Although the midshipmen and their men would have liked nothing better than to follow Captain Blynn’s example for a few hours’ nap, they felt that the startling news that the entire rebel army was collecting upon Matiginao made it imperative for them to leave the situation at the Rodriguez ranch in the hands of Captain Blynn and return to their gunboat. So far their work had not been crowned with success. True, they had exposed a traitor, but in doing so the American soldiers had acquired a new and sagacious enemy in Espinosa. The remaining members of the Katipunan society had taken flight, and had fled before the vengeance of Captain Blynn whom they all hated and feared. Rodriguez had been killed, and enough gold to continue the war indefinitely had been taken almost before their eyes, and they had been powerless to prevent it. This was not a pleasant retrospective dream in which to indulge as they watched in silence the even breathing of the complacent army man. “We seem so powerless against them,” Sydney complained. “Our enemies are everywhere. One moment the natives about us seem friendly, and the next they are sticking us in the back with knives. When we start on an expedition the enemy know just how many men we have and where we are going, so there can be no surprise, while they always take us unawares.” “But now, it’s different since Espinosa and the Katipunans have been forced to leave Palilo,” Phil exclaimed. “In the last few days Captain Blynn says our soldiers in the provinces have surprised several bands of insurgents. So you see they have ceased to be kept posted by spies at headquarters. “Espinosa is collecting all his men in Matiginao with the idea of safety and a hope of being able to capture Palilo before the two extra regiments arrive, but General Wilson will checkmate him by withdrawing half his men to surround him in his mountain stronghold. Now we have some chance; before, they simply knew when we were coming, and if they couldn’t meet us with three times our number they kept out of the way. But come,” he added suddenly jumping to his feet, “we are wasting time.” The Americans returned down the river in their cutter, this time the midshipmen taking turns at the oars, and it was nearly eight o’clock before they stood once more on the deck of the “Mindinao.” The bodies of the dead sailors were sent at once to the army hospital for burial. “Major Marble has been here twice to see you, sir,” the quartermaster informed Phil; “he said he’d return again in an hour.” “Breakfast first,” Phil shouted to the Chinese steward, who came aft, smiling blandly at the return of his officers, steaming coffee in hand. While they were still at table Major Marble arrived, and was told all the news of the river.