he described Larry so minutely that Ben felt there could
be no mistake about the matter.

"Is my brother well? How do they treat him? Please tell me the
truth."

"You may not believe it, but we treat our prisoners good," said the
Filipino. "And when I saw your brother last he was very well."

"And where is this prison cave?"

At this the insurgent shrugged his shoulder. "Now, _capitan_, you are
asking me too much. I am pleased to tell you that your brother is
safe. More than that I cannot tell, for it would not be right."

This was not encouraging, yet Ben could not help but admire the
prisoner's loyalty to his cause. "Very well," he said. "I am thankful
to know that my brother is well. I was afraid that prison life might
make him sick."

A little later the young captain got the chance to talk to the Spanish
prisoner, who was making an application for his release, claiming that
he was friendly to the United States and had never encouraged the
rebels. Seldom had the young captain met more of a gentleman than
Senor Romano proved to be.

"Ah, the war is terrible! terrible!" said the senor, after Ben had
introduced himself. "It is bloodshed, bloodshed, all the time. Where
it will end, Heaven alone knows--but I am afraid the Filipinos will be
beaten far worse than was my own country."

"I think you are right there," replied Ben. "But we can't do anything
for them now until they lay down their arms."

"The war has ruined hundreds of planters and merchants,--whole
fortunes have been swept away,--and the insurgents have levied taxes
which are beyond endurance. To some, Aguinaldo is their idol, but to
me he is a base schemer who wants everything, and only for his own
glory. But he cannot hold out much longer,--you are pressing him into
the very mountains,--and once away from the civilization of the towns,
his followers will become nothing but _banditti_--mark me if it is not
so."

"You are a resident of Luzon?" went on Ben.

"Hardly. I belong in Spain--but I have lived here for several years."

"Do you know one Benedicto Lupez, or his brother Jose."

At this question the brow of Senor Romano darkened.

"Do I know them? Ah, yes, I know them only too well. They are rascals,
villains, cheats of the worst order. I trust they are not your
friends."

"Hardly, although I should like first-rate to meet them, and
especially to meet Benedicto."

"And for what? Excuse my curiosity, but what can an American captain
and