Page:Under MacArthur in Luzon.djvu/64

44 none. The Americanos—" General Lupez broke off short. "Ah, Capitan Relosus, here at last. I was wanting to see you."

"There is no time now!" burst out the captain of the sharpshooters, speaking in the Tagalog dialect. "The Americanos are in the jungle below, and pressing forward with all speed. We must retreat!"

"The enemy! A large number?"

"My men counted a regiment at least, and more to the southward. We cannot hold this ground; it is too open. We must retreat to Cainta, and possibly to Taytay."

The captain of the sharpshooters showed that he was much aroused. He had been followed by several of his men, and one of these now liberated Ben from the corner post of the hut.

"You must go with us," said Captain Relosus. "And go quickly and without resistance, unless you wish to be shot."

No more was said, and in a moment more Ben found himself outside. The rain had ceased, but the air was full of moisture and the trail all but impassable. At a distance there was steady firing, showing that a lively skirmish was on.