The whole affair reminded Archie of some
camp of a section of the famous Coxey army, when he had seen it long
ago. The soldiers were no better dressed than tramps, and there was
but little more discipline among them.
And the celebration and occupation of the town came to a sudden end.
While Archie stood upon the roof at noontime, he saw a runner enter
the administration building in great haste, and in a minute Aguinaldo
came hurrying down the steps. Then there was a great commotion in the
streets, and the two hundred followers of the chief were seen
assembled in the square, and before they were all there the general
was riding out of the town toward the interior of the island. There
was no noise, and the inhabitants stood about apparently speechless,
and wondering what had happened. Their reception had come to an
untimely end, and their hero had left them unceremoniously. Soon the
last of the straggling troops were out of the town, and just as Archie
was beginning to think of going down from the roof Bill Hickson stuck
his head up and gave him some astonishing news. "Stay where you're at,
young feller, till these fool Filipinos gits away from here. You saw
how they skedaddled, didn't ye? Well, Uncle Sam is comin' after 'em
with shot-guns, and old Aggy heard the news just in time. He is bound
for the jungle, about forty miles southeast, and he won't reach it
until to-morrow night, anyhow, and if the officers are quick they may
be able to catch him.
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