Boy Scouts in the Philippines | Page 7

to learn in what portion of the Philippines we are stopping."
"Strange the Major did not inform you as to that," Captain Godwin said.
"I have an idea that he knew very little of our future movements when we landed here," Ned said. "His instructions were unopened, remember, besides being a month or more old."
"I see," observed the Captain. "Well, you are on a little island of the Babuyan group, in the Balintang channel, north of the island of Luzon and southeast of the coast of China and Hong Kong. The transport sailed due west from Honolulu and to the north of Luzon. The nearest station of any size is Pata, on Luzon. The Major left without informing you as to his instructions?"
"Yes, he was in such haste to get away that he left us here without a word of information as to what we were to do. Rotten, don't you think?"
"He was in a hurry to get back to the soft side of military life at Manila," laughed the Captain. "Well, before you investigate the hut it may be well for me to give you some idea as to the situation. What I have to say may give direction to your search of the place."
"Everything is as when the discovery of the absence of the men was made, I hope," Ned said.
"Nothing has been touched," was the reply.
"Then go ahead with your story," Ned replied. "I have come a long way on speculation, and am anxious for something tangible."
"Some months ago," the Captain began, "it was discovered that hostile influences--hostile to the United States Government--were at work among the outer islands of the Philippine group."
"I was told that much."
"Yes; well, investigation--and a crude and indifferent investigation it was--developed the fact that the tribes on some of the islands were forming an alliance against Uncle Sam."
"Now," said Ned, "you have come to the end of my information of the subject. What comes next?"
"At first little attention was given to the matter. Some of the native tribes are always in revolt, though the news of the battles and skirmishes are kept off the wires. Finally, however, it was learned that rifles were being received by the tribes belonging to this alliance."
"Then some nation alleged to be civilized must be at the bottom of the matter," Ned suggested. "I am anxious for you to come to that point."
"Well," hesitated the Captain, "I don't know what nation to suspect. It seems that no one does. I think that is the problem you were brought here to solve."
"It seems to me that the wise men at Washington ought to be able to secure information on the subject," Ned ventured.
"I half believe that the state department does know a lot about the matter," the Captain replied, "but does not see fit to act in the absence of conclusive proof."
"But how can a mess of Boy Scouts get the truth?" demanded Ned.
"By being Boy Scouts," was the smiling reply. "The launch was brought here for your convenience, and you are to go floating about among the islands north of Luzon, hunting, fishing, gathering specimens, and all that until you find out what sort of people it is that is doing this trading with the natives."
"That was the idea in the Canal Zone," laughed Ned, "but we had little hunting to do! It was quick action down there."
"And I hope it will be here," said the Captain. "Military detectives have been sent down here, but have gone back as ignorant as when they came, for the seasoned secret service man shows what his occupation is and betrays himself at the start. Now it is up to you. And you must go ahead without further instructions, for Lieutenant Rowe, who was to have posted you as to recent developments, is either dead or a prisoner in the hands of the plotters!"
CHAPTER III.
THE MIDNIGHT VISITOR.
There was silence on the unsteady porch of the nipa hut for some moments, and then Frank Shaw asked:
"Is there any proof at all that any government is trying to arm the native tribes against the United States?"
"If there is," the Captain replied, "I do not know of it."
"It may be simply a commercial conspiracy," said Jack.
"Go on!" exclaimed Jimmie. "If anybody should ask you about it, it is the Japs, or the Chinks!"
"When a play fails in New York, or a man jumps off one of the East River bridges, if you leave it to Jimmie, the Japs or the Chinks are at the bottom of it."
This from Jack, who ducked low to avoid a blow from the newsboy, and wandered off down the stairs leading to the porch.
"Yes," the Captain said, "it may be a conspiracy for the acquisition of wealth. I am not an anarchist, but it is my belief that there are many