señor, after Ben had introduced himself. "It is bloodshed, bloodshed, all the time. Where it will end. Heaven alone knows—but I am afraid the Filipinos will be beaten far worse than was my own country."
"I think you are right there," replied Ben. "But we can't do anything for them now until they lay down their arms."
"The war has ruined hundreds of planters and merchants,—whole fortunes have been swept away,—and the insurgents have levied taxes which are beyond endurance. To some, Aguinaldo is their idol, but to me he is a base schemer who wants everything, and only for his own glory. But he cannot hold out much longer,—you are pressing him into the very mountains,—and once away from the civilization of the towns, his followers will become nothing but banditti—mark me if it is not so."
"You are a resident of Luzon?" went on Ben.
"Hardly. I belong in Spain—but I have lived here for several years."
"Do you know one Benedicto Lupez, or his brother José."
At this question the brow of Señor Romano darkened.
