CHAPTER XXVII
THE DEPARTURE OF THE _OLYMPIA_
The advances of both General MacArthur and General Lawton had been sofar nothing but a series of successes, and so hard were the insurgentspressed, that they scarcely knew what to do next. Again they sued forpeace, but as the Americans were not inclined to grant them anythinguntil they had surrendered unconditionally, the war went on, but inmore of a guerilla-fight fashion than ever.
Near San Fernando the rebels continued to tear up the railroad tracks,and likewise attacked a train of supplies, killing and woundingseveral who were on board. They also attacked several gunboats comingup the San Fernando River, keeping themselves safely hidden, in themeantime, behind high embankments thrown up along the stream. Whilethis was going on General Aguinaldo called a council of war, at SanIsidro, at which fifty-six of his main followers were present. By avote it was found that twenty were for peace, twenty for war, andsixteen wished to negotiate with the United States for better terms.This gathering gave rise to a rumor that the war would terminateinside of forty-eight hours. Alas! it was still to drag on for manymonths to come.
The day after the tornado found Ben safe in camp again, with Gilbertin the hospital receiving every attention. It was Sunday, and a day ofrest for the majority of the troops. At a small tent a short servicewas held, and Ben walked over, to hear a very good sermon on man'sduty toward God under any and all circumstances. The sermon wasfollowed by the singing of several hymns, and the soldiers remained atthe spot for an hour or more afterward, talking over the generalsituation.
"It always takes me back home to hear the preachin'," remarked RalphSorrel. "I'm mighty glad we have it. It shows we ain't no heathens,even though we air livin' a kind o' hit-an'-miss life a-followin' upthese yere rebs."
On Monday the scouts went out to the front, and a small brush washad with a number of the insurgents in the vicinity of San Miguelde Mayumo. They reported that the Filipinos had a number ofintrenchments placed across the roads, but seemed to be retreatingtoward San Isidro.
"If Aguinaldo makes a stand anywhere, it will be at San Isidro," saidBen to Major Morris, as the two discussed the situation. "Oh, but I dowish we could have one big battle and finish this campaign!"
"How about the big battle going against us?" demanded the major, butwith a twinkle in his eye.
"It would never go against us," answered the young captain, promptly,"and the insurgents know it. That is why they keep their distance."
The scouts had brought in a dozen or more prisoners, and among themwere a Filipino and a Spaniard, both of whom could speak English quitefluently. As soon as he could obtain permission, Ben hurried over tohave a talk with the prisoners.
He found that the Filipino had belonged to those having some of theAmerican prisoners in charge.
"And do you know anything of my brother?" he asked eagerly. "He is ayoung sailor from the _Olympia_, and his name is Larry Russell."
"Yes, yes, I know him," answered the Filipino, nodding his head. "Hewas at the cave where they have kept some of the prisoners for a longtime." And he described Larry so minutely that Ben felt there couldbe no mistake about the matter.
"Is my brother well? How do they treat him? Please tell me thetruth."
"You may not believe it, but we treat our prisoners good," said theFilipino. "And when I saw your brother last he was very well."
"And where is this prison cave?"
At this the insurgent shrugged his shoulder. "Now, _capitan_, you areasking me too much. I am pleased to tell you that your brother issafe. More than that I cannot tell, for it would not be right."
This was not encouraging, yet Ben could not help but admire theprisoner's loyalty to his cause. "Very well," he said. "I am thankfulto know that my brother is well. I was afraid that prison life mightmake him sick."
A little later the young captain got the chance to talk to the Spanishprisoner, who was making an application for his release, claiming thathe was friendly to the United States and had never encouraged therebels. Seldom had the young captain met more of a gentleman thanSenor Romano proved to be.
"Ah, the war is terrible! terrible!" said the senor, after Ben hadintroduced himself. "It is bloodshed, bloodshed, all the time. Whereit will end, Heaven alone knows--but I am afraid the Filipinos will bebeaten far worse than was my own country."
"I think you are right there," replied Ben. "But we can't do anythingfor them now until they lay down their arms."
"The war has ruined hundreds of planters and merchants,--wholefortunes have been swept away,--and the insurgents have levied taxeswhich are beyond endurance. To some, Aguinaldo is their idol, but tome he is a base schemer who wants everything, and only for his ownglory. But he cannot hold out much longer,--you are pressing him intothe very mountains,--and once away from the civilization of the towns,his followers will become nothing but _banditti_--mark me if it is notso."
"You are a resident of Luzon?" went on Ben.
"Hardly. I belong in Spain--but I have lived here for several years."
"Do you know one Benedicto Lupez, or his brother Jose."
At this question the brow of Senor Romano darkened.
"Do I know them? Ah, yes, I know them only too well. They are rascals,villains, cheats of the worst order. I trust they are not yourfriends."
"Hardly, although I should like first-rate to meet them, andespecially to meet Benedicto."
"And for what? Excuse my curiosity, but what can an American captainand gentleman like you have in common with Benedicto Lupez?"
"I want to get hold of some bank money that he carried off," answeredthe young captain, and told the story of the missing funds and thepart the Spaniard was supposed to have played in their disappearance.
"It is like Lupez," answered Senor Romano. "He is wanted in Cuba forhaving swindled a rich aunt out of a small fortune; and in Manila youwill find a hundred people who will tell you that both brothers arerascals to the last degree, although, so far, they have kept out ofthe clutches of the law--through bribery, I think."
"Not during General Otis's term of office?"
"No; before the city fell into your hands. The government was verycorrupt and winked at Lupez's doings so long as he divided withcertain officials."
"And what did he work at?"
"Land schemes and loan companies. He once got me interested in a landscheme, and his rascality cost me many dollars, and I came pretty nearto going to prison in the bargain." Senor Romano paused a moment. "Ifyour troops take San Isidro, you will have a good chance to catch bothof the brothers."
"What! do you mean to say they are at San Isidro?" exclaimed the youngcaptain.
"They are, or, at least, they were two or three days ago. How longthey will stay there, I cannot say. They were at the council of warheld by Aguinaldo's followers."
"I see." Ben mused for a moment. "Of course you do not know if theyhad the stolen money with them?"
"They appeared to have some money, for both were offered positions inthe army, and that would not have happened had not they had funds tobuy the offices with. They appeared to be very thick with a generalnamed Porlar,--a tricky fellow of French-Malay blood. I believe thethree had some scheme they wished to put through."
"Well, I'd like to catch the pair. I wonder if Aguinaldo would keepthem around him, if he knew their real characters?"
At this Senor Romano laughed outright. "You do not know how bad aresome of the men around the arch rebel, _capitan_. He has some badadvisers, I can tell you that. To some of the worst of the crowd,Aguinaldo is but a figurehead."
The pair discussed the matter for half an hour; and during that timeBen became convinced that Senor Romano had small sympathy for theinsurgents, and was certainly not of their number.
"I will do what I can for you, senor," he said, on parting. "I do notbelieve you will be kept a prisoner long." And the young captain wasright on this score; the Spanish gentleman was released inside offorty-eight hours, and journeyed to Manila in company with
adetachment bound for the capital of Luzon.
The two talks made Ben do a good deal of sober thinking. He now knewto a certainty that Larry was alive and well, and he knew also thatBenedicto Lupez was at or near San Isidro, and more than likely hadthe stolen money on his person. "I wish we could push ahead withoutdelay," he muttered. "I might make a splendid strike all around. Iknow Larry is just aching to be at liberty once more."
But supplies were again slow in coming to the front, and GeneralLawton did not feel like risking his men when the Filipinos mightsurrender at any moment. So a delay of several days occurred, withonly a little skirmish here and there to break the monotony.
"Hullo, here's news!" cried Major Morris, as he rushed up to Ben'squarters one morning. "Dewey is going to sail for the United States."
"With the _Olympia_?" queried the young captain.
"Yes. The warship leaves next Saturday, with all on board. Won't heget a rousing reception when he arrives home?"
"Larry won't be with him," said Ben.
"By Jove, captain, that's so. It's too bad, isn't it? I suppose hewould like to go, too."
"I can't say as to that. Perhaps he would just as lief stay here andjoin some command on land, or some other ship, especially if he knewthat my brother Walter was coming on. But I am sure he would like tosee his old messmates off," concluded Ben.
Admiral Dewey started for the United States at four o'clock in theafternoon of Saturday, May 20. The departure proved a gala time, theharbor and shipping being decorated, and the other warships firing asalute. The bands played "Auld Lang Syne," "Home, Sweet Home," and"America," and the jackies crowded the tops to get a last look at thenoble flagship as she slipped down the bay toward the China Sea, withthe admiral standing on the bridge, hat in hand, and waving them afinal adieu. In all the time he had been at Manila, Admiral Dewey hadserved his country well, and his home-coming was indeed to be one ofgrand triumph.