and now they are bound to drive us out—if they can."
"But they can't," finished Dan. "I'll tell you all, Uncle Sam is bound to stay here. Mark my words and see if I am not right."
Since we had left him, Longley had had natives working at the offices, and each window was barred more heavily than ever, while some of those on the lower floor had been covered entirely.
"You see, I am bound to hold the fort," he smiled grimly. "I don't want to leave this ground. It is in dispute, as you know, and the Spaniards would like nothing better than to take possession. This is the ground mentioned in those documents lost on the Dart."
"I wish I could find the Dart and get the documents and the money back," I answered, somewhat bitterly.
We were a good deal exhausted and partook eagerly of the hot coffee, rice cakes, and other things which Longley set before us. He had stocked up with sufficient provisions to last for a month, and among his stores were two barrels of water.
"You see, the rebels may cut off the water supply from the reservoir," he explained. "If they do, people in Manila will be in a bad shape all around."
