The officers again occupied the old building which they had used
during their former stay, and Archie was invited to share it with
them, for they expected to rest in this town over the next day, before
proceeding to Manila. The men's uniforms and equipment generally
needed cleaning and repairing, and the colonel was anxious for them
all to appear as well as possible when they returned victorious to the
island capital. So the next day was spent in cleaning and washing, and
by evening most of the soldiers looked as if they had never left
Manila. Then came a surprise for every one, for into the town marched
a regiment of militia from Manila, sent out to see whether the first
regiment needed reinforcements. They set up a great cheer when they
learned that most of the rebel force had been captured, and the night
was spent in a celebration of the great event. A band was scraped up
in the town, the great hall of the administration building was thrown
open, and there was dancing and music until an early hour in the
morning. All the belles of the town turned out to welcome the
soldiers, hypocrites that they were, and they danced with their
enemies as readily as they would waltz with their own dear Filipinos.
Every one seemed to have a good time, and the soldiers went to bed
just in time to get three hours' sleep before starting for Manila in
the morning.
Pages:
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136