ck into the mountains like this."

"It's a wonder they don't try to exchange us."

At this Dan Leroy smiled grimly. "Might be as how they consider us too
vallyble," he suggested. He was a short, stout fellow, much given to
joking, and rarely out of good humor.

It was about the middle of the afternoon, and from a long distance
came the sounds of firing. But the booming came from big field-pieces,
so Larry knew it must be far away, and so it gave him small hope.

The rebels had just brought in some fresh meat, procured from the town
at the foot of the long hill, and they speedily proceeded to make a
beef stew with rice and yams. The smell was appetizing, and as nobody
had had a square meal that day, Larry brightened over the prospect.

The cave in the hillside was irregular in shape, running back to a
series of openings which nobody had ever yet explored. In this cave
the insurgents kept some of their supplies, brought up from San
Fernando, San Isidro, and other places. It was a fact that Aguinaldo
hardly knew where to "jump" next.

Before nightfall the dinner was ready, and the chief of the rebels had
the prisoners supplied with bowls of the stew. "Eat all of eet," he
said, with a grin. "For maybe no geet such t'ings to-morrow."

"Thanks, we'll fill up then," responded Larry, and set to with a will,
as did all the other prisoners.

The captives were unarmed, and though the rebels watched them, they
were allowed more or less of the freedom of the camp. Finishing his
bowl of stew, Larry leaned over to where Leroy sat.

"Leroy, if we can manage to get a kettle of that stew, I'll be for
trying to get away to-night," he whispered.

"And how are ye going to get it, lad?" asked the sailor.

"Wait and you will see," was the answer, and Larry arose and sauntered
over toward the fire.

"I spilt some of the stew on the ground," he said, which was true,
although the amount had not been large. "Can I have more?"

"Yes, take what you will," returned the insurgent chief, who felt in
good humor, through having obtained a leave of absence, to start on
the morning following. "And give some to your friends. We'll fill up
for once."

"Thank you," answered Larry, and hurried to the other prisoners with
the big pot from over the fire. The prisoners had a large tin kettle
for water, fitted with a cover so that bugs might be kept out, and
this he filled to the brim, and also gave the others all they wished.

"Going to eat all