About five in the afternoon
The cowardly wretches were diplomatic enough to be always on the side of the victorious . When the rebels occupied the town they were loyal to them , and when the Americans came , as they often did , they came out into the square and cheered loudly for Uncle Sam . But of course the Americans knew very well that their sympathies were with the rebels , and the rebels knew it , too , or they would never have dared to venture so near Manila . About five in the afternoon , there was a sound of many men marching along the road , and in a little while Archie was able to see the Americans coming down the street . It was a sight to cheer his heart after all his experiences of the last day and night . The column was marching at double-quick , and the handsome colonel rode a great gray horse at the head of the regiment . Archie saw that they would reach the square in two or three minutes , and , throwing discretion to the winds , he descended from the roof , almost fell down the stairways in his haste , and was soon running toward the administration building .