CHAPTER XX
THE ADVANCE UPON MAASIN
Ben was much surprised and also delighted to learn that BartonBrownell had met Larry, and he lost no time in questioning the escapedsoldier regarding his missing brother.
"Yes, your brother was with me about two weeks," said Barton Brownell."He came up with a detachment of rebels from the Laguna de Bay, afterGeneral Lawton left that territory."
"And was he well, or had he been wounded?"
"He was suffering from a cut in the head. A Spaniard had kickedhim--and, yes, he told me it was a Spaniard that you and he were afterfor having robbed a bank of some money."
"Benedicto Lupez!" ejaculated Ben, more astonished than ever.
"That's the name. Your brother had run across that man and his brotherat Santa Cruz, and he was trying to make this Benedicto Lupez aprisoner, when the brother kicked him in the head, and then both ofthem ran away, and when your brother realized what was going on againhe found himself a prisoner. He was taken to a camp near the northshore of the Laguna de Bay, and afterward transferred to the cavewhere I was held."
"I am thankful that he is alive," murmured the young captain, andbreathed silent thanks to God for His mercy. "Do you know where theytook Larry to?"
"I can't say exactly, but I know that a great many of the rebels areretreating to the mountains back of San Isidro. I wouldn't besurprised to hear of Aguinaldo making his final stand there."
"I would give all I am worth to gain my brother his liberty."
"And I reckon he would give all he is worth to escape," rejoinedBrownell. "The boys hate to be kept prisoners, and try all sorts ofdevices to get away. One fellow had some gold hidden on his person andtried to bribe a guard with it. But the guard only laughed at him andstole the money."
"Of course you do not know what became of Benedicto Lupez and hisbrother."
"No, your brother knew nothing further than that they ran off afterthe assault on him," concluded Brownell.
The talking had somewhat exhausted the wounded man and Ben forbore toquestion him further just then. While Barton Brownell rested easily onsome moss, the young captain turned to the commander of the firstbattalion.
"What shall we do next, major?"
"I think we had better be getting back," was the ready answer. "Thesooner we report to the colonel the better he will be pleased."
"I feel like pushing right through to San Isidro, on a hunt for mybrother."
"It would be a foolish movement, captain, for, unless I am greatlymistaken, the insurgents have a large force in front of us, and toattempt breaking through would be taking a big risk. Be thankful thatyour brother is safe thus far. As long as he remains quiet I don'tthink the rebels will harm him."
Ben could not but believe that this was good advice, and he agreed todo as the major thought best. It was now three o'clock in the morning,and half an hour later they started, thinking to rejoin their commandbefore daylight.
It was an exhausting tramp, the more so because Brownell had to beassisted by one or the other for the entire distance.
"I'm a great drag," sighed the wounded soldier. "Perhaps you hadbetter push on and let me shift for myself." But the major and thecaptain would not hear of this.
They had one little brush with two of the Filipino pickets beforegetting into the American lines, but the rebels were young men and notvery courageous and let them slip by without great trouble.
It was Major Morris who made the report to the colonel, taking Ben andBrownell with him. Colonel Darcy was greatly interested.
"It is, then, as I supposed," he said. "This information will be ofgreat value to us, Major Morris," and he thanked the major and Ben forwhat they had done. Brownell's report was also received with closeconsideration by General Lawton himself.
"If the prisoners have been taken to San Isidro, we must try our bestto liberate them," said the general. "I am so glad to learn, though,that the rebels are not ill-treating them, as I had supposed."
It was Ben, assisted by Casey, who saw Brownell to the hospital andhad the wounded soldier given every attention. When they parted,Brownell, although now so exhausted that he could scarcely speak,shook the young captain's hand warmly.
"I hope you find your brother soon," he said. "I can imagine how badit makes you feel to know that he is a prisoner."
The advance of General Lawton's command was now directed at Maasin, afew miles beyond Baliuag. It was led by Colonel Summers, who took withhim some Oregon, Dakota, and Third Infantry troops and a battery ofthe Utah Light Artillery, with other troops following, including Ben'sbattalion with Major Morris at its head. As before, the advance wasalong the main road and through the rice-fields, cane-brakes, and thejungle, with the air so oppressive that it felt as though coming outof a steaming oven.
"I dink me I vos right in it from der start, alretty!" exclaimed CarlStummer, as he plodded along. "Dis vos vorse as der march on Malolos,eh, Tan?"
"Sure, an' it's no picnic," replied the Irish volunteer. "But thin,Carl, me b'y, ye must remimber, we didn't come out here fer fun. Wekem out fer to show thim haythins how to behave thimselves an' growup into useful an' ornamental citizens av the greatest republic thativer brathed th' breath av life."
"Chust so," returned the German volunteer. "But it vos uphill vork,ennahow," and he sighed deeply. Carl could fight as well as anyold-time trooper, but the long tramps through the jungle alwaysdisgusted him.
There was the river to cross upon which the mill-house was located,and Ben could not help but wonder if the Spanish woman was still atthe structure, and how the American deserters had fared. But themill-house was too far away to visit, and now the battalion wasordered into action on the upper side of the stream.
"Gangway for General Lawton!" was the cry that reached Ben's ears afew minutes later, and then came a crashing of horses' hoofs, and thetall general rode through their open ranks, followed by severalmembers of his staff. As was usual, the general was bound for thefiring line, to personally direct the movements of the men under him.Many were the times that the members of his staff urged him not tomake a target of himself. He would not listen; and in the end thisdaring exposure cost the gallant leader his life.
But now all was excitement, for a large force of rebels had beenuncovered and there was no telling but what the jungle ahead concealedeven more. "We are up against it, fellows!" shouted one of thesergeants. "Let us rush 'em for keeps!" And on swept the battalion,until the steady pop-pop of Mausers and the crack of the Springfieldscould be heard upon every side.
Ben's company was no longer as large as it had been, for death anddisease had sadly depleted the ranks. Yet the forty-six men in thecommand were now thoroughly seasoned fighters, and all loved theiryoung and dashing leader and would have followed him anywhere.
Presently an orderly dashed up to Major Morris.
"Major, Colonel Darcy wishes you to take your command up yonder hill.The rebels have a battery up there, as you can see. If you can rushthe position, he will send another battalion to your support."
"Tell Colonel Darcy I will obey the order," answered Major Morris.Then he turned to the four companies. "Boys, we are ordered to takeyonder hill and the two field-pieces perched on top of it. Come on,and I will lead you!"
He waved his sword and away went the first battalion on the doublequick, two companies to the front. There was first a slight hollow tocross, and then came a thicket of brambles where many a uniform wasreduced to rags. The battery at the top of the hill saw them comingand directed a heavy fire at their advance.
"Hot work!" cried the major, as he ranged up alongside of Ben. "I amafraid the carrying out of this order will cost us dear."
"If you'll allow me to make a suggestion, major--" began Ben.
"Make a dozen, captain."
"Why not take a course to the left then."
"For what reason?"
"There is a big rock on that side, on the very top of the hill."
"But we can't climb that rock."
r /> "No, and neither can the rebels fire over it with their field-pieces.When we get up to the rock we can march around it."
"Well spoken, Russell--you're a born strategist," cried the major, whowas too generous to have any ill feeling because somebody offered hima suggestion. "We'll go that way." And he immediately gave necessaryorders.
But the advance was by no means easy, and soon the battalion founditself under such a galling fire that the men were glad enough to seekthe shelter of every rock and bush which came handy. The battery couldnot do everything, and afraid of having his pieces taken from him, thecaptain had called upon several companies of the Filipinos to assisthim in maintaining his position.
"Down!" suddenly shouted Gilbert Pennington, and down went the men,and the next instant a shell burst directly over their heads.
"This is hot and no mistake," murmured Ben. Then he turned to hiscommand. "Forward, men, the sooner we take that position the better itwill be for us." And up the hill he dashed, with Casey, Stummer, andthe rest following as best they could, for the way was steep anduncertain. At last the very edge of the big rock was gained, andCompany D poured around its left side, to find themselves suddenlyconfronted by a body of Tagalos fully a hundred strong. In themeantime the other companies under Major Morris were coming up on theopposite side of the rock. Ben was on the point of shouting someadditional words of encouragement to his men, when he found himselfface to face with a mighty Igorrote warrior, who with his long lanceseemed determined to pierce the young captain through and through.