The column was
marching at double-quick, and the handsome colonel rode a great gray
horse at the head of the regiment. Archie saw that they would reach
the square in two or three minutes, and, throwing discretion to the
winds, he descended from the roof, almost fell down the stairways in
his haste, and was soon running toward the administration building. He
mounted the great steps leading up to the portico, just as the colonel
rode into the square, and the expression of surprise on the faces of
all the men was funny to see. In a minute every hat was off, and the
regiment was giving "three cheers for the boy reporter," while the
colonel, rapidly dismounting, hurried up to speak with Archie.
"Why, how did you come here?" he demanded. "Haven't the rebels been
here, and how did you escape them? Which way did they go, and was
Aguinaldo with them? For pity's sake, say something."
Archie wasn't long explaining things, and his news was so explicit and
so valuable that the colonel grasped his hand and said, almost with
tears in his eyes, "God bless you, lad. You may have aided us to catch
the gang, and anyhow you've proved your bravery."
By this time the regiment was standing at ease, and all the men were
watching Archie and the colonel with great interest. Knowing that they
were all curious to learn how the lad happened to have escaped the
rebels, the good colonel made a short speech in which he explained
everything.
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