Page:The Campaign of the Jungle.djvu/239

Rh On Saturday, May the 6th, Ben's command moved forward again, down the hill into Maasin, now patrolled by Americans, and then to the main road beyond.

"I don't believe we are in for much of a fight today," remarked the young captain to Gilmore, who had now been appointed first lieutenant.

"I reckon you are right," answered Gilmore. "The scouts haven't found any rebels within a mile."

"It would almost seem as if we could march straight through to San Isidro," went on Ben, thoughtfully. "I must say I never heard of such a campaign."

"They say General Lawton puts it down as a regular Indian campaign. But then the rebels don't do much fighting in the dark."

"They are sick of it, Gilmore. I believe they would give up in a minute if the leaders were only assured that they would come out whole, as the saying goes."

"Well, they've gone too far to come out whole, captain. General Aguinaldo may mean well, but he never went at this thing right. He ought to know that he isn't dealing with some third-rate power."

On went the regiment, about four hundred and