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FOLLOWED BY NEGRITOS
105

they have put me in this place, which must be some sort of cave! What will they do next?"

A deep groan from a short distance away reached his ears and caused him to listen intently. Presently the groan was repeated.

"Si! Si!" he called. "Si, is that you?"

At first there was no answer. Then the Yankee's voice was raised in pitiful pleading: "Don't hit me again! Please don't hit me!"

"Si!" continued Walter. "Si! They are not hitting you any more. rouse up!"

Another groan from Si, followed by words Walter could not understand. At last the Yankee lad aroused himself.

"Why—er—what in thunder has happened to me?" he cried. "Oh, my head!"

"Si!"

"Walter! Where are you?"

"Over here, bound hands and feet."

"So am I bound. My, but didn't those villains do us up for keeps?"

"They certainly did."

"What are we to do?"

"I'm sure I don't know. Have you any idea how long it's been since we were made prisoners?"