I hope you will be rewarded upon
your return to New York for your bravery while with us here." Archie,
too, blushed, and said that he had no doubt that Mr. Van Bunting would
treat him fairly when he reached New York again.
And Archie was now beginning to wish that the time for his return
would soon arrive. It was the month of February, and he had been away
from America an age, it seemed to him. He felt that he had seen most
of what there was to be seen in the Philippines, and when this naval
tour was over with, the active campaigning would no doubt cease until
the rainy season was over. So for many reasons the boy wished he might
be able to start home soon, and as the days passed he became more and
more anxious to receive word from the Enterprise that he might return.
He had sent many interesting articles to the paper, and would be able
to write many more just as interesting upon his return, so he felt
that the editors wouldn't object to his early return.
For an entire week the cruiser found no signs of the rebels, but at
last there came a day when they were steaming slowly along near the
shore, and saw, back among the trees, some specks of white resembling
tents in shape. Immediately the whole vessel was excited, and there
was much gossip and wonder as to what the tents could be doing there.
The admiral at last decided to send two boats ashore to investigate,
and gave strict orders that the men should be cautious and not allow
themselves to be ambushed or caught in a trap of any kind.
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