Page:Under MacArthur in Luzon.djvu/225



there was no moon, the night was clear, the storm having departed several hours before. At the sharp rock there was but a single tree, so that the shadows here were not so thick as at the locality where the Americans were held prisoners.

Slowly, and with extreme caution, Walter advanced step by step until he was within two yards of the sleeping Tagal, who snored and groaned lustily in his heavy slumber. The fire had been allowed to die down, and the man's form could be seen but indistinctly. There was a glint on the gun barrel, and toward this the young sailor made his way.

Four steps more and he had the weapon in his possession. It was a Mauser of recent type, and loaded. Looking down at the sleeping rebel, he saw that the fellow wore a belt half filled with cartridges.

"If I could only get that belt," thought the youth; but he dared not undertake the task, since the