Page:Under MacArthur in Luzon.djvu/342

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310
UNDER MacARTHUR IN LUZON

did not repay her debt to him. Before she went away she presented the young major with an elegant diamond scarfpin, which Ben wears to this day and of which he is properly proud. She said that as soon as the war was at an end she intended to open up the mines left by her father, forming a stock company, after American ideas. "And I shall present all of you Russells with shares," she concluded.

Although kept fairly busy, Ben did not forget poor Lieutenant Gilmore, and frequently visited the officer, who was in a hospital at Corregidor Island—a place set apart especially for convalescents. Gilmore was doing as well as could be expected, and he went back to the regiment on the day that the young major left the service. He is now captain of Company D, and with him are several others of our old friends, who had been wounded but who recovered sooner or later.

During those days spent in the capital of Luzon, Ben received letters from Gilbert and Major Morris, which pleased him greatly. The American troops had joined what was called the International Army, or Allies, and after many fights with the Boxers and rebellious Chinese government soldiers, had forced their way to Pekin, rescued the Americans and others