Page:Under MacArthur in Luzon.djvu/148

124 "Can't we signal them?"

"That's an idea. I'll fly my shirt to the breeze."

And in a jiffy the Yankee lad had the garment off and was waving it frantically with one hand while holding on to the treetop with the other. But if the signal was seen, no answer came back.

Quarter of an hour passed, and the boys waited in the tree, undecided what to do next. If they tried for the shore, both felt they were more than certain to play directly into the hands of the enemy. And yet to remain quiet was maddening.

"Let us go down and move forward, but with every possible caution," was Walter's advice. "If we remain here, we'll surely be left, and I must have something to eat sooner or later."

Si donned his shirt, and they climbed to the ground. They had the location of the bay now well in mind and took as direct a path as the growth of the jungle afforded.

It was a clear day and exceedingly hot, and their exertions soon put both in a dripping perspiration. Yet they pressed on, only stopping at a tiny stream to obtain a drink and wet their throbbing heads.

At last the jungle was passed, and they came