Page:The Campaign of the Jungle.djvu/111

Rh which fell arose in clouds of steam on the road, rendering marching anything but comfortable.

"Sure, an' it makes a man feel as if he, was takin' a stame bath, so it does," remarked Dan Casey, as he swung along on the route step. "I don't know as I iver see it rain hot wather before, bedad," he added, as he wiped the perspiration from his sadly freckled face.

During the day's march, which was trying to everybody, Ben was silent, wondering what had become of Larry and if he would ever again see his younger brother. When the command went into camp under the shelter of a grove of tall trees, both Gilbert and Major Morris visited his tent to comfort him.

"He is not the only one who is missing," remarked the major of the first battalion. "So far I understand the warships have lost about a dozen men who went ashore and failed to return. And you know there are six men missing from our own regiment."

"That is true, major," was the acting captain's answer. "But it's only when it's a close relative that the blow really comes home to one, you know."

"I suppose that is true, captain. But don't be