, and
of course these last days seemed the longest ones of the voyage. But
they gradually passed away, and as they steamed ahead, coming nearer
every hour to that dear land called "home," both Archie and Bill began
to wonder how they would like it all, after their adventurous life in
the Philippines. Bill, in particular, was doubtful whether he would
again be able to settle down to a quiet existence in some small place,
and Archie assured him that he must live in New York, where he would be
sure to find things lively enough to suit him.

At last came the eventful day when the great steamer threaded her way
through the beautiful Golden Gate, and discharged her passengers at the
pier. As Archie and Bill had but little baggage, they were almost the
first ones to leave the vessel, and were hurrying away to find a hotel
where they could remain overnight when Archie felt some one touch him on
the shoulder, and, turning about and seeing no one he knew, was about
to go on, when a man introduced himself as being the San Francisco
correspondent of the Enterprise. "And these gentlemen here," said he,
"are reporters from the newspapers here. They would be glad to have
you say a few words about your experiences during the last few months."
Archie was quite dumbfounded. It had never occurred to him that he was a
person so important as to be interviewed, but he was willing and glad to
accommodate the reporters, and told them to accompany him to his hotel.
Once there, he answered all their questions, and didn't find it hard at
all to give them his opinion of the situation in the Philippines, and
what he thought should be done by the government to stop the rebellion.
"The President will soon put an end to it," he said, "if he can only
have the support of Congress. But as long as there are members of
Congress fighting his policy, the insurgents are going to continue their
insane efforts to establish an independent government." And some of the
reporters smiled to hear so young a fellow talking about the policy in
the Philippines. They felt that he was well-informed, however, and put
down every word he said.

The interviews over, Archie and Bill went early to bed. The Enterprise
correspondent had telegraphed the news of their arrival to New York, and
had received word from Mr. Van Bunting to send them on to New York at
once. So, early in the morning, the two started for the East, and the
train seemed to travel quite as slowly as the steam