with fatal accuracy, and the guerrillas, taken completely by surprise,
and having no levee to protect them, beat a hasty retreat.

Although threatened by a new danger, Archie was so overjoyed that he
could scarcely refrain from shouting, and as soon as he was satisfied
that his pursuers were out of hearing, he crawled from his concealment
and ran toward the river. The shells still kept dropping into the woods
at regular intervals, making music most pleasant to Archie's ears, for
he knew that as long as the fire was continued, his chances for escape
were increased. But in his eagerness he never thought of the men who had
been posted on the bank, and as he dashed through the woods, several
shots were fired at him by the rebels concealed in the bushes. But he
reached the water in safety, and struck out for the vessel. A few random
shots were fired at him, which Archie heard as they whistled past him;
but his good fortune had not deserted him, and he again escaped unhurt.
The reports of the guns on board the Boxer pointed out the direction in
which he was to go, and in a quarter of an hour he was within
hailing-distance of the vessel. The splashing he made in the water soon
attracted the attention of the sentry on the forecastle, who, having
been instructed by Frank, had kept a good look-out. A rope was thrown to
Archie, who was pulled on board the vessel in a state of complete
exhaustion.

Frank was soon informed of the safe return of his cousin, and Archie,
almost too weak to speak plainly, was carried to his room, where, after
being divested of his wet clothes, he was put to bed, and left in a
sound sleep. The next morning, however, he appeared in the mess-room, as
lively as ever, and none the worse for his long run; while Frank, who
began to suffer from his wound, was confined to his bed.