Page:The Campaign of the Jungle.djvu/29

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THE SITUATION AT MALOLOS.
11

idea of the real power of Uncle Sam. I believe if they did know, they would submit without another encounter."

"It would be best if they did, Larry, for now that we are in this fight we are bound to make them yield. Once they throw down their arms, I feel certain our country will do what is fair and honest by them."

"It's the leaders who are urging the ignorant common people on—I've heard more than one of the officers say so. The leaders are well educated and crafty, and they can make the masses believe almost anything. Why, just before I came away from Manila I saw a dozen or more Igorottes brought in—tall, strapping fellows, but as ignorant as so many children. They seemed to be dazed when their wounds were cared for and they were offered food. The interpreter said they thought they would be massacred on the spot by the blood-thirsty Americanos, and they had a lurking suspicion that they were being cared for just so they could be sold into slavery."

At this juncture a tall, thoroughly browned soldier came in, wearing the uniform of a first lieutenant.