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172 "I've no doubt they would. But they'll surrender to nobody until forced to do it. They are as high-minded as ever, if I know anything about it."

"Business must be at a complete standstill. Perhaps the Spanish authorities have confiscated everything at the offices."

"I wonder what has become of Tom Dawson, Matt Gory, and the Starlight? I didn't see anything of the craft while on the Boston, did you?"

"No. She probably lost no time in slipping past Corregidor Island when it was known that a fight was in prospect."

"And what do you suppose has become of Captain Kenny, Watt Brown, and Ah Sid, who were captured?"

"That is for time to tell, if we are ever to know at all."

Wamba came back with the water, into which we stirred some sugar-cane ends to make it more palatable, and we arose to continue our journey.

"What's that?" cried Dan, as the crack of a rifle broke the semitropical stillness. "Some sort of a battle is on, that's certain!"

The single report was followed by several others, and then came two heavy volleys in rapid succession.

"I'll wager it is a fight between the insurgeills and the Spanish outposts!" I cried. "Hark,