CHAPTER XXIV
THE FLIGHT FOR LIBERTY
"Well, this is getting too monotonous for anything."
It was Larry who spoke, and he sat on the stump of a tree at the mouthof a wide cave, gazing disconsolately at a fire which severalinsurgents were trying to build.
The place was on the top of a high hill, backed up by still highermountains. On every hand were sharp rocks and trees, with a tangle ofthorns. Small wonder, then, that Aguinaldo and his cohorts consideredthese fastnesses inaccessible for American troops. No regular bodycould have gotten to such a place, and to forward supplies hither wastotally out of the question.
The rebels numbered fifteen, all mountaineers and strong. At GeneralLuna's request they had brought ten prisoners to the spot, and theother prisoners were to come up some time later. Why the Filipinosthus divided the men they had taken is not definitely known, yetdivided they were, until some escaped and others died or were givenup.
Since Larry had been captured he had passed through half a dozendifferent hands. It must be said he had been treated fairly well,better, perhaps, than many of my readers may suppose. To be sure, hisclothing was in rags and his shoes were almost minus their soles, butin these respects he was no worse off than those who kept him captive.Then, too, the food given him was very plain, but the rebels ate thesame, and to complain, therefore, would have been worse than useless.
Larry had missed Barton Brownell, for the pair had been fairlyfriendly, as we know. With the transferal to new quarters the youngsailor had struck up an acquaintanceship with Dan Leroy, one of the_Yorktown's_ men, also a prisoner. A number of the sailors from the_Yorktown_--in fact, a boatload, had been captured, but Leroy hadbecome separated from his messmates at the very start.
"Yes, it is monotonous, lad," said Leroy, who was resting at Larry'sfeet. "But, as I've said a hundred times afore, we can't helpourselves, consequently, make the best on it. Ain't that soundargyment, lad?"
"I reckon so, Leroy, but--but--"
"When ye git as old as I am you'll see things in a different light. Wecan't complain o' the treatment here, lad."
"But I would like to know how the war is going, and if my brotherknows I am alive."
"Reckon the war is goin' agin the Tagals, or they wouldn't bea-pushing back into the mountains like this."
"It's a wonder they don't try to exchange us."
At this Dan Leroy smiled grimly. "Might be as how they consider us toovallyble," he suggested. He was a short, stout fellow, much given tojoking, and rarely out of good humor.
It was about the middle of the afternoon, and from a long distancecame the sounds of firing. But the booming came from big field-pieces,so Larry knew it must be far away, and so it gave him small hope.
The rebels had just brought in some fresh meat, procured from the townat the foot of the long hill, and they speedily proceeded to make abeef stew with rice and yams. The smell was appetizing, and as nobodyhad had a square meal that day, Larry brightened over the prospect.
The cave in the hillside was irregular in shape, running back to aseries of openings which nobody had ever yet explored. In this cavethe insurgents kept some of their supplies, brought up from SanFernando, San Isidro, and other places. It was a fact that Aguinaldohardly knew where to "jump" next.
Before nightfall the dinner was ready, and the chief of the rebels hadthe prisoners supplied with bowls of the stew. "Eat all of eet," hesaid, with a grin. "For maybe no geet such t'ings to-morrow."
"Thanks, we'll fill up then," responded Larry, and set to with a will,as did all the other prisoners.
The captives were unarmed, and though the rebels watched them, theywere allowed more or less of the freedom of the camp. Finishing hisbowl of stew, Larry leaned over to where Leroy sat.
"Leroy, if we can manage to get a kettle of that stew, I'll be fortrying to get away to-night," he whispered.
"And how are ye going to get it, lad?" asked the sailor.
"Wait and you will see," was the answer, and Larry arose and saunteredover toward the fire.
"I spilt some of the stew on the ground," he said, which was true,although the amount had not been large. "Can I have more?"
"Yes, take what you will," returned the insurgent chief, who felt ingood humor, through having obtained a leave of absence, to start onthe morning following. "And give some to your friends. We'll fill upfor once."
"Thank you," answered Larry, and hurried to the other prisoners withthe big pot from over the fire. The prisoners had a large tin kettlefor water, fitted with a cover so that bugs might be kept out, andthis he filled to the brim, and also gave the others all they wished.
"Going to eat all of that?" queried one of the men, with a shortlaugh.
"Sometime--not now," answered Larry. Then he took the pot back to thefire and carried his bowl and the kettle into the cave. At once Leroyfollowed him.
"And now, what's this nonsense you're talkin' about running away?"demanded the _Yorktown_ sailor, as soon as they were alone.
"I'm going to try my luck to-night, Leroy. If you don't want to go,you can stay with the others."
"But how are you going? There's a guard around the foot of the hill,and they will shoot you on sight."
"I'm not going to try the foot of the hill--at least, not this side ofit."
"Well, you can't get to the other, for that cliff over this cave is inthe way."
"I'm going to explore the caves back of this. They must lead tosomewhere."
The old sailor shook his head. "More'n likely they lead to the bowelsof the earth. You'll fall into some pitfall, and that will be the endof you."
"I'll light a torch as soon as I am out of sight of this place, andI'll be very careful where I step."
"This cave may be as big as the Mammoth Cave of Kentucky. You'll getlost in one of the chambers and never find your way out."
"I'll have to risk that. But I'm bound to try it--if they give me thechance."
"You're foolish. Why, confound it, I've half of a mind to report thescheme."
"Oh, Leroy, surely you won't do that."
"I mean just to save you from yourself, Larry."
"I don't intend to remain a prisoner until I am baldheaded, Leroy.I'm going to try to escape--and that's the end of it."
"Will you take any of the others along?"
"If they want to go."
"There won't a soul go--and I know it," responded the stout sailor, inpositive tones.
When the other prisoners came in, he told them of Larry's plan. Oneand all of them agreed it was foolhardy.
"I don't believe there is any opening," said one. "Or if there is,it's so high up in the mountains that you'll never reach it."
"And what are you going to do for eating? That kettle of stew won'tlast forever," said another.
So the talk ran on, but the more he was opposed, the more headstrongdid Larry become--and that, as old readers know, was very much likehim.
"I shall go, and good-bye to all of you," he said, in conclusion. Andthen he shook hands with one after another, Leroy last of all. The_Yorktown's_ man was trembling.
"I hate ter see ye do it, lad," he said. "It seems like going todeath, but--but--hang it, I'll go along, so there!"
"But you needn't if you don't wish to," protested the youth. "I am notafraid to go alone."
"But I am a-going, and we'll sink or swim together, Larry. Who elsegoes?"
Dan Leroy, looked from one face to the next. But not another prisonerspoke, for each had taken a short walk to the rear caves and seenquite enough of them. Then a guard came in, and the strange meetingbroke up immediately.
The prisoners lay down to rest, but not one of them could go to sleep.All of the others were waiting for Larry and Leroy's departure. Atlast, satisfied that all was right for the night, the guard wentoutside, to join several of his companions around the camp-fire.
"Now, then," whispered Larry, and arose, to be followed immediately byDan Leroy. The kettle secured, they hurried for the rear
of the outercave, without so much as looking at the others, who raised up to watchtheir shadowy disappearance.
The flight for liberty had begun. Would it succeed or fail?