Ben was at once anxious to go along, but this was not yet to be, and he was forced to sit at a window of the hospital and see his regiment march by with colors flying gayly and all "the boys" eager for another contest. The members of his own company gave him a cheer as they passed. "You'll soon be with us again, captain," cried one. "We won't forget you! Hurrah!" and on they marched, with a lieutenant from Company A leading them, and with Gilbert and Major Morris and many old friends with the regiment. Ben watched them out of sight, and heaved a long sigh over the fact that he was not of their number. But there was still plenty of fighting in store for the young captain, and many thrilling and bitter experiences in the bargain. CHAPTER III AN ADVENTURE ON THE PASIG RIVER "Hurrah, Luke! I reckon I am going to see a bit of fighting at last." It was Larry who spoke, as he rushed up to his old friend, Luke Striker, now one of the gun captains on board the _Olympia_. It was the day after the young tar had paid the visit to Ben. "Fighting? where?" demanded the Yankee gunner. "Do you mean to say as how the _Olympia_ is goin' to do some scoutin' alongshore, lad?" "No, the ship is going to remain right where she is. But General Lawton is going to take an expedition up the Pasig River from San Pedro Macati to the Laguna de Bay, and some of the sailors are going along to help manage the cascos and other boats. I just applied for a place, along with Jack Biddle, and we both got in." "And why can't I get in?" returned Luke, eagerly. "This here everlastin' sitting still, doin' nuthin', is jest a-killin' of me." "You might apply, although there are already more volunteers than they want," answered Larry. He told his old friend how to make the necessary application, and soon Luke had joined the expedition; and the three friends hastened ashore and on board a shallow river transport, which was to take them and a number of others up to San Pedro Macati. The brief journey to the latter-named village was without incident. Here Larry found assembled a body of about thirteen hundred soldiers, infantry and cavalry, and with them two hundred picked sharpshooters, and two guns manned by members of the regular artillery. Owing to the sickness of the commanding general, General Lawton took personal charge of the expedition.