176 Muddy Waterhole

Outright when Baldur was sure whether or not its Henry's team or not so he called them all in a low tone voice.

" Henry! its me, Baldur!"

" Hey! Baldur, its good to see you but there's maybe some groups on the other side, at northeast, see the influx of the Japs' soldiers out there, I guess they add up more headache in our jurisdiction." Henry smiled and whispered.

" It's the Lieutenant, he's just on his feet in order to disturb the attention of the soldiers. So we better wait on a safer place behind that bush as we can't wait him here in an open field. Everyone, let's move on." Baldur whispered.

They then reached the jungle entrance safely and just waited for the lieutenant to return. Momentarily, there was silence again but after the ticking of time rolled up so fast, they've heard a noise nearing them. It's him, running with mud and dirt on his entire uniform.

" Dear....holy ghost! Brother....wh....what happened to you?" Baldur immediately asked him.

" Gracious! they seemingly felt I was alone so they spread in a speed of light just to catch me but I dipped myself in the carabao's muddy pool and they thought I've escaped elsewhere but just beside them, hiding underneath. So, here I come." George smiled where only his teeth and eyes looks human, the rest looks like a mud entity.

Right there and then, everyone quickly moved and started their walk while Baldur helped in carrying one of the sacks. When they reached a small spring, everybody rested as the moon moved to the west. So everyone turned away their heads against the lieutenant; who, then excitingly removed his uniform and bathe. It was too cold but he enjoyed the sprinkling water overhead coming from the mountain. One of the guerillas unintentionally saw him from confidently bathing, as if nobody''s around.

" Sir, why do a military man can take a bath anywhere and it seems common to all of you." A guerrilla curiously whispered to Baldur's ear.

" Ah? haha! its part of the training, it's how we lived and acts quickly, otherwise, you will be left while your comrades had a short dip then fine and go back for work. So...that's voyeurism you're doing, you know, aha! just kidding!" Baldur smiled and patted the guerrilla's shoulder.

Briefly, the lieutenant was done and borrowed Baldur's things then worn them.

" Brother, how are you now?"

" I'm fine and feels human again, haha. It's a nice experience, never tried it back to Wisconsin. Indeed Baldur, swimming in a swamp and in a carabao's muddy waterhole is totally different. Something that I can't forget." George uttered while washing his uniforms.

" Yes, I'll record that in our journal with complete series of description, haha!"

" What the...haha! Be sure you cannot influence the rest to get excited to dip themselves there too." George laughed as they continued their walk, trudging the valley going to Isagani's clan.

Upon reaching at the edge of the cliff, mostly moved backward and reasoned out of being tired from walk, though it's really the dangerous cliff. George and Baldur just wink an eye on them resting - and they both slid down to get inside the cave. Momentarily, Isagani's clan were surprised on why they didn't call the insiders first. The old man Bonifacio was really worried.

" Grateful that you're better, sometimes the opening hole's slippery and honestly, some of our family members died out there. The rope needs a lift and pull. Anyway, good to see you back but its already morning and doubly difficult to travel in group by par. I suggest you all stay and get rested till twilight." The old man said.

" Hmm, you're right, Sir. My men needs some rest too, so we'll roll over on your abaca braided threads, they look new to me and seems interesting." George smirked.

"Ah, that bigger one...it's done out of weaving. The war had taught us on how to weave too and it's truly exciting."

" Wow! here's an amazing ingenuity. I wanna try to fall asleep in here." George whispered to Baldur while yawning.

" Good you feel of sleeping, you need it more than you know, bro." Baldur seriously said but before he noticed his eyes were closed already. Later in a minute, Baldur just smirked and turned his head to the old man.

" He's dipping in his dreams right now. He deserves this kingly rest." Albrecht intervened.

The old mam smiled; invited Baldur and Albrecht to come with him and showed them something while they sat down on a wooden long chair.

" Have a look on this...several posts were filled in with armed men and more weaponry installed in different stations in the opposite borders of Makasido and Kabang. This Daba newspaper's the latest movement of this war and tells us that you all need to vacate out of Kabang the soonest time." Bonifacio rolled the newspaper with calloused hand and looked to Isagani and Albrecht since Baldur was already sleeping while leaning his back on the wall.

" Hmm...this means we only have a little time to vacate, they may possibly get back and use our hideout. But how soon would this be possible?" Albrecht pressed his head but stunned to the two shadows getting inside the hole.

" Shh, that's Miguel ( Isagani's cousin) and who's that ..." The old man paused for a while.

" Henry...Henry, Sir, it's my name."

" Ah, I see...where have you been?" Bonifacio asked.

" I sought help to Miguel for the sacks of rice. He'd helped me arranged with; and covered the latter with too many caladium leaves. Those leaves seem waxy and shamelessly harvested 30 leaves to safely cover the sacks of rice. Hope it works." Henry smiled and patted Miguel's shoulder as a simple form of gratitude.

" Hmm...the patrollers will be passing above us by 12 midnight. I usually hear them pass by within that time. But hey, good you used the caladium leaves, its waxy and it could really cover well. Anyway, George had mentioned before he's asleep that you'll depart by 2:00 am, the sacks of rice will just be there for 4-5 hrs, so what are you waiting for? you may take your rest now too." The old man said.