mn was
marching at double-quick, and the handsome colonel rode a great gray
horse at the head of the regiment. Archie saw that they would reach the
square in two or three minutes, and, throwing discretion to the winds,
he descended from the roof, almost fell down the stairways in his haste,
and was soon running toward the administration building. He mounted the
great steps leading up to the portico, just as the colonel rode into the
square, and the expression of surprise on the faces of all the men was
funny to see. In a minute every hat was off, and the regiment was
giving "three cheers for the boy reporter," while the colonel, rapidly
dismounting, hurried up to speak with Archie.

"Why, how did you come here?" he demanded. "Haven't the rebels been
here, and how did you escape them? Which way did they go, and was
Aguinaldo with them? For pity's sake, say something."

Archie wasn't long explaining things, and his news was so explicit and
so valuable that the colonel grasped his hand and said, almost with
tears in his eyes, "God bless you, lad. You may have aided us to catch
the gang, and anyhow you've proved your bravery."

By this time the regiment was standing at ease, and all the men were
watching Archie and the colonel with great interest. Knowing that they
were all curious to learn how the lad happened to have escaped the
rebels, the good colonel made a short speech in which he explained
everything. He dwelt particularly upon the bravery of Bill Hickson, and
held him up as a model for all the men to follow. "And now three cheers
for Bill Hickson and our boy reporter again," he cried, when he had
finished, and they were given with a will by all the men.

The regimental officers held a short consultation, and it was decided,
on the strength of the news brought by Archie, to push on after the
rebels as fast as was possible. But it was now sunset, and there was no
use trying to go farther to-night, so it was agreed that the best plan
would be to give the men a good rest overnight, as they had made the
entire march from Manila since five o'clock in the morning. "They will
do all the better to-morrow for the rest," said the colonel. Archie was
valuable in being able to guide the officers to the building where he
had been confined, assuring them that they would find everything needful
there in the way of food, and a place to sleep. Some of the soldiers
were quartered in various houses of the town, for the people had so