ely end, and their
hero had left them unceremoniously. Soon the last of the straggling
troops were out of the town, and just as Archie was beginning to think
of going down from the roof Bill Hickson stuck his head up and gave him
some astonishing news. "Stay where you're at, young feller, till these
fool Filipinos gits away from here. You saw how they skedaddled, didn't
ye? Well, Uncle Sam is comin' after 'em with shot-guns, and old Aggy
heard the news just in time. He is bound for the jungle, about forty
miles southeast, and he won't reach it until to-morrow night, anyhow,
and if the officers are quick they may be able to catch him. Now you
stay here, lad, and give 'em the news when they git here. They'll
thank you for it, and you may be the means of gittin' this fool of an
Aguinaldo captured. If you does, why, your future's all right. And ye
can tell the colonel, or whoever's in command, that Bill Hickson is
still with 'em, and that he's doin' his best fer Uncle Sam, and tell 'em
that Aggy has got about three thousand troops altogether, but only about
a thousand with him. Now, good-bye, lad, and I hope I'll see ye again."

And Archie saw brave Bill Hickson get down from the roof. He brushed
some tears from his eyes as he realised that here was a brave soldier
doing good work for his country. A moment later he saw him running
across the square with four of the Filipinos, and waving his hat to
the "youngster" as he went. He followed him with his eyes as long as
he could, and then he sat down and made a solemn vow that Bill Hickson
should be named among the heroes of the war.

CHAPTER XVII.

ARRIVAL OF THE AMERICAN TROOPS--ARCHIE THE HERO OF THE REGIMENT.

ARCHIE descended from the roof, and found everything below in a state of
wild disorder. The fleeing rebels had taken with them all they had time
to get together, but in their haste they had left behind many of their
most useful belongings. In a cupboard of the dining-room Archie found a
supply of food and wines sufficient to feed several people for a week,
so he supposed that it had been the intention of the occupants of the
house to remain for some days. The news that the Americans were coming
upset all their plans, however, and now, as often before, they were
obliged to flee before them, leaving behind most of their creature
comforts in the way of food and furniture.

"What a life they must be leading," thought Archie to himself, "going
from one place to