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Rh first and then arrange our plans," I suggested, and this was speedily agreed to, for there was no telling what might happen before we came in sight of the capital city of Luzon.

From a distance came a constant firing, which told us that the rebels and the Spaniards were having a full-fledged fight. But presently, as we moved along, this died away in the distance.

Pony riding just suited Dan and me, but it went hard with Matt Gory, who had never ridden before. "Sure, an' the hard saddle will be afther cuttin' me in two," he groaned. "An' the baste prances so he'll have me insoides turned out before we come to a halt this avenin'!"

"Move with the pony," I suggested, and gave him a practical illustration, but he was not cut out for saddle riding and made a sorry figure even when doing his best.

It had threatened a shower and soon it was raining in torrents. We kept to the road for half an hour longer, when it grew so deep with water and mud that we had to draw off to one side.

"I see a shelter beyond," said Dan, pointing it out. "And not a soul is in sight. Come on," and he led the way.

It was an open shelter, built of long poles thatched with palm. There had been a house