The rebels had emptied everything in a
corner, and had evidently intended taking the knapsack with them when
they went; but they left so hurriedly they couldn't possibly think of
everything, and so had left it behind, much to Archie's relief, for he
would have been unable to secure another one anywhere outside Manila.
In a very short time the regiment gathered in the streets immediately
about the square, and soon the men were marching out of the town, much
to the gratification of the residents, who watched them from their
roofs and windows. Archie fell in at the head of the column, and found
no difficulty in keeping up with the soldiers near him, though they
were marching at a rapid rate.
The town limits were soon passed, and they swung into the white
country road, which presented the same scene of desolation which had
been everywhere visible to Archie on his way from Manila. The
farm-houses were nearly all deserted, and there was but little attempt
at cultivating the soil, which would have been productive enough had
it not been overgrown with tangled vines and weeds. And as they went
farther into the country the wilderness increased, until at last the
road itself was filled with growing vines, and the men had difficulty
in walking. Every little while some trooper would fall headlong,
tripped by some vine, and the others would laughingly help him up
before passing on.
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