as secured. Of course there were many disappointed
ones left aboard the cruiser, but the captain assured them that they
might have their chance yet.

The boat was soon off, and it was noticed that there was great
excitement ashore as soon as the departure was observed. All the
inhabitants, it seemed, were gathered upon the beach, anxiously awaiting
developments. They seemed to be absolutely ignorant of what the presence
of a war-ship in their harbour meant, and were apparently not at all
anxious as to the outcome of this visit. One of the men told Archie that
they had probably never seen a war-ship before, and that they wouldn't
know a cannon at all. "But we'll let them know the meaning of our
presence," declared the sailor, "if they shoot at us." The boat drew
every minute nearer the shore, and it was soon perceived that there
were many soldiers among the crowd on the beach. Every one thought it
remarkable that they should be so quiet, but not one of the natives made
a move until the boat was within two hundred feet of the shore. Then one
of the rebel soldiers suddenly raised his rifle and fired at the boat.
The lieutenant in command stood up in the boat and gave the order to
return the fire, and a perfect volley of shot was poured into the crowd,
which immediately scattered in every direction. The rebel soldiers,
however, seemed determined to stand their ground, and they were so
numerous, and kept up such a steady fire, that it was deemed best to
return to the cruiser, which was signalling for this action on their
part. So the boat was turned about as quickly as possible, and
the sailors pulled for the cruiser, amid the derisive yells of the
Filipinos, who had gathered again upon the beach. The rebel soldiers
continued their firing, but were such poor marksmen that but three of
their shots took effect. One sailor was shot in the arm, another in the
side, and still another was shot in the leg as he stood up to take aim
at the rebels. None of these wounds, it was afterward discovered, were
at all serious, though they were enough to arouse the anger of the
entire crew.

When the boat reached the cruiser again, preparations were at once begun
for bombarding the town. The natives still stood upon the shore, and it
could be seen that they were immensely proud of their present victory.
It was amusing, then, to see the change in their behaviour when the
great six-inch gun of the cruiser belched forth a cloud of fire and
smo