And when morning came they both felt
somewhat better, for Archie arose filled with hope for the future, and
more anxious than ever to reach home. Bill Hickson, too, was not loath
to return to the United States, even though he had no relatives
waiting there to welcome him. The poor fellow had been through a great
deal while in the Philippines, and his constitution was almost wrecked
by the constant strain to which he was subjected. He had never fully
recovered from his accident of several weeks before, and he felt that
he needed a rest from the constant excitement and worry of life in the
army. He was tired, too, of being a spy. He had never relished the
work, but he had realised how necessary it was for the Americans to
have some one to follow up Aguinaldo and let the general know of his
movements. "They'll be a long time catching him now," he said, time
and again, to Archie. "He's a much shrewder man than they think, and
he knows his Philippine Islands like a book. He can go from one place
to another without the Americans ever knowing where he disappeared to,
and without some one to follow him they will never be able to learn
anything of his movements."
Bill had received nearly two hundred dollars in back pay, so he felt
quite rich, and Archie told him that if he should happen to run out,
and need more money, he would be very glad to furnish it to him, For
Archie was now determined to take Bill Hickson to New York, and
introduce him to Mr.
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