From his high perch he looked down into the streets, and was surprised
to find them as quiet and as much deserted as they had been the night
before. The news of the coming of the Americans had been effective in
quieting the enthusiasm of the morning, and all the townsfolk had
again entered their homes and put the shutters up before their
windows. One would have taken the place for a deserted village,
judging from appearances. But Archie knew that within the shuttered
windows and barred doors there were hundreds of people waiting
anxiously for the arrival of the American troops, and making ready to
come out, when required to do so, and again declare their allegiance
to the stars and stripes. The cowardly wretches were diplomatic enough
to be always on the side of the victorious. When the rebels occupied
the town they were loyal to them, and when the Americans came, as they
often did, they came out into the square and cheered loudly for Uncle
Sam. But of course the Americans knew very well that their sympathies
were with the rebels, and the rebels knew it, too, or they would never
have dared to venture so near Manila.
About five in the afternoon, there was a sound of many men marching
along the road, and in a little while Archie was able to see the
Americans coming down the street. It was a sight to cheer his heart
after all his experiences of the last day and night.
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