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.

CHAPTER XXVIII

THE ADVANCE UPON SAN ISIDRO

"Why, Luke Striker, is it possible! I thought you had sailed for the
United States on the _Olympia_."

"Well, ye hadn't no right to think that, captain," responded the old
gunner, as he shook hands warmly. "It mig