CHAPTER II
CLOSE QUARTERS IN THE JUNGLE
"Boys, we leave to-day for Manila."
It was Captain Banner of Gilbert's company who spoke, addressing a dozen or more of his command, who were squatting around a camp-fire built near the shelter of an overhanging cliff. Close to the camp-fire were half a dozen rude shacks which the regulars had erected for comfort while stopping in the neighborhood, they preferring the rude huts to their own torn and dilapidated tents.
"Und how soon vos ve goin' py China, captain?" asked Carl Stummer, a German volunteer who had enlisted in Company A soon after his old friend Gilbert had become lieutenant.
"Just as soon as orders come from headquarters, Stummer. Are you anxious to get on new fighting ground?"
"Vell, captain, I ton't vos barticularly anxious for new fightin' ground; but I vos anxious for ground vot ain't vet a foot deep all der dime," answered
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