Page:The Campaign of the Jungle.djvu/257

Rh "I reckon so, Leroy, but—but—"

"When ye git as old as I am you'll see things in a different light. We can't complain o' the treatment here, lad."

"But I would like to know how the war is going, and if my brother knows I am alive."

"Reckon the war is goin' agin the Tagals, or they wouldn't be a-pushing back into the mountains like this."

"It's a wonder they don't try to exchange us."

At this Dan Leroy smiled grimly. "Might be as how they consider us too vallyble," he suggested. He was a short, stout fellow, much given to joking, and rarely out of good humor.

It was about the middle of the afternoon, and from a long distance came the sounds of firing. But the booming came from big field-pieces, so Larry knew it must be far away, and so it gave him small hope.

The rebels had just brought in some fresh meat, procured from the town at the foot of the long hill, and they speedily proceeded to make a beef stew with rice and yams. The smell was appetizing, and as nobody had had a square meal that day, Larry brightened over the prospect.