THE DEPARTURE OF THE _OLYMPIA_
The advances of both General MacArthur and General Lawton had been so
far nothing but a series of successes, and so hard were the insurgents
pressed, that they scarcely knew what to do next. Again they sued for
peace, but as the Americans were not inclined to grant them anything
until they had surrendered unconditionally, the war went on, but in
more 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 wounding
several who were on board. They also attacked several gunboats coming
up the San Fernando River, keeping themselves safely hidden, in the
meantime, behind high embankments thrown up along the stream. While
this was going on General Aguinaldo called a council of war, at San
Isidro, at which fifty-six of his main followers were present. By a
vote it was found that twenty were for peace, twenty for war, and
sixteen wished to negotiate with the United States for better terms.
This gathering gave rise to a rumor that the war would terminate
inside of forty-eight hours. Alas! it was still to drag on for many
months to come.
The day after the tornado found Ben safe in camp again, with Gilbert
in the hospital receiving every attention. It was Sunday, and a day of
rest for the majority of the troops. At a small tent a short service
was held, and Ben walked over, to hear a very good sermon on man's
duty toward God under any and all circumstances. The sermon was
followed by the singing of several hymns, and the soldiers remained at
the spot for an hour or more afterward, talking over the general
situation.
"It always takes me back home to hear the preachin'," remarked Ralph
Sorrel. "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' up
these yere rebs."
On Monday the scouts went out to the front, and a small brush was
had with a number of the insurgents in the vicinity of San Miguel
de Mayumo. They reported that the Filipinos had a number of
intrenchments placed across the roads, but seemed to be retreating
toward San Isidro.
"If Aguinaldo makes a stand anywhere, it will be at San Isidro," said
Ben to Major Morris, as the two discussed the situation. "Oh, but I do
wish we could have one big battle and finish this campaign!"
"How about the big battle going against us?" demanded the major, but
with 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 them
were a Filipino and a Spaniard, both of whom could speak English quite
fluently. As soon as he could obtain permission, Ben hurried over to
have a talk with the prisoners.
He found that the Filipino had belonged to those having some of the
American prisoners in charge.
"And do you know anything of my brother?" he asked eagerly. "He is a
young sailor from the _Olympia_, and his name is Larry Russell."
"Yes, yes, I know him," answered the Filipino, nodding his head. "He
was at the cave where they have kept some of the prisoners for a long
time." And he described Larry so minutely that Ben felt there could
be no mistake about the matter.
"Is my brother well? How do they treat him? Please tell me the
truth."
"You may not believe it, but we treat our prisoners good," said the
Filipino. "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 are
asking me too much. I am pleased to tell you that your brother is
safe. More than that I cannot tell, for it would not be right."
This was not encouraging, yet Ben could not help but admire the
prisoner's loyalty to his cause. "Very well," he said. "I am thankful
to know that my brother is well. I was afraid that prison life might
make him sick."
A little later the young captain got the chance to talk to the Spanish
prisoner, who was making an application for his release, claiming that
he was friendly to the United States and had never encouraged the
rebels. Seldom had the young captain met more of a gentleman than
Senor Romano proved to be.
"Ah, the war is terrible! terrible!" said the senor, after Ben had
introduced himself. "It is bloodshed, bloodshed, all the time. Where
it will end, Heaven alone knows--but I am afraid the Filipinos will be
beaten far worse than was my own country."
"I think you are right there," replied Ben. "But we can't do anything
for them now until they lay down their arms."
"The war has ruined hundreds of planters and merchants,--whole
fortunes have been swept away,--and the insurgents have levied taxes
which are beyond endurance. To some, Aguinaldo is their idol, but to
me he is a base schemer who wants everything, and only for his own
glory. But he cannot hold out much longer,--you are pressing him into
the very mountains,--and once away from the civilization of the towns,
his followers will become nothing but _banditti_--mark me if it is not
so."
"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 your
friends."
"Hardly, although I should like first-rate to meet them, and
especially to meet Benedicto."
"And for what? Excuse my curiosity, but what can an American captain
and gentleman like you have in common with Benedicto Lupez?"
"I want to get hold of some bank money that he carried off," answered
the young captain, and told the story of the missing funds and the
part the Spaniard was supposed to have played in their disappearance.
"It is like Lupez," answered Senor Romano. "He is wanted in Cuba for
having swindled a rich aunt out of a small fortune; and in Manila you
will find a hundred people who will tell you that both brothers are
rascals to the last degree, although, so far, they have kept out of
the 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 very
corrupt and winked at Lupez's doings so long as he divided with
certain officials."
"And what did he work at?"
"Land schemes and loan companies. He once got me interested in a land
scheme, and his rascality cost me many dollars, and I came pretty near
to going to prison in the bargain." Senor Romano paused a moment. "If
your troops take San Isidro, you will have a good chance to catch both
of the brothers."
"What! do you mean to say they are at San Isidro?" exclaimed the young
captain.
"They are, or, at least, they were two or three days ago. How long
they will stay there, I cannot say. They were at the council of war
held by Aguinaldo's followers."
"I see." Ben mused for a moment. "Of course you do not know if they
had the stolen money with them?"
"They appeared to have some money, for both were offered positions in
the army, and that would not have happened had not they had funds to
buy the offices with. They appeared to be very thick with a general
named Porlar,--a tricky fellow of French-Malay blood. I believe the
three had some scheme they wished to put through."
"Well, I'd like to catch the pair. I wonder if Aguinaldo would keep
them around him, if he knew their real characters?"
At this Senor Romano laughed outright. "You do not know how bad are
some of the men around the arch rebel, _capitan_. He has some bad
advisers, 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 time
Ben became convinced that Senor Romano had small sympathy for the
insurgents, and was certainly not of their number.
"I will do what I can for you, senor," he said, on parting. "I do not
believe you will be kept a prisoner long." And the young captain was
right on this score; the Spanish gentleman was released inside of
forty-eight hours, and journeyed to Manila in company with a
detachment bound for the capital of Luzon.
The two talks made Ben do a good deal of sober thinking. He now knew
to a certainty that Larry was alive and well, and he knew also that
Benedicto Lupez was at or near San Isidro, and more than likely had
the stolen money on his person. "I wish we could push ahead without
delay," he muttered. "I might make a splendid strike all around. I
know Larry is just aching to be at liberty once more."
But supplies were again slow in coming to the front, and General
Lawton did not feel like risking his men when the Filipinos might
surrender at any moment. So a delay of several days occurred, with
only a little skirmish here and there to break the monotony.
"Hullo, here's news!" cried Major Morris, as he rushed up to Ben's
quarters 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 he
get 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 he
would like to go, too."
"I can't say as to that. Perhaps he would just as lief stay here and
join some command on land, or some other ship, especially if he knew
that my brother Walter was coming on. But I am sure he would like to
see his old messmates off," concluded Ben.
Admiral Dewey started for the United States at four o'clock in the
afternoon of Saturday, May 20. The departure proved a gala time, the
harbor and shipping being decorated, and the other warships firing a
salute. The bands played "Auld Lang Syne," "Home, Sweet Home," and
"America," and the jackies crowded the tops to get a last look at the
noble flagship as she slipped down the bay toward the China Sea, with
the admiral standing on the bridge, hat in hand, and waving them a
final adieu. In all the time he had been at Manila, Admiral Dewey had
served his country well, and his home-coming was indeed to be one of
grand triumph.