 
 Beyond, in the jungle, and over the rice fields, 
 came the volunteers and regular infantry. 
 
CAPTURE OF THE EEBEL CAPITAL 327 
 
 Ben's regiment advanced for nearly a mile with- 
 out encountering serious resistance, and it was 
 thought by many that the rebels had fled straight 
 through Malolos. But about noon the Filipinos 
 were discovered behind a strong intrenchment near 
 one of the rice fields, and an opening fire laid 
 half a dozen of the Americans low. Soon a strong 
 rattle of musketry to the east and west showed 
 that nearly all of the United States troops were 
 being engaged. 
 
 " We must force the fighting — we must drive 
 them out ! " was the command passed along. 
 "The first battalion will advance along the right 
 edge of the field." And away went the fourth 
 company in skirmish order, Ben leading as before. 
 They had started away from Manila ninety-six 
 strong, now the roll-call held but seventy-seven 
 names. 
 
 As they had done many times before, the Fili- 
 pinos held the intrenchments as long as possible, 
 then fled in wild disorder, burning whatever came 
 ready to hand. But the American troops were 
 close upon their heels, so that the firebrands had 
 but little opportunity to do serious damage. 
 
 w Hurrah, there is Malolos ! " came the cry, an 
 
328 TTNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 hour later, and looking ahead, Ben saw a fair- 
 sized town lying in a hollow. In the centre of 
 the town was a tall flagstaff from which proudly 
 floated the Filipino flag. 
 
 "We'll have that rag down pretty soon," came 
 from a number of Montana men, who were forcing 
 the fighting on the right. " All push, boys ! " 
 And they did " push " to such an extent that the 
 rebels went flying in all directions. Soon the 
 thick smoke rolled up from Malolos, the Filipino 
 signal that they had evacuated the place. A 
 crowd of Kansas soldiers, led by gallant Colonel 
 Funston, were the first to gain the streets of the 
 town, and the Montana men followed, hauling 
 down the rebel flag and replacing it with their 
 own. Then the regiment to which Ben belonged 
 came in, followed by all of the others, some of 
 them still fighting the Filipino sharpshooters who 
 had secreted themselves in a number of the houses. 
 
 " We must clean them all out ! " was the order, 
 meaning the sharpshooters, and Ben just turned to 
 cheer on his men when he felt a sudden shock in 
 the breast, followed by a strange sinking sensation. 
 He put his hand up, to withdraw it covered with 
 blood. 
 
CAPTURE OF THE REBEL CAPITAL 329 
 
 "I'm struck!" he gasped to several of the sol- 
 diers who came running up. " A sharpshooter 
 fired at me from that window," and as he tried to 
 point with his hand he fell back in a dead faint. 
 It was Casey and Gilbert who carried him to the 
 rear, and they did all they possibly could for him 
 until the surgeon arrived. Then the volunteers 
 ran to the front again, and shortly afterward the 
 last of the Filipinos were utterly routed, and Malolos 
 was ours. 
 
 A wild cheering went up when it was realized 
 that the rebel capital was really captured. But 
 there was still work to do, as the palace and 
 other important buildings were in flames, threaten- 
 ing the destruction of the whole place. Wher- 
 ever the fire was likely to gain headway it was 
 checked. The only inhabitants left were the 
 Chinese, who were busy looting the deserted 
 houses. Their stealings were speedily stopped, and 
 they were compelled to turn in and fight the fire 
 and afterward clean up the streets. 
 
 With the taking of Malolos it was felt that the 
 backbone of the rebellion was broken. Aguinaldo 
 had retreated still farther northward, the rebels 
 were scattered in many directions, and their leaders 
 
330 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 quarrelled among themselves, some wanting tc con- 
 tinue the fight, and others thinking it best to sue 
 for peace. What the outcome was to be, time 
 alone could tell. 
 
 As soon as the town became quiet, a hospital 
 was established there in which Ben and a number 
 of others who had been wounded were placed. It 
 was found that the bullet had caused a glancing 
 wound in the young acting captain's side, and that 
 while the injury was not serious yet he must 
 remain quiet for some time to come. 
 
 Many came to him while he lay sick, among 
 the number Gilbert and Major Morris. "It's too 
 bad, Ben," said the young Southerner. " But I 
 reckon this campaign is about over." 
 
 " He did nobly," said the major. " Not an offi- 
 cer in the whole command could have done better 
 than Acting Captain Russell did. I predict that 
 he'll be a colonel of volunteers, or a brigadier 
 general, before his career closes. I know he is 
 already listed for promotion of some kind." 
 
 "Well, I won't object to a regular captaincy," 
 answered Ben, with a faint smile. "And no 
 matter what position I hold, I'll always try to do 
 my best while fighting for Old Glory." 
 
CAPTURE OF THE REBEL CAPITAL 331 
 
 Here we will bring the story of Ben Russell's 
 campaign " Under Otis in the Philippines " to a 
 close. We have followed him and his brother 
 Larry in an interesting trip half around the world, 
 and we have seen him fighting bravely for many 
 weeks in and around Manila and other places of 
 importance in the island of Luzon. Now that he 
 lay wounded, his bravery did not desert him, and 
 to use Gilbert Pennington's way of expressing it, 
 "he took his medicine Hke a man." 
 
 As soon as he could, Ben wrote to Larry telling 
 him of the capture of Braxton Bogg, who had 
 been transferred to the Manila jail. He also wrote 
 to Walter and to Job Dowling, and my readers 
 can well imagine with what joy all received his 
 communications. Yet they were sorry to learn he 
 had been wounded, and Larry obtained a leave of 
 absence in order to run up to Malolos to visit 
 him. 
 
 "And what will you do, Larry?" asked Ben, 
 when he and his brother were on the point of 
 parting. " Will you remain in the navy ? " 
 
 " For the present, yes, since Walter is going to 
 do so. I'd rather be on a cruiser's deck than any- 
 where." 
 
332 UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
 
 " And I would rather be on the battlefield or in 
 camp," replied the young volunteer. 
 
 " We are a family of fighters, Ben," concluded 
 Larry. "Hurrah for Old Glory!" And the 
 wounded brother faintly echoed the cheer, 
 
 In the meantime the civil authorities took tht 
 bank case in hand, with a view to transporting 
 Braxton Bogg back to the United States and 
 recovering every dollar that had been appropriated. 
 But this task was much harder than anticipated, 
 as will be related in another volume, to be entitled 
 " The Campaign of the Jungle ; Or, Our Flag in 
 the Philippines," in which we shall again meet not 
 only Ben and Larry, but also Gilbert Pennington 
 and all our other friends. 
 
 And now we leave Ben, for the present, and 
 all the rest. No matter what befalls them in the 
 future, may they always be as successful in their 
 undertakings as the young lieutenant was when 
 fighting "Under Otis in the Philippines." 
 
The boys' delight — the " Old Glory Series." — The Christian Advocate, N.Y> 
 
 THE OLD GLORY SERIES 
 
 BY EDWARD STRATEMEYER 
 
 FIRST VOLUME 
 
 UNDER DEWEY AT MANILA 
 
 Or The War Fortunes of a Castaway 
 
 Cloth Illustrated by A. B. Shute Price $1.25 
 
 THIS book, published in September, 1898, at once sprang tc the front 
 as the greatest success among books for boys since the famous Army 
 and Navy series by " Oliver Optic," and its popularity has steadily in- 
 creased as the succeeding volumes of the series have appeared. 
 
 Edward Stratemeyer weaves the incidents of the nnval conflict at Manila into a 
 narrative of experiences and adventure which is wholesome in spirit and full of 
 excitement, and which the boys will like, — Congregationalist. 
 
 SECOND VOLUME 
 
 A YOUNG VOLUNTEER IN CUBA 
 
 Or Fighting for the Single Star 
 
 Cloth Illustrated by A. B. Shute Price $1.25 
 
 THE career of Larry Russell, as recorded in "Under Dewey at 
 Manila," was the hit of the season among juveniles. The fortunes 
 of Larry are equalled in interest by the adventures of Ben, his older 
 brother, and his friend, Gilbert Pennington, and the many exciting scenes 
 through which they passed during their service in the army. Ben enlisted 
 in a New York volunteer regiment, while Gilbert joined Colonel Roosevelt's 
 famous Rough Riders. Their life in camp, the capture of El Caney, the 
 charge at San Juan hill, are all vividly described. 
 
 Mr. Stratemeyer's boys are clean, manly fellows, and deserve the popularity 
 which doubtless awaits them. — Christian Register, 
 
 THIRD VOLUME 
 
 FIGHTING IN CUBAN WATERS 
 
 Or Under Schley on the "Brooklyn" 
 
 Cloth Illustrated by A. B. Shute Price $1.25 
 
 IN this book Walter Russell, brother to Larry and Ben, the respective 
 heroes of the two preceding volumes of the series, finds his way to 
 Boston, secures employment, enlists in the navy, and is assigned to the 
 " Brooklyn." Then follow intensely interesting chapters, telling of Com- 
 modore Schley, the routine life of the "Jackies," and blockade and dis- 
 covery of Cervera's fleet, followed by the memorable conflict of July 3. 
 
 *' Fighting- in Cuban Waters " is in the same hearty, manly spirit that has made 
 the other volumes of the Old Glory Series so much liked. — journal of Education. 
 
OLD GLORY SERIES 
 
 By EDWARD STRATEMEYER 
 
 FOURTH VOLUME 
 
 KMDER 0775 ZV TiZE PHILIPPINES 
 
 Or A Young Officer in the Tropics 
 
 Cloth Illustrated by A. B. Shute Price $1.25 
 
 THE " Young Officer in the Tropics " is none other than our eld friend 
 Ben Russell, who upon reenlisting for service in the Philippines is 
 given the same position, that of second lieutenant, to which he had beeD 
 promoted for gallantry while " A Young Volunteer in Cuba." 
 
 Mr. Stratemeyer is in a class by himself when it comes to writing 1 about Arneri. 
 can heroes, their brilliant doings on land and sea. — Times, Boston. . 
 
 FIFTH VOLUME 
 
 THE CAMPAIGN OF THE JUNGLE 
 
 Or Under Laivton through Luzon 
 
 Cloth Illustrated by A. B. Shute Price $1.25 
 
 BEN and Larry figure in the " Campaign of the Jungle," which has a 
 truthful and graphic historical setting in two expeditions of the noble 
 General Lawton, whose portrait adorns the cover, the first being that di- 
 rected against Santa Cruz on the Laguna de Bay, and the second from 
 Manila to San Isidro, through one hundred and fifty miles of jungle. The 
 same sterling qualities that have made these brothers so well liked carry 
 them through perilous scenes with true American fortitude, 
 A good war story. — San Francisco Bulletin. 
 
 SIXTH VOLUME 
 
 UNDER MACARTHUR IN LUZON 
 
 Or Last Battles in the Philippines 
 
 12tno Cloth llustrated by A. B. Shute Medallion cover 
 320 pages $1.25 
 
 WE have here a thoroughly up-to-date, clean, and entertaining boys' 
 story, complete in itself, but forming the sixth and last volume of 
 the " Old Glory " Series. The boys in all parts of the country have been 
 anxiously waiting to learn the final fortunes of the three Russell brothers, 
 Larry, Walter, and Ben, with scarcely less interest in Gilbert Pennington, 
 hero of "On to Pekin," and not forgetting other old friends on land and 
 sea. All are here, doing their duty in the same straightforward way as 
 ever; and the final battles in the Philippines are followed with that accu- 
 racy of statement which Mr. Stratemeyer always employs, thereby giving 
 general value to his books without in the least impairing the interest of the 
 storv, 
 
 Maintains the high standard in attractive narration which wai set by the firs', 
 volume. The «i» books mako s joznplete =ind valuable collection.., — "Nirm V—& 
 World 
 
THE LAKEPORT SERIES 
 
 By EDWARD STRATEMEYER 
 
 | III 11.11 II ■■■■■■■111 I ■1IIIIMII1 1 Ill III— ■■ 
 
 VOLUME ONE 
 
 THE GUN CLUB BOYS OF LAKEPORT 
 
 Or The Island Camp 
 
 321 pages Illustrated Price $1.25 
 
 A BRIGHT, breezy, outdoor story, telling how several lads organized 
 a gun club and went camping in the winter time. They had with 
 them a trusty old hunter who revealed to them many of the secrets of 
 Nature as found in the woods. A volume any boy who loves a gun 
 will appreciate. 
 
 This story of camping; and hunting will appeal to every American boy.— 
 Register, New Haven, Conn. 
 
 VOLUME TWO 
 
 THE BASEBALL BOYS OF LAKEPORT 
 
 Or The Winning Ran 
 
 315 pages Illustrated Price $1.25 
 
 WITH the coming of summer the boys turned their attention to 
 baseball and organized a club, and played many thrilling games. 
 The rivalry was of the keenest, and the particulars are given of a plot 
 to injure the Lakeport nine and make them lose the most important 
 game of all. 
 
 Will appeal to every healthy American boy. — American, Baltimore, Md. 
 
 VOLUME THREE 
 
 THE BOAT CLUB BOYS OF LAKEPORT 
 
 Or The Water Champions 
 
 300 pages Illustrated Price $1.25 
 
 T""HIS time the scene is shifted to the lake. The boys all know how 
 * to row and sail a boat, and they organize a club and have fun 
 galore. During a squall on the lake something of great value is lost 
 overboard. The abduction of a little girl adds to the interest of the 
 volume. Every lad who loves the water will read this volume with 
 pleasure. 
 
 This author knows how to please red-blooded lads.— Times-Union, Albany, 
 N.T. 
 
THE LAKEPORT SERIES 
 
 By EDWARD STRATEMEYER 
 
 VOLUME FOUR 
 
 THE FOOTBALL BOYS OF LAKEPORT 
 
 Or More Goals Than One 
 
 Illustrated by Arthur O. Scott 12mo Cloth Price, $1.25 
 
 "JTOOTBALL is one of the most 
 ■*■ popular sports of this country, 
 and in this tale Mr. Stratemeyer has 
 shown what the jolly and dauntless 
 boys of Lakeport did when the foot- 
 ball season came around. Their 
 heroes of the baseball field were not 
 long in organizing an eleven and 
 getting into practice, and there 
 followed a series of exciting contests 
 for the Lake Pennant. The boys had 
 a college man to coach them, and 
 made a number of brilliant plays, some of which are 
 described by the author in detail. How the quarter-back 
 of the eleven helped his rival of the gridiron to get away 
 from his enemies and reach the field in time, and then 
 defeated him, is told in a fashion that all football players 
 will appreciate. But the story is not all of the football 
 field, and some jolly times on the water and on an island 
 are depicted ; and the author shows how a youth, intensely 
 shrinking, overcame his timidity and made something of 
 himself by simply saying *'I will" and sticking to it. 
 
 ''The author of the Lakeport Series, Mr. Edward Stratemeyer, is well 
 known for his delightful boys' stories." — Philadelphia Ledger. 
 
 "The Lakeport Series, by Edward Stratemeyer, is the lineal descendant 
 of the better class of boys' books of a generation ago." — Christian 
 Advocate, New York, 
 
 "The Lakeport Series will be fully as popular as the author's Dave 
 Porter Series." — San Francisco Call. 
 
Mr. Stratemeyer's popularity will be increased by "Dave 
 Porter." — Times, Hartford, Conn. 
 
 DAVE PORTER SERIES 
 
 By EDWARD STRATEMEYER 
 
 VOLUME ONE 
 
 DAVE PORTER AT OAK HALL 
 
 Or the Schooldays of an American *Boy 
 
 312 pages Illustrated Price $1.25 
 
 NTEVER was there a brighter, more manly, thoroughly up-to-date boy 
 than Dave Porter, and all boys who read about him, and girls too, 
 for the matter of that, will be sure to love him from the start. How, as 
 a green country boy, he went to Oak Hall, how he was hazed, and how 
 he had to fight his way through is told with a naturalness that is true 
 to life. 
 The story is told with great fidelity to real life. — Eagle, Brooklyn, N. Y. 
 
 VOLUME TWO 
 
 DAVE PORTER IN THE SOUTH SEAS 
 
 Or The Strange Cruise of the Stormy Petrel 
 
 286 pages Illustrated Price $1.25 
 
 T"\AVE is the same bright, wide-awake youth he was at school, and his 
 
 adventures on shipboard and among the unexplored islands of the 
 
 South Seas will render him dearer to the hearts of the boys than ever. Dave 
 
 is trying to solve the mystery of his parentage, and several of his school 
 
 chums are with him during his wanderings, some sharing his perils. A 
 
 great tidal wave sends the ship into a strange harbor and there follows a 
 
 mutiny which places a number on board in great peril. 
 
 Mr. Stratemeyer's heroes are full of fun, and the activity that goes with youth, 
 6trength and high spirits. They are all safe — they work hard and play fairly. 
 —Star, Washington, D. C. 
 
 Mr. Stratemeyer has seldom introduced a more popular hero than Dave Porter. 
 He is a typical boy, manly, brave, always ready for a good time if it can be obtained 
 in an honorable way. — Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wis. 
 
DAVE PORTER SERIES 
 
 By EDWARD STRATEflEYER 
 
 VOLUME THREE 
 
 DAVE PORTERS RETURN TO SCHOOL 
 Or Winning the Medal of Honor 
 
 304 pages Illustrated Price $1.25 
 
 IN this volume the scene is shifted back to Oak Hall, and once again 
 Dave becomes the centre of as interesting a group of schoolboys as it is 
 psssible to imagine. There is a strong plot, with plenty of fun, and not 
 a few rivalries on the athletic field, and the whole volume has a swing 
 and a dash that are irresistible. 
 
 A good wholesome story, full of fun and go. — Christian Work, JV. Y. 
 Each story that comes from Bdward Stratemeyer's pen is eagerly read. — Boston 
 Herald. 
 
 VOLUME FOUR 
 
 DAVE PORTER IN THE FAR NORTH 
 
 Or The Pluck of an American Schoolboy 
 
 285 pages Illustrated Price $1.25 
 
 TN this book Dave is still at his well-liked boarding-school, Oak Hall, 
 ■*■ with his lively but manly comrades, who rejoice with him that he not 
 only has discovered his parentage, but has a father and sister living, though 
 unaware of his existence. Dave cannot rest until he finds those of his 
 own family, and having secured leave of absence from school and accom- 
 panied by his chum, the son of a United States Senator, he goes to 
 England only to find that his father has left on an expedition to the upper 
 part of Norway. The boys follow in a most exciting pursuit which is 
 replete with adventure. 
 
 The success of the "Dave Porter Series" is already surpassing Mr. Stratemeyer's 
 previous triumphs. — American, Nashville, Tenn. 
 
 Dave Porter is a typical American schoolboy, a scholar, an athlete and a good 
 fellow. — Herald, Rochester, N. Y. 
 
DAVE PORTER SERIES 
 
 By EDWARD STRATEMEYER 
 
 VOLUME FIVE 
 
 DAVE PORTER AND HIS CLASSMATES 
 
 Or For the Honor of Oak Hall 
 
 Illustrated by Charles Nuttall 12mo Cloth Price, $1.25 
 
 TN this volume Dave is back at Oak 
 Hall after his thrilling trip to find the 
 father he has never seen. His chums 
 are leaders in the activities of the 
 school, and Dave continues to be the 
 best type of an American schoolboy. 
 "For the honor of Oak Hall" he 
 brings about the complete reformation 
 of a former bully, who was rapidly 
 going to the bad. Athletic events and 
 jolly fun are constantly mingled, and as evidence that the 
 boys are not at school entirely for that, many take high 
 honors at the close of the year, Dave being prize essayist, 
 to the great delight of his friends. 
 
 "The best type of American schoolboy." — Boston Globe. 
 
 "One of the best of Edward Stratemeyer's books for boys." — Evening 
 News, Newark, N. y. 
 
 "Athletic events are told with a zest that shows the author's ability in 
 that direction." — News, Buffalo, N. Y. 
 
 "Will hold the attention of the readers from beginning to end." — 
 
 Citizen, Brooklyn, N. Y. 
 
 "Mr. Stratemeyer has a sympathetic understanding of boy nature, and 
 does not make the mistake of making it all a bed of roses for his hero." 
 — Union, Springfield, Mass. 
 
MEXICAN WAR SERIES 
 
 By EDWARD STRATEMEYER 
 
 VOLUME ONE 
 FOR THE LIBERTY OF TEXAS 
 
 12mo Cloth Illustrated Price, $1.25 
 
 MUCH is told here of Sam Houston, Davy 
 Crockett, Colonel Bowie, and other Texan 
 heroes in connection with the entertaining story 
 of the fortunes of two brothers, Dan and Ralph 
 Radbury. The fall of the Alamo is introduced, 
 and other famous incidents. 
 
 VOLUME TWO 
 
 WITH TAYLOR ON THE 
 
 RIO GRANDE 
 
 12mo Cloth Illustrated Price, $1.25 
 
 AS with each of the series, this is a complete story, but continues the 
 adventures of the patriotic young Radbury brothers. They serve 
 under General Taylor at Palo Alto, Monterey, and Buena Vista and share 
 in the glory of "Old Rough and Ready." 
 
 VOLUME THREE 
 UNDER SCOTT IN MEXICO 
 
 12mo Cloth Illustrated Price, $1.25 
 
 IN the concluding volume of this valuable historical series Dan and 
 Ralph come under the command of Gen. Winfield Scott and finally 
 bear their part in the triumphant entry of the proud city of Mexico. 
 
 These books were first issued under a pen name and by another 
 publisher. We have now placed them in the regular list of this unequaled 
 writer for boys, with an entirely new cover design in keeping with the 
 uniformly rich appearance of our Stratemeyer books. 
 
 " There are few live boys in the country who have not read the intensely 
 interesting books of Mr. Stratemeyer, and who do not have a warm place in their 
 hearts tor him. No living American writer of boys' books is so widely read, and 
 none so sure of a cordial welcome for everything that comes from his pen." — 
 Chicago News. 
 
PAN-AMERICAN SERIES 
 
 By EDWARD STRATEMEYER 
 
 — — ^ — — — — — ■— i ii i ————— 
 
 VOLUME ONE 
 
 LOST ON THE ORINOCO 
 
 Or American Boys in Venezuela 
 
 12mo Cloth Illustrated Price $1.25 
 
 THIS volume tells of five American youths, who, with their tutor, sail 
 from New York to La Guayra, touching at Curacao on the way. 
 They visit Caracas, go westward to the Gulf of Maracaibo and lake of 
 the same name, and at last find themselves in the region of the mighty 
 Orinoco, and of course they have some exciting experiences, one of which 
 gives name to the book. 
 
 Its pictures of South American life and scenery are novel and instructive.— 
 The Literary World, Boston. 
 
 The scenes described are of the sort to charm the hearts of adventurous boys— 
 The Outlook, N. T. 
 
 VOLUME TWO 
 
 THE YOUNG VOLCANO EXPLORERS 
 
 Or American Boys in the West Indies 
 
 12mo Cloth Illustrated Price $1.25 
 
 "THE boys, with their tutor, sail from Veoezuela to the West Indies, 
 1 stopping at Jamaica, Cuba, Hayti, and Porto Rico. They have 
 numerous adventures on the way, and then set out for St. Pierre, Mar- 
 tinique, where they encounter the effects of the eruption of Mt. Pelee, 
 and two of the boys are left on a raft to shift for themselves Life in the 
 West Indies is well portrayed. 
 
 VOLUME THREE 
 
 YOUNG EXPLORERS OF THE ISTHMUS 
 Or American Boys in Central America 
 
 306 pages Cloth Illustrated by A. B. Shute Price $1.25 
 
 DELATES adventures in a tour covering Nicaragua, Costa Rica, 
 *■*■ and the Isthmus of Panama. The party travel the various canal 
 routes, and have a number of highly interesting experiences. The vol- 
 ume contains a vast amount of timely information, and will be read with 
 interest by young men as well as boys. 
 
PAN-AMERICAN SERIES 
 
 By EDWARD STRATEMEYER 
 
 VOLUME FOUR 
 
 YOUNG EXPLORERS OF THE AMAZON 
 Or American Boys in Brazil 
 
 300 pages 12mo Illustrated by A. B. Shute Price $1.25 
 
 AN absorbing tale of sight-seeing and adventures in 
 Brazil. The five boys and their tutor travel the 
 whole seacoast from Rio de Janeiro to Para, and then 
 move up the Amazon into the rubber country and beyond. 
 The volume is filled with pen-pictures of life as it exists 
 in Brazil to-day, and will be heartily enjoyed by all young 
 people. 
 
 The Pan-American Series by Edward Stratemeyer has been declared by 
 the boys of this country to be the most up-to-date of all reading for the 
 young. Filled with action and good fellowship. — Waverley Magazine. 
 
 VOLUME FIVE 
 
 TREASURE SEEKERS OF THE ANDES 
 
 Or American Boys in Peru 
 
 310 pages Illustrated by Charles Nuttall Price $1.25 
 
 THIS volume takes the young explorers from the head 
 of the Amazon River to the coast of Peru and then 
 into the mighty snow-topped mountains. One of the boys 
 obtains possession of a secret regarding a Spanish treasure 
 and, with a companion, goes in quest of the same, and both 
 get lost in a series of caves. The volume is up-to-date and 
 will please both young and old. 
 
 Mr. Stratemeyer has acquired the art of weaving a good deal of solid 
 information with his web of startling adventure. — San Francisco Bulletin. 
 
THE LIBRARY OF THE 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF 
 
 NORTH CAROLINA 
 
 AT CHAPEL HILL 
 
 PRESENTED BY 
 
 Elizabeth Preston Ward 
 
 in memory of 
 Jean Versfelt Preston 
 
This book must not 
 be taken from the 
 Library building. 
 
 ENDOWED BY THE 
 
 DIALECTIC AND PHILANTHROPIC 
 
 SOCIETIES