Before he
returned to Manila he knew more about it all than even the captain would
believe he knew, and the knowledge was very valuable to him in days to
come.

The two visitors aboard took their meals at the officers' table, and
they kept the whole party interested for many days, with their stories
of the war in Luzon and of their very unusual adventures both at home
and in the Philippines. For it turned out that Bill Hickson had visited
almost every part of the United States, and had lived in all sorts of
places. He had been a cowboy in Texas, and a miner in the Klondike, and
he had also been a policeman in Chicago. He knew more stories to tell
than any other man at the table could think of, and he told them in a
way that was wholly charming.

Archie found that every one was very much interested in hearing about
his leaving home, and how he had happened to become a reporter on the
New York Enterprise. No one seemed to tire of listening to his stories
of his adventures in the great American city, and many of the officers
told him that they would give a good deal to have had his experiences in
life.

And so it wasn't long until the two chums were friendly with all on
board, and after awhile things went along as though Archie and Bill had
never lived elsewhere than aboard ship. There was nothing exciting for
nearly a week. The cruiser steamed slowly along the shore, sometimes
stopping entirely, while the officers levelled their glasses upon the
beach, to see whether there were any signs of the rebels being there.
Sometimes, if things looked suspicious, parties were sent ashore to
reconnoitre, but they seldom returned with news that would encourage
the admiral to investigate further. The days passed quietly, and the
two convalescents enjoyed themselves well enough. They were both much
improved already by the trip, and felt almost as well as ever. They
each had a steamer chair, and hour after hour they sat upon the deck and
watched the ever-changing panorama of the tropical shore. Now the beach
would descend slowly to the sea, and there would be numerous palm-trees
and luxuriant vegetation growing close within view, but again there
would be steep clips, which looked menacing to a ship in the dark. But
it was all beautiful, cliffs or sandy beach, and Archie thought he had
seldom passed such a wholly delightful week.

But, of course, it all became monotonous in time, and every one, even
the officers, longed for a chang