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"You're one of five wounded in to-night's performance, and two of our finest men are dead." Corporal Duxbridge covered his face with his hands. "I was a big fool," he confessed brokenly. There were no more attacks that night, but in the morning the Moros developed a new style of trouble.
"That infernal blackmailer, Tip Scammon!" flared Fred indignantly. In the courage of desperation Fred promptly decided that he would ignore the Scammon rascal. Nor did Fred change his mind. Besides, this afternoon he was due at Duxbridge for his first lesson under the mighty Everett. So Tip was on hand at the drug store beside the post office, but no Fred came.
"I'll vouch for you, Señor Davo, to our commanding officer." Protesting his undying gratitude, Davo went below for his men, and brought them inside the lines, a sorry looking lot of fellows who at once threw themselves down as if to sleep. "You'll notify Sergeant Overton, of course?" suggested the soldier who had first halted Davo. "You mind your business, Strong," Corporal Duxbridge rebuked him.
"How did Corporal Duxbridge ever happen to do a thing like that?" demanded Freeman angrily. "Tomba had already made the Corporal's acquaintance, sir. Tomba wanted to make mine, and Terry's, as soon as he knew the Thirty-fourth was coming to these southern islands.
"Well, yes, Fred, if you're sure you can make yourself the star pitcher of the school nine, I will." "When may I go to see Everett, sir?" asked Fred, making no effort to conceal the great joy this promise had given him. "Since you're to be engaged for this afternoon, Fred, we'll make it to-morrow. I'll order out the car and go over to Duxbridge with you.".
Then catching the appealing look in his son's face, the elder Ripley agreed to the terms. The training was to be given at Duxbridge, in Everett's big and almost empty barn. That night Lawyer Ripley, a man of prompt habit in business, mailed his check for the entire amount. Fred, in the privacy of his own room, danced several brief but exuberant jigs. "Now, I've got you, Dick Prescott!
"Just taken up above with the wounded, sir," replied Lieutenant Holmes. "Corporal Duxbridge was hit, sir." "Let us go up to see him. Where are the six natives?" "Tied, sir, and up with the wounded." Corporal Duxbridge, when the commanding officer visited him, felt sheepish enough, despite the great pain he was in.
"Well, Ripley, who trained you?" asked a member of the Athletics Committee. Fred bit his lip, but Dick broke in quietly: "I can tell. Perhaps a little confession will be good for us all around. Ripley was trained by Everett over at Duxbridge. I found out that much, weeks ago."
He now readily explained how Tomba, under the assumed name of Davo, had made his acquaintance in Bantoc. Tomba had spent money so freely in entertaining him that Duxbridge had been certain that the man must be a wealthy, good-natured Tagalo. "I hope you've learned a lesson, Corporal," said Captain Freeman sadly.
On the side of camp where the commanding officer thought the enemy most numerous, Hal placed Corporal Duxbridge in charge. "Don't close your eyes to-night, Corporal," warned the young sergeant. "You can get your sleep in the daytime. This is the point where the greatest vigilance is needed.
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