The youth felt utterly crushed, and sitting down on a rock, with a
heart as heavy as lead, he wondered what was going to happen next.
Would they really shoot him? The thought was agony itself.

There were no other prisoners in the camp, so he was left for a long
time alone, although several soldiers kept their eyes upon him, that
he might not wander away. Soon supper was served, and one of the
Tagals brought him a bowl of rice and meat. It must be confessed that
he was now tremendously hungry, and ate all of what was given him,
despite his down-heartedness.

The meal finished, the Filipinos were sitting around their camp-fires,
when a certain General Drummo was announced. At once there was a
parade, which the general reviewed with satisfaction. The newcomer was
served with supper, and then Larry was brought before him.

The general had his head full of his plans for the morrow and gave the
boy but scant attention.

"You knew the risk you ran when you stole away," he said, in broken
English. "It is true you are but a boy, yet I'll wager you can use a
gun better than some of our own men. I cannot pardon you, for that
would be setting a bad example. So I hereby sentence you to be shot at
sunrise to-morrow,--and may your death be an example to others who are
thinking of escape."

Before Larry could say a word, if indeed he wanted to speak, he was
led away to a hollow back of the camp. Here he was tied fast to a
tree, and two soldiers were detailed to guard him until the hour for
his execution should arrive.

CHAPTER XXX

A RESCUE UNDER DIFFICULTIES

"Nothing here, cap'n."

It was Boxer the scout who spoke. For two hours he, Ben, and Luke
Striker had been examining the trail running along the cliff. They
could find footprints without number, but no trace of Larry.

"He must have gone somewhere," replied Ben, who could not bring
himself to give up the hunt. "He wasn't spirited away. I've a good
mind to make a hunt at the bottom of the cliff."

"As you will, cap'n. But, remember, this air side o' the valley is
full of rebs, and if they catch us--"

"We must be on our guard, Boxer."

"I've got my eyes wide open," put in Luke. "I reckon on it as how I
can see as far as any on 'em, too."

The walk to the cliff had not been accomplished without difficulty.
Twice had they come close to running into the Filipino pickets, and
once Luke had been almost certain they were being followed, but the
alarm proved f