in any
dangerous undertaking; but Bill Hickson simply blushed and said
he hadn't done "anything worth mentionin'." The men aboard thought
differently, however, and he was even a greater hero after this
adventure than he had been before.

Archie, too, received the congratulations of the admiral. "You have been
a brave boy," he said, "and deserve much credit for showing so little
fear in the face of danger. I hope you will be rewarded upon your return
to New York for your bravery while with us here." Archie, too, blushed,
and said that he had no doubt that Mr. Van Bunting would treat him
fairly when he reached New York again.

And Archie was now beginning to wish that the time for his return would
soon arrive. It was the month of February, and he had been away from
America an age, it seemed to him. He felt that he had seen most of what
there was to be seen in the Philippines, and when this naval tour was
over with, the active campaigning would no doubt cease until the rainy
season was over. So for many reasons the boy wished he might be able to
start home soon, and as the days passed he became more and more anxious
to receive word from the Enterprise that he might return. He had sent
many interesting articles to the paper, and would be able to write many
more just as interesting upon his return, so he felt that the editors
wouldn't object to his early return.

For an entire week the cruiser found no signs of the rebels, but at last
there came a day when they were steaming slowly along near the shore,
and saw, back among the trees, some specks of white resembling tents
in shape. Immediately the whole vessel was excited, and there was much
gossip and wonder as to what the tents could be doing there. The admiral
at last decided to send two boats ashore to investigate, and gave strict
orders that the men should be cautious and not allow themselves to be
ambushed or caught in a trap of any kind. Of course Archie and Bill
Hickson were among the crew of the first boat, and each was as fully
armed as any of the sailors.

The two boats pulled quietly for the shore, keeping close together, and
they were beached at the same time. The natives, or whoever occupied the
tents, had evidently not yet discovered them, and the men halted upon
landing to decide what they had better do. The tents could be plainly
seen through the trees, and there was smoke rising from a fire somewhere
in the neighbourhood, but there were no noises which