The course taken was through a narrow and exceedingly dirty street. It was after midnight, yet the expected attack of the Americans had kept all the inhabitants awake. The prisoners were jeered at repeatedly, and at one point were covered with a shower of mud and stale vegetables. The onslaught might have been more serious had not the soldiers interfered. "Get back, you dogs," shouted the leader, a little Tagal scarcely five feet in height, but with an air of magnificent importance. "These men are to go before the general, and at once!" And much abashed the natives fell back, and the prisoners were molested no further. It would naturally be supposed that the general in command would be found at the front at such a time, when an attack on the city was but a matter of a few hours. Instead, however, General Bamodo was found at one of the government buildings, calmly smoking a cigar, and conversing with several native business men. "Spies, eh?" he queried, when the guard had told him about the prisoners. "Bring them in immediately." Larry and Luke were told to enter the room, and did so, their still wet clothing forming little puddles at their feet. The guards stood beside and behind them. General Bamodo eyed them critically. He spoke no English, and so called in an interpreter. "Where are you from?" demanded the interpreter, presently, after a few words with his superior. "We are from the warship _Olympia_," answered Luke, briefly. "You were sent here by General Otis as spies, not so?" "No, sir, we are jest plain, everyday sailors." "Then what brought you here?" demanded the interpreter, after translating their words to General Bamodo. "We missed our way on the road," put in Larry, before Luke could answer. He thought it best not to say anything about accompanying General Lawton's expedition. "You must have missed it very much, General Bamodo says," growled the interpreter, after another consultation with his superior. "Santa Cruz is a good many miles from Manila harbor." To this Larry remained silent, and another talk in Spanish followed. Then a sudden shot from a distance caused General Bamodo to leap to his feet and dash down his cigar. "Take them to the prison--I will examine them later on," he said, in Spanish, and hurried away. A few minutes later Larry and his Yankee friend were marched off, this time to a stone building several squares away. Here they were taken inside, thrust into a cell, the iron-barred door was locked upon them, and they were left to their fate. CHAPTER VI IN WHICH LUKE STRIKER IS WOUNDED The plan to surprise Santa Cruz had failed, yet General Lawton's command was just as eager as ever to press forward and do battle with the native garrison, of which the town on the Laguna de Bay boasted. It was thought the Filipino command could not be a strong one, and even if it had been the Americans would have gone ahead just the same, so accustomed were they to victory over their misguided foes.