we do next, major?"

"I think we had better be getting back," was the ready answer. "The
sooner we report to the colonel the better he will be pleased."

"I feel like pushing right through to San Isidro, on a hunt for my
brother."

"It would be a foolish movement, captain, for, unless I am greatly
mistaken, the insurgents have a large force in front of us, and to
attempt breaking through would be taking a big risk. Be thankful that
your brother is safe thus far. As long as he remains quiet I don't
think the rebels will harm him."

Ben could not but believe that this was good advice, and he agreed to
do as the major thought best. It was now three o'clock in the morning,
and half an hour later they started, thinking to rejoin their command
before daylight.

It was an exhausting tramp, the more so because Brownell had to be
assisted by one or the other for the entire distance.

"I'm a great drag," sighed the wounded soldier. "Perhaps you had
better push on and let me shift for myself." But the major and the
captain would not hear of this.

They had one little brush with two of the Filipino pickets before
getting into the American lines, but the rebels were young men and not
very courageous and let them slip by without great trouble.

It was Major Morris who made the report to the colonel, taking Ben and
Brownell with him. Colonel Darcy was greatly interested.

"It is, then, as I supposed," he said. "This information will be of
great value to us, Major Morris," and he thanked the major and Ben for
what they had done. Brownell's report was also received with close
consideration by General Lawton himself.

"If the prisoners have been taken to San Isidro, we must try our best
to liberate them," said the general. "I am so glad to learn, though,
that the rebels are not ill-treating them, as I had supposed."

It was Ben, assisted by Casey, who saw Brownell to the hospital and
had the wounded soldier given every attention. When they parted,
Brownell, although now so exhausted that he could scarcely speak,
shook the young captain's hand warmly.

"I hope you find your brother soon," he said. "I can imagine how bad
it makes you feel to know that he is a prisoner."

The advance of General Lawton's command was now directed at Maasin, a
few miles beyond Baliuag. It was led by Colonel Summers, who took with
him some Oregon, Dakota, and Third Infantry troops and a battery of
the Utah Light Artillery, with other troops fol