rce had been captured, and the night was spent in a
celebration of the great event. A band was scraped up in the town, the
great hall of the administration building was thrown open, and there was
dancing and music until an early hour in the morning. All the belles of
the town turned out to welcome the soldiers, hypocrites that they were,
and they danced with their enemies as readily as they would waltz with
their own dear Filipinos. Every one seemed to have a good time, and
the soldiers went to bed just in time to get three hours' sleep before
starting for Manila in the morning.

It was a great sight to see the two regiments, with the prisoners, march
out of the town at five the next morning. They made a fine appearance in
their well-brushed uniforms and bright equipment. The townsfolk watched
them out of sight, and then most likely cursed them for a lot of
vagabonds, but the soldiers didn't mind their curses. They were all very
happy at the prospect of getting back to Manila again, and no one was
more glad than Archie. He had somewhat recovered from his wound now, and
rode in his old place at the head of the column, where he was the centre
of interest to every one. The men congratulated him on having proved
such an excellent mascot, and he laughed and talked with them until he
was tired.

The outskirts of the city were reached about five in the afternoon,
and as they marched through the streets to headquarters a band of music
preceded them, playing popular and patriotic airs. The sidewalks were
crowded with people, and Archie felt happier than for a long time,
because every one was curious to know who that boy could be riding at
the head of the troops, alongside the colonel. He was known to most of
the other troops in Manila, and received many a cheer from them as they
saw his arm in a sling, and when they finally reached the general's
headquarters, he was honoured with a handshake and the congratulations
of the commander himself. This was the climax to a very happy day, and
Archie went to bed in his little old bunk feeling that he was a very
lucky boy for having been wounded in battle.

Of course the next few days were very busy ones for all the men, and
for Archie, too. He was obliged to tell, over and over, the story of his
experiences, and how he had managed to escape from the rebels when
they had him. This story always made the men roar with laughter, and
increased their already strong contempt for the Filipino