er for his kindness, and hurried
back to Manila. He found Bill Hickson waiting for him at the wharf, and
they rejoiced together over the good news.

CHAPTER XX.

AROUND THE ISLAND ON A WAR-SHIP--BOMBARDING A FILIPINO TOWN.

IT was early one morning that Bill Hickson and Archie went aboard the
flag-ship, but all hands were on duty there, and the gallant cruiser was
raising anchor preparatory to sailing off on her errand of pacification
by means of shell and shot, The two newcomers were assigned a pleasant
stateroom where they would not be far from the cabin of the admiral
himself, and where they could step out of their door upon the
quarter-deck, and get all the fresh air they needed. It was a very
comfortable place, with two soft bunks, and every convenience usually
found aboard the fastest ocean liner. When the fellows saw it first,
they could hardly believe it could all be for them, but the officer
assured them that it had been given them by the admiral's own orders. So
there was nothing for them to do but accept the kindness, and to settle
themselves down to having just as pleasant a time as possible during the
coming weeks at sea.

It was generally understood that the cruiser was to make a complete tour
around the island of Luzon, investigating every suspicious port, and
shelling towns when such action proved necessary to convince the rebels
of Uncle Sam's superiority. The voyage was expected to occupy nearly a
month, for there was no reason for them to hurry, and the admiral said
he would like to take things easy.

Neither Hickson nor Archie had ever before been aboard a war-ship, and
they both found much to interest them during the first few days at
sea. Every movement of the crew, every action of the ship, was of great
moment to them, and they found no lack of entertainment in examining the
great guns and the equipment of the vessel in the way of firearms
and ammunition. Archie became much interested, too, in the science of
navigation, and spent much time with the captain on the bridge, or with
the pilot in the lookout, learning as much as possible about how the
movement of the vessel is controlled. Before long he had mastered the
rudiments of the art, and the captain told him that he might some day
make an excellent navigator if he continued to take as much interest in
the charts as he did now. And Archie told him that he was determined to
master as much as possible of the business during the voyage.