Page:The Campaign of the Jungle.djvu/62

44 and clutched his pistol. "I wonder if we can't get away from them by climbing a tree."

"We can—if they ain't a-followin' the trail putty close," answered his companion.

They began to search around for a tree, and in doing so came to several large rocks, much overgrown with trailing vines. There was an opening between two of the rocks, and Luke slipped into this, hauling Larry after him.

"Jest as good as a tree, an' mebbe better," he whispered, as he rearranged the vines over the opening.

The hiding-place was not a large one, and Larry felt very much like a sardine in a box as he crouched close to his Yankee friend. The vines covered the opening completely, yet they remained on guard, each with his finger on the trigger of his weapon, resolved, if the worst came to the worst, to fight the best they knew how before surrendering.

The Filipinos were evidently puzzled, for they had come to a halt and made not the slightest noise. Possibly they were listening for some sound from those they were pursuing, but if so, none came, for Luke clapped his hand warningly over