now so shaped
themselves that absolute freedom for them appeared to be out of the
question. So the conference practically amounted to nothing. And while
this was taking place, General Hale began to move eastward to join
General Lawton's command on its march toward San Isidro. It was the
policy of all the American commanders to give the Filipinos no rest
during the short time left to them before the heaviest of the rainy
season set in.

A rest of two days did Ben's company a world of good. Communications
with Malolos were now opened, and supplies were coming forward
rapidly. With the supply wagons came Carl Stummer, just from the
hospital and still somewhat "shaky," but eager to be again on the
firing line.

"I could not dink me of stayin' any longer," he said, as he shook
hands all around. "Der docther say, 'You vos besser here,' und I say,
'I ton't gits me no besser bis I schmell dot powder purning vonce more
alretty!'"

"Well, it's powdher ye'll be afther shmellin' soon," put in Dan Casey.
"It's forward we go to-morrow, so th' colonel is afther sayin'."

"Goot!" said Carl. Then he added with a faint smile. "You see, Tan, I
vos afraid you kill all dem Filibenos off pefore I could git here."

"Sure an' I saved a couple fer ye, Carl," replied his chum. "Ye'll not
be wantin' fer a scrap, I'll warrant!" And then he related his own and
Ben's adventures, to which the German volunteer listened with much
interest.

The wagon train had brought in the mail, and this included the usual
letters for Ben--one from Walter and the other from Uncle Job Dowling.
Ben breathed a long sigh as he opened the communications.

"I'm going to spring a surprise on you," so wrote Walter. "I've
been reading the newspapers, and it makes me weary to think that I
am just cruising around with our squadron doing nothing, while you
and Larry are right in it, head and heels. I've applied for a
transfer to one of the warships in Manila waters, and it may be
that before this reaches you I will be on the bounding Pacific on
my way to join you and Larry in our fight with Aguinaldo and his
supporters. Si Doring, my old Yankee chum, has applied with me, so
we'll probably come on together, and when we get there you and
Larry will have to look to your laurels, that's all."

"Dear Walter!" murmured Ben, after reading the letter twice. "What
will he say when he hears that Larry is missing? If Larry doesn't show
up, it will break his