But now we will soon finish them up, if you will
just send a man out to tell the admiral of our plans." Archie
immediately volunteered to carry the information, and as he could be
spared better than one of the soldiers or sailors, he was permitted to
undertake the mission. So he started out, and was on board the cruiser
in a very short time. The admiral was dumbfounded to learn that
American troops were encamped on the shore, and in imminent danger of
being defeated, and he at once set about giving orders with great
vigour. "We will show them how they can attack a small regiment of
Americans with their ridiculous army," he declared, and at once gave
orders for the vessel to move inshore. "But wait," he cried, a minute
later, "I see by my chart that there is a deep stream about a mile up
the coast, and if I am not mistaken we can enter this stream and
perhaps get very near the advancing rebels. We may even be able to
destroy them before they have a chance at our soldiers," and the old
admiral almost danced in the enthusiasm of this idea. So the cruiser
steamed rapidly up the coast, and was soon at the mouth of the stream,
which seemed to be the estuary of some great river. Then she steamed
up-stream, and, sure enough, the admiral soon discovered the rebels
marching rapidly along the road, about half a mile away. They had
evidently not perceived the cruiser, on account of the high reeds
growing along the banks, and the admiral gave orders to begin firing.
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