escape from the caves, and of how all three of the party had
become lost in the swamp lands.

"We were in the swamps two days, and thought we would never get out,"
he continued. "Luckily, we had some caribao meat with us; otherwise we
should have starved to death. The swamps were full of mosquitoes and
lizards and lots of other things, and we were almost eaten up alive,
eh, Boxer?"

"So we were," replied the scout.

"But what of my brother?" asked Ben, impatiently.

At this the faces of both of the men fell.

"We can't say what became o' him," said the sailor from the
_Yorktown_. "You see, after we got out of the swamp, we determined to
stick to the high ground until we found a regular trail leading to
the south. Well, our walk took us up to a high cliff overlooking a
gorge filled with trees and bushes. We were walking ahead, with Larry
at our heels, as we thought, when Boxer chanced to look around, and
the boy was gone."

"Gone!" gasped Ben, in horror.

"Yes, gone! We couldn't understand it, and called to him, but he
didn't answer. Then we went back about quarter of a mile, past the
spot where we had seen him last, and fired the pistol as a signal. But
he had disappeared totally, and we couldn't find hide nor hair o' him,
try our level best."

The confession was a sickening one, and for several minutes Ben could
not trust himself to speak.

"And--and what do you think became of my brother?" he asked, at
length.

Both men shrugged their shoulders. "I'm afraid he fell over the
cliff," said Boxer. "You see, the footpath was narrow and mighty
slippery in spots."

At once Ben's mind went back to that scene in far-away Cuba, when
Gerald Holgait had fallen over a cliff. Had a similar fate overtaken
his brother? and if so, was he still alive or had he been dashed to
his death?

"How far is that spot from here?" he demanded abruptly.

"Not over a mile, cap'n," answered Boxer.

"I see you are a scout. Can you take me to the place?"

"Certainly--but--but--it's mighty risky, cap'n--so many rebs lurking
about."

"Never mind--I must find Larry, alive or dead. Take me to him, and
I'll pay you well for your services."

"I ain't asking a cent, cap'n--that ain't my style."

"Then you will take me?"

"I will," said Boxer, promptly. "Only I'll have to report first and
get official permission."

"Major Morris will arrange that for you, I feel certain," answered
Ben, turning to the major, who sat near, drinking