e stolen money
with him, and the Russell inheritance--or at least the larger portion
of it--was as far out of the reach of the boys as ever.

CHAPTER II

SOMETHING ABOUT THE SITUATION AT MALOLOS

"Do you know if the Manila authorities have any idea where this
Benedicto Lupez has gone to?" asked Ben, after partaking of some
delicacies which Larry had managed to obtain for him.

"They think he got on a small boat and went up the Pasig River. He is
supposed to have a brother living in Santa Cruz on the Laguna de Bay.
This brother is said to be in thorough sympathy with the insurgents."

"In that case he is out of our reach for the present, as the rebels,
so I understand, have a pretty good force in and around Santa Cruz.
But if this Lupez has the money, I can't understand how he would join
the rebels. They'll try to get the cash from him, if they need it."

"Perhaps he is foolish enough to think that they will win out in this
fight, Ben. You know how hot-headed some of these people are. They
haven't any idea of the real power of Uncle Sam. I believe if they
did know, they would submit without another encounter."

"It would be best if they did, Larry, for now that we are in this
fight we are bound to make them yield. Once they throw down their
arms, I feel certain our country will do what is fair and honest by
them."

"It's the leaders who are urging the ignorant common people on--I've
heard more than one of the officers say so. The leaders are well
educated and crafty, and they can make the masses believe almost
anything. Why, just before I came away from Manila I saw a dozen or
more Igorottes brought in--tall, strapping fellows, but as ignorant as
so many children. They seemed to be dazed when their wounds were cared
for and they were offered food. The interpreter said they thought they
would be massacred on the spot by the bloodthirsty _Americanos_, and
they had a lurking suspicion that they were being cared for just so
they could be sold into slavery."

At this juncture a tall, thoroughly browned soldier came in, wearing
the uniform of a first lieutenant.

"Well, Ben, how is it to-day," he said cheerily, as he extended his
hand. "And how are you, Larry?" And he likewise shook hands with the
young tar.

"I'm hoping to get out soon, Gilbert," answered Ben. "But what's
this--a lieutenant's uniform?"

"Yes, I've been promoted to first lieutenant of Company B," returned
Gilbert Pennington. "I tell you