were all in one
division. And this division, of course, had been vanquished four days
previously.

When the report of the engagement went the rounds there was much
enthusiasm, for it was felt that at last some progress was being made
against the insurgents. The admiral was a popular hero at once, and
Archie, with Bill Hickson, was again the centre of admiration and
interest in the old palace, where they both returned.

Archie was surprised to find no mail awaiting him, but he was not
discouraged, and wrote two long articles to send to the Enterprise. One
described the great engagement, and the other was descriptive of the
daily life aboard ship upon the return to Manila. These articles, with
the others he had written during the latter part of the cruise, were
sent off at once, and Archie felt confident that they would be read
with great interest by Mr. Van Bunting. And now the days passed very
pleasantly in Manila. He had a great deal to tell his comrades in the
old regiment, for none of them had been out of Manila since he left,
and were very anxious indeed to hear about the events of the
round-the-island tour. And Archie was very willing to tell them all he
could, for he had been much interested in the entire voyage, and never
tired of talking about it.

Still, while things were very pleasant, and he was having a good time in
many ways, Archie was very anxious to see New York again and to get back
to America. And then, what was even more important with him, was the
knowledge that he would certainly be allowed to visit his mother upon
his return. Therefore he was a very happy boy when he one day received
two letters from the Enterprise office, one from Mr. Van Bunting,
and one from Mr. Jennings. They were both very encouraging and very
friendly. Mr. Van Bunting wrote to tell Archie how delighted they all
had been with his success in finding interesting things to write about,
and he enclosed a check for three hundred dollars, which he thought
"would come in handy now." The letter from Mr. Jennings was of later
date, and stated that he had prevailed upon Mr. Van Bunting to allow
Archie to return to New York, to work upon the Evening Enterprise. It
was a very delightful letter, Archie thought. "We believe," wrote Mr.
Jennings, "that we can use you here to very good advantage, and we will
be glad to have you return as soon as possible. I enclose two hundred
dollars to pay your expenses home again."

So now it was all