Page:Under MacArthur in Luzon.djvu/228

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UNDER MacARTHUR IN LUZON

By this time all the prisoners were aroused, and they called to be released. But the Filipinos gathered in front of them, and a volley was fired at our friends and the two who had had their bonds cut. The volley had scarce died away, when Walter felt a dull pain in his thigh. Putting down his hand, he brought it up covered with blood.

"I—I am shot!" he gasped.

"Shot?" repeated Si. "Oh, Walter! Is it bad?"

"It's in the leg—I don't know how bad. I've got to retreat." And then Walter backed away into the jungle behind the rocks, limping painfully, and thinking that every step must be his last.

"You're a brave boy, right enough," cried a voice into his ear, and before Walter could answer he found himself raised up bodily and borne along he knew not to where. His head began to swim, and presently he went into a dreamy state bordering upon unconsciousness. He felt the bushes scratch his face and hands, and felt the warm blood flowing down his trousers leg to his foot. He tried to rouse himself, but could not, and in a