settled that Archie was to leave Manila for New York,
and, now that it was sure he was going, he felt somewhat reluctant to
leave the soldiers with whom he had become friendly, and to get away
from all this life of adventure which had been so interesting and so
delightful in many ways. It was hard, too, to leave the dear old palace
in Manila, through which he had wandered so often, and every room
of which had for him some story of a Spanish prince or a great
governor-general, wealthy and wise. There would be none of all this at
home or in New York, but then there would be something better; there
would be mother, and the old grape arbour, and the Hut Club.

On investigation, Archie found that the quickest way to get home would
be to travel by way of Hong Kong and Yokohama, taking the steamer from
there to San Francisco. It would take him more than a month to make
the trip, and, as it was now the second week in March, he could hardly
expect to reach New York before the first of May. He at once cabled
Mr. Jennings that he would leave at once for Hong Kong, and received
an answer telling him to do so by all means, and to continue to write
letters describing his trip. Archie knew that these letters would
probably not reach New York any sooner than he would, but he did write
them, anyhow, and he did see some of them appear in the paper after his
arrival.

Archie was overjoyed to learn one day that Bill Hickson had received
permission from the commanding general to return to the United States,
and he at once hunted up the bashful hero, and insisted that he leave at
once, and make the trip with him. This was finally agreed to, and when
it was settled that the two old chums were to travel homeward together
the whole camp in Manila was interested in the news. They were both
very popular, and almost every night before their departure there was a
pleasure party of some kind arranged for them. One night they would give
a regular "stag," as they called them, and then again they would arrange
a sort of musicale, at which there would be clog-dancing, banjo music,
and various games to increase the fun.

The four days passed very quickly indeed, and at last the day for
sailing arrived. There was a great throng at the pier to see them off,
and there was no end of good wishes and stories of the good times now
gone by. When the steamer finally moved out into the open, there were
three cheers each for Archie and "brave Bill Hickson," in w