Page:Under MacArthur in Luzon.djvu/59

Rh near the door of the nipa hut, the flooring of which was nothing but smooth mud. Nobody came near him, and he was half inclined to believe that something unusual had turned up and caused the rebels to retreat, leaving him deserted.

At last there was the sound of a caribao cart approaching, the caribaos splashing dismally through the mud and water of the trail. The cart halted close beside the nipa hut, and from under a rubber covering crawled a tall Spaniard wearing the uniform of a Filipino general. The Spaniard was followed by a short and exceedingly stout Tagal boy, carrying some luggage and a brace of old-fashioned army pistols.

"This is the spot, Carlos?" demanded the Spanish officer, of the cart driver.

"The same, general."

"But I see nobody around."

"They were all here last night, general. I saw them with my own eyes."

"Then I will go in and wait. If you see Captain Relosus or any of the others, send them to me at once."

"I will, general."

"Tell them I bring news of great importance," concluded the Spaniard, and then he stepped into the