An Amateur Fireman
by James Otis · English · Gutenberg #33242 · 410,795 chars · public domain (US)
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Title: An Amateur Fireman
Author: James Otis
Illustrator: William de la Montagne Cary
Release date: July 24, 2010 [eBook #33242]
Language: English
Other information and formats: www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/33242
Credits: Produced by David Edwards, David K. Park and the Online
Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This
file was produced from images generously made available
by The Internet Archive)
*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AN AMATEUR FIREMAN ***
Produced by David Edwards, David K. Park and the Online
Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This
file was produced from images generously made available
by The Internet Archive)
AN AMATEUR FIREMAN
JAMES OTIS
[Illustration: LIFE-SAVING CORPS AT WORK. _Frontispiece._]
AN AMATEUR FIREMAN
BY
JAMES OTIS
AUTHOR OF "TOBY TYLER," ETC.
[Illustration: JIP AND THE FIRE-ALARM.--_Page_40]
NEW YORK
E. P. DUTTON & COMPANY
681 FIFTH AVE.
COPYRIGHT
E. P. DUTTON & CO
1898
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER PAGE
I. THE AMATEUR 1
II. 'LISH DAVIS 19
III. JIP'S REVENGE 36
IV. SAM THE DETECTIVE 54
V. TARDY REPENTANCE 73
VI. AN OBSTINATE DETECTIVE 92
VII. NEW LODGINGS 110
VIII. JIP COLLINS'S RETREAT 127
IX. THE UNIFORM 144
X. AT HEADQUARTERS 161
XI. SAM'S RETURN 179
XII. THE PRISONER 196
XIII. THE LETTER 215
XIV. THE SUBPOENA 233
XV. THE TRIAL 251
XVI. WINNING A MEDAL 270
XVII. THE BLOW-OUT 288
XVIII. THE EXHIBITION DRILL 306
ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE
LIFE-SAVING CORPS AT WORK _Frontispiece_
'LISH DAVIS AND SETH 8
JIP COLLINS AND THE BOYS FROM BROOKLYN 34
JIP AND THE FIRE-ALARM--_Title-page_ 40
SETH CATCHES THE HORSE 68
SAM GOING TO PHILADELPHIA 136
THE FIRE-ENGINE GOING OUT 152
SETH RESCUES THE BABY 272
THE BLOW-OUT 298
PRESENTING THE MEDALS 322
AN AMATEUR FIREMAN.
CHAPTER I.
THE AMATEUR.
"I ain't sayin' as how I could run a whole fire, same as some of the
chiefs do; but when it comes to drivin' an engine, Dan Roberts, an'
doin' it in time to get the first water, or layin' hose, I wouldn't
knuckle down to the biggest man in the Department."
"Now see here, Seth Bartlett, what's the sense of talkin' that way? It
would be a good deal better, an' I ain't the only one who says it, if
you'd stick right to shinin', an' stop playin' fireman, for that's 'bout
the biggest part of the work you do."
"Do you s'pose I count on shinin' boots for a livin' all my life?"
"You've got to make a better fist at it than you have done for a year or
more, else you'll never get into anythin' else. I tell you what it is,
Seth Bartlett, when a man wants to hire a boy, he ain't pickin' out the
feller that's failed up two or three times over; but he generally looks
for the one what's makin' a go of it, whether it's shinin' or sellin'
papers."
"I ain't sayin' but you're right, Dan, an' I s'pose it's a good thing
for you to keep right on rememberin'; but it's different with me. I
don't count on any one man hirin' me when I strike out for somethin'
better'n shinin'."
"Oh, you don't, eh? What little game _have_ you got? Goin' to run a
bank, or keep a hotel, or do somethin' like that?"
"You think you're funny, but you ain't. I'm goin' into the Fire
Department when the right time comes, an' don't you make any mistake
about it."
Dan laughed loud and long at this announcement, and Seth gazed at him in
grim silence until the explosion of mirth was somewhat subsided, when he
said sharply:
"I guess trade must have been pretty good with you to-day, else you
wouldn't be feelin' so terrible funny."
"Well, it hasn't. I got stuck on four _Heralds_ this mornin', an' five
_Expresses_ to-night. That comes pretty near cleanin' off all the
profits, 'cause it's awful dull nowadays in my business, Seth."
"Then I can't guess why you got so dreadful silly when I said I was
goin' into the Department some day."
"It would make anybody laugh, Seth, to hear a feller no bigger'n you
talk of such things. You must be a man to get that kind of a job."
"Well, shan't I be in time--and not such a terrible long while either?
I'm fourteen now, leastways, that's the way I figger it out, an' if I
could get one of them early spring moustaches like Sim Jepson is
raisin', folks would think I was a man when I wasn't only eighteen.
Don't you reckon all the firemen were boys once?"
"Yes," Dan replied doubtfully, "I s'pose they was," and he added quickly
as a sudden thought occurred to him, "but they had to know a good deal
about the business before they could get a job."
"Course they did, an' it was a case of learnin'. That's jest what I'm
doin' when I tend out on fires. I'm gettin' posted, an' by an' by when
I'm old enough you'll see me in the Department, that's all there is
about it."
Seth Bartlett and Dan Roberts were old friends, having made each other's
acquaintance no less than three months previous, when the former, who
had disagreed with Jip Collins on a matter regarding household affairs,
was in search of a new roommate.
Seth owned, or believed he did, certain rights in a small shed situate
in the rear of Baxter Brothers' carpenter shop, where he made his home.
It was a rude affair, originally built for the purpose of sheltering Mr.
Baxter's horse and carriage, but afterward used as a storage place for
such odds and ends as accumulate in a carpenter's work-shop.
Seth had made his home in this shed for nearly a year, having been given
permission to sleep there by one of the owners on a certain cold, stormy
night, and he was not averse to telling his friends how he "worked the
snap."
This is his version of what may perhaps be called a business
transaction:
"I did start in to live with Jim Wardwell's folks. You see, business was
mighty good for a spell, an' I got to feelin' way up toney where nothin'
short of a reg'lar room would do me. I paid a dollar a week jest for
sleepin' there. Ten big, round plunks for ten weeks, an' then I tumbled
to myself! You see, it was too rich for my blood when there come a long
spell of bad weather, an' I wasn't takin' in more'n twenty-five cents a
day, so I snooped 'round to see if I couldn't find somethin' that would
be cheaper. Then I struck this shed, an' I says to myself, says I,
'That's jest my size'; but I knew it wouldn't do to try to bite it out
of the carpenter's ear 'less I had a pretty good story to put up. I
waited four whole days till it turned 'round so cold that the hair on
your head would freeze, an' long towards the middle of the afternoon it
began to snow. Then I said to myself that the time had come when I'd got
to make the trade. I crawled into the carpenter's shop an' give him a
pretty straight story. Told him how bad business was--Well, he could see
for himself nobody would want boots shined in that weather. He said if I
promised him I wouldn't freeze to death, 'cause he didn't want any dead
bootblacks on his hands, I could come in for a spell. An' don't you
think I wasn't fixed! All the shavings I wanted for a bed right there on
the floor, an' if the boss of the Astor House had got down on his knees
beggin' me to come to his hotel to stop, I'd said 'no,' 'cause I
couldn't be bothered with the airs they put on down that way. How long
can I stay here? I ain't troublin' my head 'bout that. I don't let the
man what owns the place see me any oftener than I can help, an' so
long's I keep out of sight there ain't much chance of my bein' fired."
Seth's home in which he took so much pride was by no means as
uncomfortable as one might suppose. With ample material in the shape of
short lengths of boards, he had constructed a tiny apartment in one end
with so great care that only such wind as was necessary for perfect
ventilation found its way in to him, while his bed of shavings was more
rest-inviting and probably more cleanly than was the well-worn mattress
on which he had slept at Mrs. Wardwell's home.
Once having taken possession of this abode, Seth set about making an
honest penny out of his new possessions by allowing Jip Collins to
become his roommate upon the payment of fifteen cents each week, and for
several months these two lived in apparent harmony, although Seth
afterward said that "Jip tired him" by finding so much fault with the
Fire Department.
Then came the time when the lodger insisted upon the use of candles at
night, and in smoking cigarettes inside the apartment, both of which
luxuries or pleasures had been expressly forbidden by Mr. Baxter when he
gave the bootblack permission to occupy the premises.
Jip had not departed in a friendly manner. He believed he had good cause
for grievance against Seth, and on the day he left the lodgings
threatened with many a needless word to "make it hot" for the would-be
fireman.
Then Master Bartlett had taken Dan Roberts as a tenant, and the two had
been living as peacefully and comfortably as could be expected, save at
such times as they heard of new and more startling threats from Jip, up
to this moment when the lodger took it upon himself to criticise his
landlord's admiration of a fireman's calling.
Seth Bartlett was not a general favorite among the merchants in the
boot-blacking and newspaper business, owing to the general belief that
he "put on airs" because of his acquaintance with 'Lish Davis, driver
of Ninety-four engine, which was stationed near Mr. Baxter's shed.
When trade was dull, instead of joining his brother merchants in
pitching pennies or such other games as they might chance to indulge in,
Seth spent his time about the engine-house, on the alert for an
opportunity to be of benefit to some of the men, hoping thereby to so
far earn their favor that he might be looked upon as a welcome visitor.
During no less than two months had he thus apparently loitered around,
bent on one object, and pursuing that steadily, without having been so
fortunate as to attract particular attention. Then on a certain day,
Elisha Davis, the driver, called upon the small workman for a shine.
Seth's freckled face was radiant with delight as he entered the
engine-house for the first time, and his big brown eyes wandered from
the glittering machine, above the pole of which hung the shining
harness, to the apparently complicated apparatus of brass and walnut
over the house-watchman's desk.
'Lish, as his comrades spoke of him, was not in the mood to wait until
the boy's curiosity had been satisfied, for at any instant an alarm
might summon him to duty, and he impatiently called upon Seth to set
about his work, or "clear out."
Never before had the bootblack spent so much time over a single pair of
boots; he polished them with his brushes until they shone like mirrors,
then hardened the gloss with a piece of flannel, and when it seemed as
if his work had been done to perfection, blackened the brilliant surface
again with the hope of improving what had apparently been a great
success.
"You're not any too quick about the job; but there ain't a lad around
here that could have done it better," 'Lish said approvingly, and would
have given the boy a nickel, but that the latter drew back quickly.
"I don't want anythin' for the shine; I'd like mighty well to give you
one every day."
"Do you go around working for thanks?" the driver asked with no little
surprise.
"Of course I take my pay from other folks; but I wouldn't let any
fireman put up for a shine."
"Why not?"
"'Cause I'm jest the same as one myself--that is, I'm goin' into the
Department when I'm old enough."
"Stuck on the business, eh?"
[Illustration: 'LISH DAVIS AND SETH _Page_ 8.]
"That's jest the size of it!" Seth cried enthusiastically. "I tend out
on most all the fires in Ninety-four's district, an' sometimes I get
a chance to sneak inside the lines."
"You do, eh? Well, I'll have an eye out after this, and if I get my
hands on you there won't be any more such sneaking."
"Now, what's the matter with my doin' a little thing like that? It don't
hurt anybody, an' I pick up a good many points."
"Some day a falling wall will knock you down, or you'll find yourself
under the wheels of an engine, and then your 'points' won't be of any
particular advantage."
"I can take care of myself as well as you, an' if I don't knock 'round
when there's a fire, how am I ever goin' to learn the business?"
"You don't want to learn what's a dog's life at the best. Steer clear of
it, lad, and put your mind on anything else, for a man don't last long
at this kind of work; even if he doesn't get killed offhand, it's only a
question of time--and in many cases a precious short time--before a
fireman is laid on the shelf, worn out. Now, clear away from here if you
won't take pay for the shine, and remember that I'll have my eye out
after this to see you don't get inside the lines."
Seth obeyed promptly with never a protest, and 'Lish said to the
watchman at the desk:
"That's a decent kind of a lad, and if he hangs around here any more
there's no reason why we shouldn't throw a job in his way now and then."
"How does that fit in with the lesson you read to him?"
"I didn't try to make it fit. If I can scare him out of the notion he's
got in his head, it'll show he ain't suited for this kind of a life; but
if he sticks at it, I'll believe it's worth while to give him a lift now
and then."
If Seth could have heard this brief conversation he would, most likely,
have indulged in the latest jig-step he had learned, and perhaps
neglected his work as bootblack until hunger forced him to take up the
brushes again; but he was ignorant of 'Lish's good intentions, and went
away with a heavy heart, yet having no idea of abandoning his efforts to
"learn the business."
He did not cease to spend his spare moments about Ninety-four's house,
and after 'Lish Davis had many times threatened the direst punishment if
he persisted in such a course, but without effect, the members of the
company came to look upon Seth as a boy of pluck, who would one day
force his way into the Department.
However, no one of Ninety-four's men had given him an opportunity for
doing other than blacking boots, and the boy was entirely ignorant of
their friendliness toward him.
Such was the general position of affairs on the night when Dan Roberts
believed it his duty to mildly reprove Seth for spending so much time in
what seemed to be idleness when he should be looking for customers.
After the master of the shed-home had announced so positively that he
would be a fireman in due course of time, Dan, remembering how Jip
Collins had lost his footing in the household, decided he had done his
whole duty in the matter, and straight-way changed the subject of
conversation by saying:
"Sam Barney had mighty bad luck to-day. First off, somebody passed a
lead dime on him, an' then he lost as many as fifteen cents at one
slap."
"How?" Seth asked with no slight show of interest.
"That's what he can't make out. He had the money in the same pocket
where he always carries it, when all of a sudden it was gone."
"Somebody touched him."
"Must be, an' Sam thinks he's got an idea who it is."
"Can't be any of the reg'lar gang, 'cause I don't know a feller what
would do a trick like that."
"Sam's keepin' mighty close about it, an' I wouldn't wonder if he found
the whole business out before long. He comes near to bein' a reg'lar
detective, you know."
"Who? Sam?"
"Sure."
"But what does he know about the detective business?"
"Perhaps he's learnin' it same's you are the fireman's racket."
This reduced Seth to silence, and Dan, fearing that he might have given
offence, hastened to say in a most friendly tone:
"Of course if a feller studies over anything of that kind he'll soon
come somewhere near knowin' a little about it, an' Sam is posted in more
ways than one."
"Then how does it happen he let anybody go through him?"
"That's the funny part of it, an' the folks what did it must have been
mighty slick, 'cause, you see----"
Dan was interrupted by the sound of footsteps near at hand, and ever on
the alert against possible danger, Seth made his way to the door of the
shed as he asked sharply:
"Who's there?"
"It's only me," a familiar voice replied, and he knew that the visitor
was none other than the boy of whom he and his lodger had just been
speaking.
"Dan was tellin' me you'd lost your money. Didn't come up here
reckonin' he or I'd got it, did you?"
"I ain't any sich fool as that; but Jip Collins has been makin' a good
deal of cheap talk this afternoon, an' I thought perhaps you'd like to
know 'bout it."
"He's allers doin' that, an' I reckon it's more wind than anythin'
else."
"I wouldn't wonder if this time he got right down to business, an' you
ought'er keep a pretty sharp lookout, Seth. These are too snug quarters
for you to lose through a feller like Jip."
"Come inside and set down," Master Bartlett said as his lodger joined
him at the door of the shed. "Dan an' me is here alone, an' you won't
mind if it's dark, 'cause you see I promised Mr. Baxter straight out an'
out that there shouldn't ever be any kind of a light inside. That's one
of the things Jip kicked about, you know."
Sam Barney promptly accepted the invitation. Being an old friend of
Seth's, he was familiar with the household arrangements, and despite the
darkness made his way through the shed to the box-like home in one
corner, where, after some difficulty, he found a block of wood that
served as chair.
Seth threw himself upon the bed of shavings, and Dan lounged negligently
near the entrance.
"I should think it would be kind er lonesome in here nights when it's
like this," Sam suggested as he tried in vain to distinguish the form of
either of his companions.
"Well, it ain't, 'cause Dan an' me don't spend a great deal of time
settin' 'round after we once get in. We should have been asleep before
this if he hadn't had considerable to say 'bout my tryin' to be a
fireman. He'd jest got through when you came."
"Well, say, Seth, you don't b'lieve you're ever goin' to get on to the
Department, jest 'cause you run to every fire Ninety-four goes to, do
you?"
"I don't know why I can't be a fireman jest as easy as you can a
detective, an' some of the fellers say you're workin' mighty hard to be
one."
"Well, s'posen I am?" and Sam spoke sharply.
"I ain't kickin' against it; but was only sayin' that it's jest as easy
for me to get what I'm tryin' for, as it is for you."
Sam's opinion on the subject may have differed from that of his host,
but he refrained from making any reply, and at once began to speak
concerning the purpose of his visit.
"Jip Collins is goin' to work some kind of a racket on you, an' I reckon
I can guess pretty nigh what it is. He was makin' a good deal of talk
this afternoon, an' it seems as though the time had come when you'd
better have your eyes open."
"Jip's allers had a good deal to say since I told him he couldn't sleep
here any longer; but it never 'mounted to anythin'."
"But look here, Seth, this time I b'lieve he'll do some mischief. He's
been tellin' that he'll give you a chance to show how much of a fireman
you are, an' I heard him talkin' 'bout touchin' a match to shavings,
so's to smoke you out, till I've made up my mind that he's goin' to set
fire to this place."
Seth laughed derisively.
"I ain't 'fraid of a feller like him."
"Then it's all right, an' no harm done in my tellin' you; but if I was
in your place I'd keep my eyes open pretty wide. Now, Jip Collins can't
scare me a little bit; but yet if I was in a snap like this, an' I knew
he'd threatened to set fire, it would kind er stir me up a bit."
"Don't you go to thinkin' I ain't glad 'cause you told me, Sam, for I am,
only it don't stand to reason a feller like Jip Collins can do much of
anythin'."
"Don't you be so sure of that," Dan Roberts cried. "I've heard somethin'
'bout what Jip's been sayin', though I never b'lieved he had it in his
head to burn the place up; but this much is sure: if it could be done
without his takin' too many chances, he's jest the kind of a feller what
would try it. He claims that, accordin' to the trade, you give him the
right to stay in this place jest as long as _you_ did, and that it was
the same as swindlin' him when I come in."
"He knows better than that. I told him we'd try it a spell, an' see how
we got along; the very first night I went all over the business with
him, an' said if we couldn't hitch together easy like, why we didn't
want to stay in the same place, an' he was satisfied with it. Now, I
don't see how I can do anythin' if he's bent on settin' fire to the
shed, more'n lookin' 'round pretty sharp before I go to bed."
"If I owned this place same's you do, I should set up nights, 'cause
then's when he'll try his game," Sam said with an air of wisdom. "It
ain't likely he'll come 'round here in the daytime; but after the men
have gone away from the shop it wouldn't be anyways hard for him to get
in an' strike a match to some of these shavin's."
"But accordin' to that you couldn't do very much work, if you set up all
night watchin' for Jip Collins. You'd have to sleep in the daytime. I
don't see how a feller is goin' to earn his livin' any sich way."
"I didn't say you ought'er do it," Sam replied quickly; "but was only
tellin' what I believed in. It ain't likely you'd have to stand watch
many nights, 'cause the first time you caught Jip you'd put an end to
it by pretty nigh thumpin' the life out er him; then I don't reckon he'd
come again."
"Do you s'pose he's countin' on doin' this all alone?"
"No; he's got a couple of fellers from Brooklyn that he's chummin' with
jest now, an' most likely they're comin' into the game."
"If they do, an' I should watch for Jip till I caught him, there ain't
any great show of my thumpin' him very bad if he's got two others to
lend a hand."
"You ain't scared of him, are you?" Sam asked quickly.
"Not much I ain't; but I'll keep clear from that kind of a racket till I
know somethin' 'bout it. I can't 'ford to have a row, don't you see,
'cause if any of Ninety-four's men heard I was fightin' my way along, as
likely as not they'd shut me off from goin' to the engine-house, an'
then ag'in when the time comes for me to get into the Department it
would give me a black eye if I had the name of doin' sich things. I
don't s'pose that would hurt a detective; but they're mighty careful
what kind of fellers they have in the Department, an' I don't count on
havin' a bad mark to my name four years from now."
"Well, suit yourself about that, of course. It ain't any of my
business, only I thought I'd tell you what Jip's sayin', an' I've got to
get along over towards Hoboken."
Then, from the noise he made, his hosts understood that Sam Barney was
making his way out of the apartment, and Dan asked in a friendly tone if
he had made any new discoveries regarding the theft of his money.
"I'm follerin' up a pretty good clue now," Sam replied in a tone
calculated to give the hearer an impression that he could tell more if
it was necessary, and then with a cheery "So long," he rapidly made his
way across the lumber-yard to the street.
CHAPTER II.
'LISH DAVIS.
When their visitor had departed Seth and Dan held a long consultation as
to the advisability of following Sam's advice in the matter of standing
guard during the hours of darkness.
Dan believed that, owing to his having made a study of the detective
business, Sam Barney knew better than they what should be done toward
warding off the threatened attack, and, regardless of the labor
involved, he proposed that a sentinel be stationed just outside the shed
door.
"I'll go on guard until twelve o'clock, and you can sleep all that time;
then I'll call you an' take my turn at it," Dan said after they had
discussed the matter in all its bearings for ten minutes or more.
"How do you count on keepin' awake?"
"That can easily be done, 'cause I'll walk 'round the yard, an' the
nights are just about cold enough to make a feller want to move lively."
"I don't believe Jip Collins would dare do what he threatens."
"He would if he thought the game could be worked without too much risk,
an' I tell you, Seth, if both of us turn in an' go to sleep he might
carry the whole shed away without our knowin' it."
"All right; I'll 'gree to it, though if he should come 'round we mustn't
have too much of a row, 'cause you remember what I told Sam 'bout not
wantin' to be taken for a fighter in this neighborhood, else I'll never
get into the Department."
"You can be pretty certain I shouldn't tackle him alone, an' if them two
fellers from Brooklyn 'mount to anythin', why you an' I together
wouldn't have too much of a show."
Then, after repeating that he was to be called at midnight in order to
perform his full share of the labor, Seth went into the box-like
apartment, and Dan began his work as watchman.
During the first half-hour he paced to and from one end of the yard to
the other, scrutinizing carefully every unfamiliar object, until it
seemed to him the night was more than half spent.
"I must have been here four hours now, an' Sam Barney left 'bout
half-past seven, so I haven't got a great while to tramp 'round," he
said to himself, and just at that moment the clock on a neighboring
steeple struck the hour of eight.
He was both surprised and discouraged at thus learning that the time was
passing so slowly, and it suddenly came into his mind that he was very
tired.
It was foolish to keep constantly moving around, because if Jip Collins
should come he would see the sentinel and make no effort to carry out
his threats until the coast was clear.
Therefore it was that Master Roberts built a seat from pieces of board
just inside the shed, and seating himself where he could have a full
view of the yard while remaining unseen, he continued his duties in what
appeared to him to be a much wiser, and certainly a more comfortable
fashion.
Here he was protected from the chill wind, and as was only natural, here
also he fell asleep even while saying to himself that nothing should
tempt him to close his eyes even for a single moment.
When the near-by clock struck the hour of twelve Dan was still wrapped
in slumber.
At three o'clock in the morning his repose was most profound, and just
at daylight Seth shook him by the shoulder as he asked with a laugh:
"How long have you been asleep?"
Dan's most intimate friends claimed that he never told a lie, and he was
not tempted to do so on this occasion, even though the truth provoked
mirth at his expense.
"It couldn't have been a great while after eight o'clock. It didn't seem
possible I'd go to sleep here, Seth, an' sure I meant to keep my eyes
wide open; but the first thing I knew it was done, an' I haven't woke up
since."
"Well, that shows how much need there is to watch for Jip Collins. He's
all wind, that feller is, an' likes to go 'round town braggin' what
he'll do to us; but you'll find every night will be jest like this. As
soon as it's dark he gets where he belongs, an' don't take the chances
of bein' out too late. Comin' up here in the night an' tryin' any funny
business is too much for a coward like him, an' I tell you we might as
well go to sleep as to stand guard."
Nothing could have been more convincing to Dan than this experience.
When the amateur detective left them it seemed positive Jip Collins
would attempt to work mischief before daybreak, and had he been forced
to lie down on the bed of shavings by the side of his landlord, Dan
Roberts would have felt decidedly uneasy in mind.
Now, however, since he had kept such poor watch, and it was evident the
enemy had not been in that vicinity, he came to look at the matter much
as did Seth.
Although no absolute decision was arrived at regarding what should be
done in the future as to standing guard, it was understood between these
two inmates of the shed-home, that such precaution was unnecessary.
Among his other conveniences for housekeeping Seth had a tin biscuit-box
which served him as cupboard, and the two were in the custom of bringing
home at night sufficient for their breakfast next morning.
It was necessary Dan should be ready to begin business at a very early
hour, and when the sun rose these two merchants were usually making
ready for the day's work.
On this particular morning, however, they lingered over the meal, having
much spare time at their disposal because of Seth's early awakening, and
shortly after daybreak both set out, one to visit the newspaper offices
and the other to loiter in the vicinity of the engine-house until the
firemen should require his services, for now nearly all the company
patronized the lad, whom they were pleased to call "the amateur."
It is but right, however, to state that he was paid for such services.
After that first morning when Seth had refused to take money from 'Lish
Davis, he was given to understand that when the members of the company
wanted boots blacked they were to pay for the labor, otherwise some
other of the fraternity would be called upon.
Seth begged for the privilege of "shinin' for the crowd free," declaring
that he should not lose any money through such gratuitous labor, for he
would be familiarizing himself with the indoor details of a fireman's
life.
To this, however, 'Lish Davis made answer:
"See here, my son, you've got your living to earn, and can't afford to
give up bread an' butter for the sake of getting on to our work. We'll
pay for the shines, or you don't put your nose inside this house, and as
for finding out what we do hereabout, why it's nothing but drudgery.
Cleaning harnesses, setting the machines to rights, and keeping the
place neat as a new pin make up the bulk of the work. So take a nickel
for every shine you give, or out you go, never to come back."
From that hour Seth had been paid regularly, and, thanks to such
patronage, he was in a great measure independent of other customers,
because there was seldom a day when he did not earn at least twenty-five
cents from Ninety-four's men.
Thus it can be understood that he was warranted in loitering near the
engine-house until his patrons should be ready for his services, and on
this particular morning the first man who came out of doors found him
seated on his box, leaning against the building, whistling cheerily.
"Feeling pretty good this morning, ain't you, kid?" the fireman asked
rather as a greeting than for the purpose of gaining information, and
the boy replied in a tone of perplexity:
"I ain't certain about that, Mr. Walters."
"Not sure whether you're feeling good or not?"
"No, an' that's a fact. Has Mr. Davis turned out yet?"
"Well, s'pose he has? Do you want to consult with him?"
"That's 'bout the size of it."
"He's inside with the horses; go right through."
In order that he might not be an unwelcome visitor, Seth had had
sufficient good sense never to enter the building without an express
invitation or permission, and perhaps because he was thus scrupulous the
men were all the more willing to admit him.
"Hello! What's up?" 'Lish Davis asked as the boy appeared thus
unannounced.
"If you ain't very busy I'd like to talk with you 'bout somethin' that's
botherin' my pardner an' me a good bit since last night."
"Fire away, lad. I reckon I've got time enough to listen to the story,
unless it is in more than one chapter."
"It ain't so very long, an' I'll be quick as I can," Seth replied, and
then he told, without going too much into detail, of his trouble with
Jip Collins, and of the latest threats which the boy had made, according
to Sam Barney's statement, concluding by saying:
"Now, I don't believe Jip's got sand enough to do any sich thing as
settin' fire to the shed, an' it's sure he didn't try it last night,
'cause he had every chance; but I've been thinkin' 'bout it while I was
waitin' for the house to be opened, an' it kind-er come into my mind
that perhaps he might make a bluff at it."
"I wouldn't be surprised at anything some of these young villains did,"
'Lish Davis said after a brief time of reflection. "The general run of
street boys get an idea into their heads, and don't stop to realize what
the consequences may be. Let me see, you live in the rear of Baxter's
carpenter shop, don't you?"
"Yes, sir."
"There's a brick building butts up against the back end of that lot, so
your only chance of getting out would be to come through the
lumber-yard?"
"Yes, sir."
"Well, it wouldn't amount to very much as a fire; but in case one got
started there, you and your partner would stand a good show of getting a
dose."
Seth understood the driver to mean that there was danger of being
suffocated by the smoke, and he admitted that such might be the case,
but added:
"We can't do as Sam Barney says, an' set up every night watchin', else
when would we sleep?"
"Why don't you leave this place for two or three days, and find some
other quarters?"
"That never'd do, 'cause jest as soon as the fellers knew I'd gone,
they'd snoop 'round, an' I'd be thrown out of a home mighty quick."
"You might get Baxter to let you put a lock on the shed; that would keep
them out."
"I wouldn't like to do it, 'cause you see I've got an idea the carpenter
has forgot all about my sleepin' there, an' perhaps if I was to flash up
so fresh askin' for a lock on the bedroom door he'd think it was 'bout
time for me to skip."
"Well, look here, Seth, you might as well give me a shine, and while you
're doing that I'll see if I can think of a way out for you. I'm
inclined to believe the same as your detective friend does, that it
stands you in hand to keep a pretty good watch, and I'll speak to the
cop on this beat."
Seth set about his professional duties without delay, and by the time
one boot had been polished so perfectly that it reflected surrounding
objects almost as well as a mirror, the fireman asked abruptly:
"How old are you, kid?"
"Fourteen, accordin' to the way I figger it."
"Don't you know?"
"Well, you see, old Miss Washburn--she was the woman that claimed to
bring me up, though it's precious little she did towards it--wasn't no
ways certain herself, but that's what she allowed, so it's good enough
for me."
"Haven't got any folks, eh?"
"Well, I did have a mother, you know, till I was a couple of years old,
so Miss Washburn says."
"Where's your father?"
"You see, I never had one, leastways not what you would call a real
father, 'cause when a man is a reg'lar gin-pig, no decent feller is
goin' to own up that he's his relation. The last time I saw him he was
goin' down on the Island for ninety days, an' that was as much as three
years ago."
"You've still got the fool idea in your mind that you're going to be a
fireman?"
"It ain't any fool idea, Mr. Davis, 'cause it's a fact. That's jest what
I count on bein'."
"Look here, my son, I've been thinking about you a considerable bit
since I found it was no use trying to scare you out of the plan, and in
a year's time or so, I reckon, between the captain and Walters and me,
we can get you in up to headquarters. Now, don't jump so! I didn't mean
we allowed you could go there as a recruit; but the captain was saying
the other night that we might work it so's you could get some kind of a
berth there--sweeping floors, washing windows, and the like of that,
which, if you keep your ears and eyes open, would amount to the same as
if you went into actual training. You ain't the lad I've got in my eye
if you couldn't soon work your way into one of the classes."
"If I only might!" Seth replied emphatically, with a long indrawing of
the breath. "If I only might!"
"I allow we'll work it, lad; but you must grow a good bit 'twixt now and
then."
"I'm hopin' to get an early spring moustache before long. Sim Jepson's
got one, an' I'm goin' to do the same as he did, 'cause the fellers say
he put somethin' on to make the hair grow."
The driver laughed long and loud at this announcement made in the
gravest tone, and called upon every idle man in the building to come and
hear the "amateur's" latest scheme for getting into the Department.
The boy's face flushed a deep red before 'Lish Davis was willing to
cease laughing at or repeating the proposition; but finally he wearied
of his sport, and, his boots having long since been polished, said in a
serious tone:
"I'll speak to the cop on this beat about your friend Collins, and in
the meantime make it your business to hunt him up. Let the little
scoundrel know you've told me; that I'm going to post the policeman, and
that he'll get a mighty hot reception if he should try any of his
firebug business. I reckon some such hint will knock the mischief out
of his head, unless he's a born idiot."
Then Mr. Davis walked away, intent on the morning duties, and Seth set
about his regular work until all the company had been served, after
which he started down-town in accordance with the plan proposed by the
driver.
Owing to customers, and they were unusually plentiful on this day, it
was not until late in the afternoon that he arrived at City Hall Square,
where Jip Collins was most often to be found, and here he met his
partner.
Dan was delighted at learning what steps had been taken for their
safety, although because of the previous night's experience he had begun
to doubt if their enemy would dare carry his threats into effect, and
the two at once made search for Master Collins.
He had been seen thereabouts within an hour by more than one of Seth's
acquaintances; but now although the two searched until nightfall it was
impossible to accomplish their purpose.
It seemed much as if Jip Collins, learning that Seth was in the
vicinity, believed it wisest to keep out of sight, and after the night
had fully come Dan said impatiently:
"It's no use spendin' so much time on that duffer, 'cause he won't show
up again to-night. We've told so many of the fellers what 'Lish Davis
said, that Jip will be sure to hear of it before he goes to bed, an'
perhaps that will be just as well as if you had met him, 'cause there
might have been a row. Let's go up and get a bowl of five-cent soup and
a piece of pie. I can stand a ten-cent spread to-night, an' business has
been good enough with you."
To this proposition Seth assented, and the two made their way to a
certain restaurant on Chatham Street, where, after an unusually
profitable day's work, they were in the custom of feasting.
If there was any one thing in which Dan Roberts excelled it was in his
ability to eat very fast and for a long while.
He ordered the waiter to bring him the pie and the soup at the same
time, and it seemed to Seth as if he had but just begun before his
partner was finished.
"I reckon I can take one more bowl of that soup, an' then be through
before you are," he said, thoughtfully. "I made pretty near forty cents,
an' it's kind'er tough if a feller can't spend fifteen of it, eh?"
"Go ahead if you want the soup, an' are willin' to pay for it. It don't
make any difference to me, 'cause I'll stay here till you're filled plum
full; but I tell you what it is, Dan, you're gettin' into an awful habit
of eatin'."
"Is that what you call a habit?"
"Course it is. If you didn't think about it every minute, you wouldn't
be so hungry."
"I'm pretty near starved all the time as it is, an' I don't know how I'd
get along with any less," Dan replied apologetically, and then, the soup
having been brought, he gave his undivided attention to the pleasing
task.
After the feast the boys, having nothing of special importance to do,
lounged leisurely towards their home in the shed, and it was nearly nine
o'clock before they crept into the box that served as chamber, both
feeling tired and sleepy.
Not until they were inside did Seth realize that they had not searched
the lumber-yard, and he insisted that they go at once to make certain no
enemy was hidden near at hand.
"What's the use of that?" Dan asked petulantly. "You can be sure Jip
Collins ain't anywhere 'round here, 'cause some of the fellers have told
him what we said long before this, an' he'll give the place a wide
berth."
"You ain't sure he knows that I told 'Lish Davis 'bout the threats he
was makin'."
"Well, he didn't come last night, an' you was the one that said he
wouldn't dare to show his nose 'round."
"I know it; but somehow or other, Dan, it seems as if we ought'er look
out a little sharper, 'cause he might be fool enough to try such a
game."
"An' if he did after tellin' everybody about it, he'd go up the river
ten or fifteen years, sure--I ain't certain but that it would be a life
sentence."
"Yes, I know all that, Dan, but Jip ain't the kind of a feller to figger
on sich things, an' if he gets a notion right solid in his head, there's
no knowin' how big a fool he might make of himself, so let's go out an'
have a look 'round."
It was with an ill grace that Dan followed Seth, and even then his share
in the search was of but little service owing to the fact that he
hurried from one part of the yard to the other without making an effort
to ascertain if any one was secreted in the many convenient
hiding-places near at hand.
After ten minutes or more had been spent by the two boys, Seth
performing his work faithfully and Dan shirking, the partners retired,
and it was as if they had but just stretched themselves at full length
on the bed of shavings when both were asleep.
If Dan had been acting the part of sentinel just inside the shed door an
hour after the two retired, he would have seen in the gloom three dark
forms emerge from behind a pile of boards which he had failed to look
over carefully, and advance cautiously toward the shed door, halting
when they were twenty feet or more away.
Had he been there he would have recognized one of these as Jip Collins,
and most probably suspected that the other two were the boys from
Brooklyn spoken of by the amateur detective.
He would also have heard the conversation which followed; but he did not
because he was asleep, and the lad who was willing to commit a crime in
order to compass his revenge found no impediment in the way.
"They're snorin' by this time, that's certain," Jip said to his
comrades, "an' even if they wasn't we might talk here for an hour
without their hearin', 'cause Seth's room is in the farther end of the
shed, and there's a whole pile of lumber between him an' the door. He
don't believe in going out much after he's got inside the yard, for fear
the carpenter will see him, so we can make up our minds that there's
nothin' to stop us."
"Where do you count on starting the fire?"
"Right close by the shed door, of course. I know where to get a lot of
shavings."
"But it won't do to set it so near, because the fellers might be burned
to death, an' that would be a pretty piece of business, Jip Collins."
"Gettin' scared, eh?"
"You don't want to talk to me 'bout gettin' scared, a feller who'd let
another only half his size back him down same's you did last night."
[Illustration: JIP COLLINS AND THE BOYS FROM BROOKLYN. _Page_ 34.]
"If you ain't scared, what are you makin' a row 'bout now? We 'greed to
put a fire here so's to singe Seth an' Dan a little."
"Yes, I agreed to that much; but I don't count on killing 'em."
"Neither do I."
"But how can you help it if you build the fire right close to the door,
when there's no other way for 'em to get out?"
"Don't you s'pose they've got sense enough to wake up before the thing
gets too far along?"
"I've heard of folks bein' smothered to death while they was asleep, an'
I ain't in this game if that's the way you're goin' to work it."
"Then back out if you're scared, an' I'll do it."
Without paying any further attention to his companions, Jip made his way
to the rear of the carpenter's shop, where he knew would be found an
ample supply of light wood and shavings, and when he returned, his arms
filled with the inflammable material, neither of his friends from
Brooklyn could be seen.
CHAPTER III.
JIP'S REVENGE.
If Jip Collins had not accused the Brooklyn boys of being afraid, it is
doubtful if he would have dared to set fire to the shed.
Now it seemed to him as if he must carry out the proposed crime, or set
himself down as a coward, and because of being deficient in bravery his
one fear was lest such fact should be generally known.
He was on the spot; the materials for kindling a blaze were in his arms,
and it appeared at that moment to him as if it was absolutely necessary
he should perform what he had so often threatened without really
intending to do.
The shavings and light wood were laid at the door of the shed. Jip was
careful not to place them in such a manner as would be best calculated
to produce the fiercest blaze; but dropped them without heed, as if
saying to himself that chance should decide whether the building caught
fire or not.
He drew several matches from his pocket, and looked around
apprehensively, hearing in every noise the footsteps of an officer
coming to drag him to prison.
After thus hesitating several moments he understood beyond a
peradventure that he was alone--that nothing save his own conscience
prevented him from carrying into effect his plan of revenge.
It should be said that at this moment Jip failed to realize what might
be the consequences of such an act.
One of the Brooklyn boys had suggested the possibility that those in the
shed might be burned to death if the fire was started near the door; but
to this Jip had given little heed. He could not believe that two active
lads like Seth and Dan would be overpowered by a little smoke, and felt
assured the firemen would arrive so soon after the blaze had been
kindled that very little damage could ensue.
After this brief time of hesitation he turned toward the pile of wood
and shavings once more, with a gesture as if impatient with himself for
delaying.
Then he lighted a match, protecting the tiny flame with both hands until
it was a sturdy blaze, after which, instead of holding it to the
shavings, he threw it away.
For one instant his conscience had triumphed; but it was only for an
instant.
He lighted another match, hurriedly this time, as if fearing he might
not have the courage to apply it, and when it was fully on fire muttered
to himself:
"I'll drop it an' take the chances. If she burns, it's a go, an' if she
don't, I've done as much as I've threatened."
He suited the action to the words, and not daring to wait for the
result, ran hurriedly into the deserted street.
It was his intention to continue on, halting only when having arrived at
his home; but now that the mischief might have been done he was so
thoroughly alarmed that it seemed impossible he could leave the
vicinity.
Partially concealing himself in a doorway he waited almost breathlessly,
hoping fervently the match had been extinguished when it fell, and as
the seconds passed, each one seeming a full minute, a great hope came
into his heart, for he believed chance had decreed that the fire should
not be kindled.
Then a stifled cry of fear burst from his lips, for he had suddenly seen
a bright tongue of flame leap up, and he knew the crime had been
committed in fact as well as spirit.
At this moment he remembered the words of his friends from Brooklyn as
distinctly as if they had but just been spoken, and like a flash came
the realization that perhaps he had done that which would result in the
loss of human life.
The flames increased until they were reflected on the wall of brick in
the rear, and it seemed to Jip as if the shed must already be in a
blaze.
"Why don't somebody send in an alarm?" he said, speaking aloud in his
anxiety, although there was no one at hand to hear him. "Seth an' Dan
will be burned to death if the engines don't get here mighty soon!"
Then came the thought, for he believed the fire was already beyond
control, that it would be impossible to rescue the boys--that he was
indeed a murderer, for it seemed to him as if an exceedingly long time
had elapsed since he first saw the tiny ray of light.
Now his one desire was that an alarm might be sent in, yet no one could
be seen or heard in either direction.
Each moment of delay increased the peril, and when he had waited in most
painful suspense for ten seconds it was impossible to remain inactive
any longer.
Far down the street a red light could be seen, denoting the location of
a fire-alarm station, and he ran toward it as he had never run before,
so nervous when he would have opened the outer door of the box that for
two or three seconds it was impossible to turn the handle.
When he did so the sound of the warning gong, intended to notify the
policeman on that beat that the box was being opened, caused him to
start back in alarm, for he fancied the officers of justice were already
on his trail.
Jip had many times seen a call rung in, and in the merest fraction of
time he recovered from his fears as he understood the cause of this
sudden noise.
Then he opened the outer door and pulled down the lever once; and from
that instant until the first engine appeared, which was Ninety-four, it
seemed to him as if an hour had passed, although in fact the company of
which Seth considered himself in a certain degree a member, had
responded to the call in less than three minutes.
Jip was standing by the signal-box when a rumble and roar in the
distance told of the coming of Ninety-four, and he watched as if
fascinated the fountain of sparks which went up from the smoke-stack;
listened to the sharp clicking of the horses' shoes on the pavement; to
the din of the gongs, and the cries of startled pedestrians in the
rear--hearing everything, seeing everything, but yet all the while as if
in a dream.
Nearer and nearer came the puffing engine drawn by three plunging
horses as if it had been no more than a toy, and then, his brain still
in a whirl, Jip heard as if from afar off, the question:
"Where's the fire?"
"In Baxter's carpenter shop!"
The engine was some distance beyond him by the time he had answered the
question, and from the opposite direction he heard the rush of a second
on-coming machine; then here and there the rumble of wheels and
hoof-beats of horses driven at their utmost speed, until it seemed as if
by that one pull on the lever of the signal-box he had aroused the
entire city.
Now Seth and Dan would be saved if they were yet alive.
At that moment there was no hope in Jip's mind that they could still be
living.
It was as if he had lighted that match an hour ago, so slowly had the
seconds passed, and with the thought of them as dead--burned to death
through his act--came wildest terror.
He fancied every fireman on Ninety-four had recognized him as they rode
past in such mad haste, and knew him to be the one who had committed the
crime.
There was no place in his mind for any thought save that of his own
danger, and instantly he started at full speed down the street, never
daring to so much as glance behind him, although no man pursued.
When the "joker," which is the name given by firemen to the
combination-bell, in Ninety-four's house rang out the number of the call
sent in by Jip, and as the horses, released by the mechanical trip moved
by the joker, dashed out of their stalls, 'Lish Davis believed he knew
beyond a question to what particular building they were summoned.
Instantly that which Seth had told him came into his mind, and with it
the painful thought that perhaps by his own neglect he had contributed
to what might be a fatal disaster.
"And I never so much as warned the policeman on this beat!" he said to
himself as he leaped to his seat on the engine, snapped into place the
belt that would hold him there, and with a quick jerk on the reins
released the harness-catch.
Ninety-Four had seldom left the house more quickly, and certainly the
horses were never urged to a higher rate of speed than now, when 'Lish
Davis charged himself with criminal neglect.
During the minute and a half which intervened before they reached the
station from which the alarm had been sent, the driver of Ninety-four
conceived an absolute affection for the boy who had so persistently
followed up his idea of becoming a fireman, and, prompted by the
prickings of his own conscience, perhaps, he muttered to himself:
"The kid shall go into the Department if I can put him there, providing
it so be we find----"
He did not finish the sentence, for at that instant it was to 'Lish
Davis as if he must in a certain degree take upon himself the results of
this night's work.
When they dashed past the station he needed not Jip's reply to tell him
whence came the glow of light which could now be seen reflected on the
taller buildings, and Ninety-four got water a full two minutes before
any other engine.
"That little bootblack, Seth Bartlett, sleeps in the shed behind the
shop," 'Lish called hoarsely as the men ran swiftly through the
lumber-yard, and, hearing the words even above the tooting of whistles,
the sounding of gongs from the on-coming engines, and the puffing of
steam, Jerry Walters cried:
"I'll look out for him, 'Lish!"
Every man heard the driver's cry, and knew that the amateur fireman was
in danger.
They also knew where he slept, having been given by the boy himself a
description of his home, and with the first crash of Jerry's axe as he
burst in the door of the shed, the men set up a shout which sounded like
music in 'Lish's ears.
It was Jip Collins who had started the fire, and he also was the means
of saving the lives of Seth and Dan after the mischief had been wrought,
for the firemen gained the box-like apartment not one moment too soon.
All unconscious of the danger which threatened, the boys had slept on
until the noisome vapor overcame without awakening them, and when Jerry
carried the two out into the street through the piles of lumber which
were already beginning to blaze, he said to Joe Black as the latter
advanced to help him take the apparently lifeless bodies to one of the
patrol-wagons drawn up near at hand:
"I'm afraid the amateur has got more of a dose than he can well stand."
Ten minutes later, when Seth woke to consciousness, Dan was lying by his
side in the bottom of the wagon, and 'Lish Davis bent over him.
"It must be that Jip Collins did what he threatened," he said, speaking
with difficulty because of the parched, burning sensation in his throat.
"Ay, lad, that's what he did, and this town won't be big enough to hold
him after daylight to-morrow morning."
"But why are you here, Mr. Davis? What about the team?"
"Ben Dunton is on hand, and I'm off duty for the time being till I can
make sure whether you're alive or not."
Seth knew that Ben Dunton was 'Lish's "relief," therefore the driver was
not neglecting his duty by thus staying with him.
"Is it a bad fire?" he asked.
"The shop and about half the lumber-yard will go. It's nothing to speak
of, lad, save for the fact of its having been kindled that murder might
be done."
"I don't believe Jip Collins really meant to kill us. He most likely
thought we would get out before it was very bad. Is Dan all right?"
"There's nothing much the matter with me," Master Roberts replied in
what he intended should be a cheery tone. "I've been awake quite a
spell, an' thought you'd never open your eyes."
"Sure you're all right?" 'Lish asked, shaking Seth gently as if doubting
whether the boy was fully conscious.
"Of course I am, an' now we're inside the lines there's a good chance
for me to look 'round after points. I'm going into the yard to see what
Ninety-four's men are doin'."
"I reckon you'll lay where you are for a spell," 'Lish said with a grim
smile, speaking half to himself, and in such a low tone that neither of
the boys heard the words.
Seth attempted to rise; but had no more than gotten up on one elbow when
a most violent nausea assailed him, and he fell back on the rubber
blankets which had served as pillow, feeling much as he
looked--desperately ill.
"Don't feel like wiggling 'round to any great extent, eh?" 'Lish asked,
understanding full well the boy's sensations, and so relieved at knowing
his life had been saved that the temporary sickness seemed as nothing.
"I don't see what makes me feel so bad," and Seth did his best to speak
in a careless tone.
"If it so be you ever get into the Department, lad, this ain't the first
dose you'll take, nor the heaviest. It's the smoke which came nigh to
strangling you, and there ain't a man that answers to Ninety-four's
roll-call who can't tell exactly how you feel."
"I've got to brace up pretty soon, or Dan an' me will have to walk
'round the streets the balance of the night, now our housekeepin' is
broken up."
"Don't worry about that, lad. I reckon the captain will give you a
shelter till daylight, and after that we'll see what can be done."
Then 'Lish, understanding that he could render no assistance, left the
two boys to join his comrades, who were fighting the fire as gallantly
in the lumber-yard as they would have done at a palatial residence.
"So Jip Collins had sand enough to try an' burn us out, didn't he?" Dan
said interrogatively. "I'll run across that duffer one of these days,
and when I get through with him he won't set anybody else's shed on
fire!"
"The police will most likely get hold of him, 'cause Mr. Davis knows all
about what he threatened, an' even if Sam Barney didn't let out the
whole story, the driver will."
Having said this Seth relapsed into silence, for his bodily condition
was such that it seemed a severe exertion to so much as speak.
The fire was subdued, but not extinguished, when the patrol-wagon was
driven away with Ben Dunton on the front seat, and Dan asked in a tone
of awe:
"Do you s'pose they're goin' to carry us up to the engine-house?"
"It seemed as though that was what Mr. Davis meant; but yet I'm afraid
we're bound for the hospital."
"Well, say, you don't catch me inside of one! I ain't goin' to flock in
with a lot of dyin' folks jest 'cause I've got a little smoke down my
throat," and Dan, who was not suffering as much as his partner,
attempted to scramble to his feet, whereat Ben Dunton shouted gruffly:
"Lay still there, you two kids, or I'll come down and know the reason
why!"
"We ain't goin' to no hospital!" Dan cried angrily.
"Who asked you to? You don't allow we're running an ambulance for such
kids as you, eh?"
"Where are we goin'?"
"Lay still and you'll find out."
Seth had learned enough regarding a fireman's life to know that the
first engine at the scene of a conflagration must be the last to leave,
therefore wherever Ben Dunton might be taking them, there was little
chance of seeing 'Lish Davis until the following morning.
To the great delight of both the boys the patrol-wagon was drawn up in
front of Ninety-four's house, and Dunton asked:
"Can you lads get out alone, or shall I lend a hand?"
"Are we goin' to stay here all night?" Dan asked suspiciously.
"Of course you are. It's the captain's orders, and you're to have 'Lish
Davis's bed."
This was sufficient to cause a decided change in Seth's condition.
The fact that he was to sleep in the engine-house as if he had been a
member of the Department was so great an honor that for the time being
his illness was banished.
The boys alighted from the vehicle without assistance and followed Ben
Dunton into the building, where a report was made to the house-watchman
regarding the guests, who were then conducted to the floor above.
"There's where you're to sleep," the fireman said, pointing to the
driver's bed. "And you want to get in some precious big licks, for it
ain't often 'Lish Davis puts himself out in this fashion for anybody,
especially when he's likely to be on duty six or eight hours. No
skylarking, now, but get between the sheets as quick as you know how."
No second bidding was necessary, and five minutes later the two boys
were enjoying a greater degree of comfort than they had ever fancied
would be possible, Seth refusing to join in the conversation which his
partner would have started, in order to give himself wholly up to
building air-castles, all based on the Fire Department with himself
rising from the grade of recruit to that of battalion-chief.
Slumber closed their eyelids in due time, however, and they journeyed so
far into the recesses of Dreamland that neither heard the home-coming of
Ninety-four, nor the bustle consequent upon cleaning up and making ready
for duty once more.
It was seven o'clock in the morning when Seth awakened, and for the
first time since having been told he was to sleep in 'Lish's bed, he
realized how much inconvenience and possible discomfort he might have
caused the driver.
"Say, Dan, we did a mighty mean thing to sleep here, an' perhaps Mr.
Davis had to set up all night. Hustle your clothes on as quick as you
know how, so's we can get down-stairs an' tell him we're ashamed of it."
Neither of the boys was feeling any the worse for the painful experience
of the previous night, and in a remarkably short space of time they were
ready to descend, but not by the stairs.
For the first time in his life Seth enjoyed the pleasure of sliding down
the pole to the floor below, and this method of descending served to
strengthen certain portions of the air-castles he had built just before
falling asleep.
The driver was found grooming one of the horses, and greeted the boys
before either could speak, by saying cheerily:
"Well, how are you getting along after your dose of last night?"
"First-rate, sir. We're as well as ever; but feelin' mighty mean to
think we used your bed an' kept you up all night."
"You didn't do anything of the kind, lad. We got back about four
o'clock, and I found plenty of spare beds for the short nap I wanted. I
reckon you lost everything you owned, eh?"
"Yes, sir; but that wasn't very much. My box, brushes, and what we had
brought home for breakfast."
"How will you get another outfit?"
"I guess I've got money enough for a second-hand box and brushes; but if
I haven't some of the fellers will lend me what's needed, an' I'm goin'
now to pick up the things, so's to get back in time to do the shinin'
here."
"There are brushes and blacking belonging to the house, and you can use
them this morning, which will give you a little extra towards buying a
new outfit. Haven't been to breakfast yet, have you?"
"That don't count, even if we haven't, 'cause we can get something
later," and Seth, knowing where to find the tools of his trade, set
about his customary morning's work, while Dan lounged here and there,
feeling that he was a very fortunate lad in thus being a guest of
Ninety-four's men.
Half an hour later, in company with Dan, Seth, richer by thirty cents,
set out in search of a second-hand box and brushes.
Save in the way of questioning him concerning the boy who was believed
to have started the fire in the lumber-yard, none of the men treated the
bootblack other than in their customary manner, and Seth departed with
the fear in his mind that they were glad to be rid of him.
No sooner had he gone, however, than 'Lish Davis addressed three or four
of his comrades who were near at hand, saying emphatically:
"Look here, that boy Seth is bent on getting into the Department, and I
tell you when a lad sticks to one thing as he's stuck to that for the
last year, some one ought to lend him a hand."
"You ain't thinking of getting him taken on here, are you, 'Lish?"
Walters asked with a laugh.
"I've got a plan in my head, and allow that the rest of you can help me
through with it. If all hands of us turn to we can get the boy a job at
headquarters, and he ain't the lad I've taken him to be if he don't put
himself in the way of being received as a recruit when he's grown
stouter and a little older. Now, such a lift as that won't be much for
us, and it may be the making of him."
"Do you allow it's a good idea, 'Lish Davis, to help a boy into the
Department when he might learn a trade which wouldn't be that of risking
his life two or three times every day?"
"Would you turn tinker, or tailor, or candlestick-maker, Jerry Walters,
in order to avoid risking your life two or three times a day?"
"It's different with me, 'Lish. I've been here so long I couldn't give
it up."
"And it would be almost as hard for that lad to give up his idea. I
tried to frighten it out of him when he first came around here; but he
didn't scare worth a cent, and I tell you again that he'll make a
cracking good man for some company one of these days."
"If there's anything I can do to help the thing along, you may count me
in," Walters replied, and the other members of the company who heard the
remark pledged themselves to the same thing.
"We'll let him hoe his own row till everything is ready, 'cause it may
do harm if he gets to thinking somebody is trying to give him a lift."
"What's to be done with the kid who started the fire?"
"I repeated to the captain all the "amateur" told me, so I reckon he'll
be attended to. Is Ben Dunton in the house?"
"Upstairs asleep."
"Then I'm going out for a bit. I want to see the battalion-chief."
"Going to strike for Seth while the iron's hot, eh?"
"That's what I'm thinking of, Jerry," and while Seth Bartlett was making
ready to continue his business of blacking boots, 'Lish Davis began in
his behalf the efforts which he believed would result favorably, so far
as the boy's ambition was concerned.
CHAPTER IV.
SAM THE DETECTIVE.
The sidewalk merchants in the vicinity of the post-office were well
informed of Seth Bartlett's loss by the time he arrived in that section
of the city.
Those who had not heard the story from Dan Roberts read an account of
the destruction of Baxter Brothers' carpenter-shop in the morning papers
during the early part of the day before the business rush began, and
thus it was Seth found himself the centre of a sympathizing crowd of
acquaintances as soon as he crossed City Hall Park.
Master Barney had but just returned from a journey supposed to have been
taken in search of the boy who had robbed him, and he immediately cast
aside his own business troubles in order to "work the case against Jip
Collins," as he expressed it.
Sam was among the throng gathered to meet the homeless bootblack, and
when others would have asked for further particulars regarding the
conflagration, even though Dan had given all the information in his
possession, the amateur detective checked the curious ones by saying
sharply:
"This ain't any time to talk foolishness, 'cause if I'm goin' to take up
this case I must get right down to it before Jip has a chance to run
very far."
"What do you mean by takin' up the case?" Seth asked in surprise, and
Dan Roberts replied quickly:
"Sam says he's willin' to go after Jip Collins, an' will stick at it
till he catches him."
"That's what I've 'greed to, an' I'm in dead earnest, Seth. Of course
you can't afford to pay a reg'lar detective a whole lot of money jest to
find Jip for you; but I can do the work as well, an' you needn't put out
a cent more'n I'm called on to spend for expenses."
"What do _you_ want of Jip?" Seth asked in surprise.
"To have him 'rested for settin' fire to your shed, of course."
"_I_ don't want anythin' of the kind. I reckon he's sorry enough for
what he did without my tryin' to make more trouble for him."
"Do you mean to say you're willin' he should burn the shed an' come
pretty nigh killin' you?"
"Course I ain't willin'; but now it's been done there's no need for me
to try to put him in jail, 'cause it won't do any good, an' I'd feel bad
to think any feller I knew was up to Sing Sing doin' time."
It was evident that but few of the sidewalk merchants agreed with Seth
in the view he took of the matter.
The majority of them believed Jip should be pursued until captured, and
then punished to the full extent of the law.
Some were inclined to the opinion that Sam Barney might possibly succeed
in running down the culprit, but these credulous ones were the most
intimate friends of the amateur detective, and by far the larger number
of the throng thought a formal complaint should be lodged with the
officers of the law against the boy who had so nearly caused the death
of Seth and Dan.
Sam Barney was literally astounded at the forgiving spirit which the
would-be fireman displayed, and this first burst of astonishment soon
gave way to something like anger.
He said in what was intended to be a fine tone of irony:
"Well, you're too good, Seth Bartlett, that's what's the matter with
you! Here's Dan been tellin' that you were jest about the same as dead
when Ninety-four's men got in there. The snuggest house in town burned,
an' you thrown out of a home! After all that you've got the nerve to
say there's no reason why we should catch Jip Collins! I ain't certain
as you've got anythin' to do with it. S'posen the cops find out what was
done--an' most likely Ninety-four's driver that you claim is a chum of
yours will tell 'em--how are you goin' to help it if they try to find
him?"
"I can't, an' that's a fact; but I haven't got to start the thing
myself."
"What would you do if you should meet him right here this very minute?"
"I'm 'fraid I'd thump him."
"'Fraid!" Sam repeated sarcastically. "Why, you ought'er pound his head
off, an' then have him jugged."
"You see, it's jest like this, fellers," Seth said in an apologetic tone
as he looked around at his friends and acquaintances, understanding full
well that they disapproved of his leniency. "It's jest like this: If a
feller gets to fightin' on the street he's likely to be pulled in for
it, an' then perhaps he has to go down to the Island for ten days or so.
Now you all know I'm tryin' to work into the Department, an' what kind
of show would I stand if there was a record like that against me?
Fellers who get up a name for fightin' don't 'mount to very much,
'cordin' to what I've seen, an' that's why I said I was 'fraid I might
thump Jip. You see, what's done now will stand against me when I'm old
enough to be a fireman, an' I've got to look out mighty careful for
that. Now, so far's puttin' Jip in jail goes, I don't want anythin' to
do with it."
"I can't see how that's goin' to give you a bad name," some one of the
throng cried.
"I reckon it couldn't; but it might stand against Jip when he grows up,
an' if I should let Sam take the case I'd be hurtin' Jip more'n he did
me, so it wouldn't be fair."
"But you don't allow folks can go 'round settin' fire to houses an'
tryin' to burn other people up without havin' to pay for it?"
"Course I don't, an' Jip ought'er get it hot for what he's done; but I
won't be the one to send him up the river."
"If that's the way Seth feels 'bout it we haven't got any right to
kick," Dan suggested, and Sam Barney cried sharply:
"I say we have! Jest 'cause Seth is gettin' so awful good on account of
wantin' to go into the Department, there's no reason why we should let
Jip Collins sneak away after what's been done, an' I'll take up the case
on my own hook rather than see him wiggle out of it."
"Have you got the feller yet what stole your money?" Dan asked in a
meaning tone, whereat the remainder of the company set up a loud shout
of derision, much to the amateur detective's discomfort.
"If I haven't that's no sign I can't. I reckon I know enough 'bout the
business to handle two cases at the same time, if I want to, an' you'll
see if I don't pull Jip Collins over the coals before I'm a week older."
Then Sam stalked away with the bearing of one who feels that he has been
injured, and the remainder of the party discussed the events of the
previous night without further reference to the arrest of the evil-doer.
When the subject had been exhausted Seth made inquiries concerning any
bootblack's outfit which might be for sale, and half an hour later he
was once more the owner of a box and brushes.
"The fire has cost me seventy cents, besides the breakfast we lost when
the place was burned," he said to Dan, and the latter replied
mournfully:
"I'd have been willin' to give a good deal more'n that right out of my
own pocket, poor as trade has been, than to lose the snuggest
lodgin'-place in this town. We'll never find anythin' that will come up
with that shed."
"Cryin' won't help out on it. What we've got to do is to hunt up another
shanty where we can bunk in without givin' up too much money, for after
havin' to buy a new outfit I can't afford to fool away good dollars
payin' for a bed at a reg'lar lodgin'-house."
"You'll never get anythin' that will come up to the shanty Jip Collins
set on fire," Dan replied sadly, and as the realization of their loss
came to him with redoubled force now that the time had arrived when they
must search for new lodgings, he gave way to anger against the boy who
had wrought them so much mischief, as if believing this would mend
matters.
Seth waited patiently until his partner had indulged in such outburst
several moments, after which he said sagely:
"Now, look here, Dan, scoldin' won't fix things the least little bit,
an' there's no sense in keepin' on tellin 'bout how big a villain Jip
Collins is. What we've got to do is to hustle, an' in the long run we'll
find that will pay better'n ravin'. Do you know of any place where we
can stop for a night or two till I've had time to look 'round more?"
"If I did I'd taken it long ago, instead of payin' you fifteen cents a
week for half of your quarters."
"Well, we've got to find one; that's all there is to it. Now, s'posen,
instead of tryin' to do any more business to-day, we mosey right along
about it."
"Where you goin'?"
"I don't exactly know. We'll kind-er loaf 'round; that's the way I found
the carpenter-shop, an' if it turns out we don't see a place, why, it'll
be a case of puttin' up the stuff for one night's lodgin's."
"I ain't sure as I've got money enough left to pay for a reg'lar bed."
"I reckon I can squeeze out what'll pay the bills if you're broke. Now,
come on."
Unconsciously Seth led the way toward Ninety-four's house, not really
being aware he was proceeding in that direction, and after walking
several blocks in silence Dan asked almost sharply:
"Are you countin' on their lettin' us hang 'round the engine-house?"
"Course not. The firemen can't do anythin' like that, you know. We was
mighty lucky to get a bed there last night, an' wouldn't had it except
that we'd been burned out."
"Then what are you goin' up this way for?"
"There's jest as much chance 'round here as anywhere, an' of course I'd
sooner live near Ninety-four, 'cause I do a good deal of shinin' for the
men. Then ag'in, I don't want to lose run of 'em, for perhaps some day
'Lish Davis'll give me a lift into the Department."
"There's no use lookin' here, 'cause we'd known if there was any place
that would suit us."
"I ain't so sure of that. You see, we wasn't lookin' for one, an' now if
we go along with our eyes open there's no tellin' but what we may
run----"
Seth ceased speaking very suddenly, for at that instant the clanging of
gongs could be heard far up the street, and Dan exclaimed:
"That sounds like Ninety-four."
"Course it is. I'd know her if she was in the middle of a hundred, an'
all of 'em comin' straight for me."
There was no longer a thought in the mind of either of the boys
regarding the necessity of finding a home that night.
Under no ordinary circumstances would Seth have allowed himself to be
prevented from getting possible "points," and although Dan did not share
in the aspirations of his friend, he was equally excited by the prospect
of "going to a fire."
The two waited breathlessly an instant, expecting Ninety-four would
continue straight on toward them, when from the opposite direction came
the clatter of wheels and the booming notes of the gongs telling of the
coming of a second engine, and they knew that at some point midway the
two engines would be turned at right angles with their present course.
"Come this way! It looks to me as though Ninety-four was slackenin' up!"
Master Bartlett cried as he darted forward, and Dan readily followed the
advice, for while he did not approve of his friend's devotion to the
Fire Department, he understood full well that Seth was thoroughly
conversant with all such matters as might be learned by an outsider.
"There she goes, an' I wouldn't wonder if the alarm came from some of
them big storage warehouses, for Ninety-four is headin' straight toward
them."
The first engine had swung sharply around to the left, and the driver of
the second was urging his horses forward at yet greater speed, in the
hope, perhaps, of getting first water, when the two boys dashed up the
street at their best pace, for to Seth at least there was but one engine
and one point of attraction at any conflagration, however extensive.
While it is probable he could have "picked up as many points" from other
companies, it did not so appear to him, and in his mind it was only from
the crew of Ninety-four he could gather such information as was most
desired.
Before they neared the station from which the alarm had been sent the
throng on the sidewalks, added to from nearly every house, had so
increased that it was only by taking to the street regardless of the
danger to be apprehended from hose-carts, hook-and-ladder trucks,
patrol-wagons, or water-towers, that the boys could make any
satisfactory headway, and because of their being thus hampered in their
movements Ninety-four's men had already begun their work when Seth and
Dan arrived at a point outside the fire lines where they could see the
machine.
Here a single policeman kept the crowd in check, and Seth whispered
excitedly to his partner:
"Now's our time! If we're anyways smart we'll get in before that copper
can catch us. Wait till somebody tries to pass, an' then scoot. Don't
stop if he yells, 'cause he won't dare leave here to chase us."
"I thought 'Lish Davis said he'd have his eye out so's you couldn't get
into the fire lines?"
"That's what he said."
"Ain't you 'fraid he'll be mad if he finds you in there?"
"He knows I've got to do this thing, else I'll never get posted on the
business; but of course if we should sneak in an' he told us to march
straight out ag'in, I'd feel as though I ought'er go. We won't stand
very near Ninety-four, an' then there'll be less chance of his knowin'
we're around."
The opportunity which Seth desired came a few seconds later.
Two gentlemen who were curious to see the workings of the Fire
Department nearer at hand than was possible while they remained outside
the lines, approached the officer on duty with the idea that it was
only necessary to bluster or threaten a little in order to pass him
without difficulty, and while they were alternately entreating and
threatening Seth gave the signal.
Stooping until their heads were beneath the rope, the two boys darted up
the street, which was covered with a veritable network of hose, and
before the officer was fully aware of their intentions they were lost to
his view amid the panting, quivering monsters of steel and iron whose
mission is to save, rather than destroy.
"There's 'Lish Davis on the engine!" Dan said, speaking indistinctly
because of his breath, which came thick and fast. "It looks to me as if
he has seen us."
"We'll keep over this way a bit where there's no danger of his comin'.
Watch our men try to get up that stairway! Ain't they the dandies!"
The fire was, as Seth had first surmised, in a storage warehouse, and it
appeared from the outside as if the entire second floor of the building
was in a blaze.
The men had battered in the doors only to be met by a mass of flames
which seemed to roll in huge columns down the staircase to the new
outlet which had thus been made, and just as the boys arrived the brave
fellows were momentarily beaten back by the scorching element until
they stood on the first landing in plain sight of Seth and Dan.
Jerry Walters and Joe Black were at the nozzle, with Ben Dunton close in
the rear, and at the moment Seth called his partner's attention to the
scene the captain of Ninety-four shouted encouragingly:
"Now, hit it up, boys! Get in there! Get in! Get in!"
Then it was the flames retreated momentarily, and those who were doing
such gallant battle advanced step by step up the stairs seemingly into
the very midst of the fiery cloud, until they were entirely hidden by
the downpour of black smoke which came from the open doorway in volume
sufficient to drive back even those on the sidewalk.
While this desperate fight was in progress other men had raised a ladder
and were prying open one of the iron shutters on the second floor in
order to use more hose, and, yet trembling with apprehension for the
safety of those friends who had last been seen in the very midst of the
fiery element, Seth involuntarily glanced toward the remainder of the
company on the outside, while Dan looked back to make certain 'Lish
Davis was not preparing to drive them from their place of vantage.
That which he saw reassured him so far as any immediate danger of such
kind was to be feared, for the driver of Ninety-four was unhitching his
horses, knowing from the general appearance of the blazing building that
the company had a long task before them.
At that instant a crashing, rending noise as of an explosion sounded
high above the din, and one of the iron shutters which the men had been
trying to force open was hurled from its fastenings and thrown outward
into the street, falling within half a dozen feet of where Davis was
busy with his horses.
Following it was a mighty rush of flame as if the interior was a
seething mass of fire; loud shouts of command rang out, and then came
even above all the din the clatter of a horse's iron-shod hoofs as he
dashed madly away in affright. Involuntarily Seth had followed with his
eyes the flight of the shutter, and, unconscious of even having made a
movement, he sprang toward Ninety-four as if in the time of danger that
was his post of duty.
He saw the heavy mass of metal as it struck the pavement, and instantly
afterward was aware of what very few gave heed to because of the fact
that all eyes were fixed upon the building, from whence might naturally
be expected another explosion.
The nigh horse of the team, one that had been in service only a few
weeks, leaped forward in frantic terror, and by some strange mishap was
dragging his driver behind him.
At the moment Seth had no thought of possible danger to himself. His
mind was upon 'Lish Davis's peril to the exclusion of everything else,
and almost involuntarily he sprang toward the maddened animal, Dan close
at his heels.
It was by accident rather than good judgment that he succeeded in
gaining a hold of the bridle just above the bit, swinging himself
outward by aid of his elbow to avoid being struck by the beast's
forefeet.
His weight was not sufficient to bring the frightened animal to a
standstill instantly; but he succeeded in checking his speed so far that
the engineer of Ninety-four had time to come to his assistance, and
between the two the runaway was stopped.
A buckle on Davis's coat had caught in one of the rings of the harness,
and this it was which held him prisoner after having been thrown from
his feet by the animal's sudden plunge.
"Are you hurt?" Seth asked anxiously, still retaining his hold of the
bridle, and the driver replied grimly as he scrambled to his feet:
"A man is bound to get a few knocks after such a course of treatment;
but I reckon that all the harm which has been done is a little skin
broken here and there. Do you know, lad, it's a mighty dangerous thing
to jump for a horse in that fashion?"
[Illustration: SETH CATCHES THE HORSE. _Page_ 68.]
"I caught him all right, sir."
"Yes, that I know, else I wouldn't be standing on my feet this minute;
but suppose you had missed your hold? He would have had you under his
feet in a jiffy."
"But he didn't, so I can't see as that counts very much; but all the
same, I was willin' to take the chances."
'Lish Davis, having assured himself that he had spoken correctly so far
as personal injuries were concerned, took charge of the horse; the
engineer went back to his post, and Seth, fearing lest he should be
driven outside the line, was making his way toward the building once
more with Dan by his side when the driver shouted:
"Come back here, you young rattle-brain! How did you get inside the
lines?"
"Crept under the rope when the copper wasn't lookin'. It ain't any very
hard job to do that."
"Don't you know you're liable to be arrested for doing anything of that
sort?"
"Well, we had to take the chances, you see, 'cause it wouldn't do to
miss a fire like this," Seth replied, half apologetically, and Dan cried
in his shrill tone:
"It's mighty lucky for you, Mr. Davis, that he did sneak inside this
once."
"I ain't likely to forget that, you rapscallion; but it has got nothing
to do with you lads being where you don't belong, and that's right about
here."
"Please don't send us away!" Seth cried imploringly. "We'll keep out of
sight so the chief won't see us, an' nobody will know where we are."
"I'll take precious good care you can't get into more mischief. Come
over here, both of you, an' stick right by Ninety-four till I give the
word to leave. Don't you dare to so much as move till the engine does,
an' if there's any more mishaps, steer clear of them instead of doing
your level best to run into trouble. Are you hearing what I'm saying?"
"Yes, sir," Seth replied meekly, and then the boys obeyed readily, for
Mr. Davis had stationed them in the very place above all others where
they could see everything which occurred, and Dan said in a tone of
satisfaction:
"It was a mighty good thing, your stoppin' that horse. You never had a
better chance to see a fire than this is, an' we'd better hold on to it
precious close."
"That's a fact; but I ain't gettin' so many points as I might if we
walked 'round."
"You'd better be satisfied with what's a soft snap, even if you don't
get points," Master Roberts replied grimly, and then he gave himself up
to the pleasure of watching the battle between the firemen and the
elements, for a third alarm had been rung in, and the number of men at
work round about was more than either he or Seth had ever seen engaged
at any one time before.
The hours passed to these two small but decidedly interested spectators
as if they were composed of no more than one quarter the usual number of
minutes, and when night came the conflagration was subdued but not
extinguished.
Ninety-four had gotten first water, and, consequently, would be the last
to leave the scene.
Here and there the companies dismissed from this particular duty were
taking up their hose, or already driving away in order to be ready for
the next alarm.
The throng of spectators just outside the lines had diminished in number
until no more than an hundred remained, and 'Lish Davis came up with the
appearance of one who has already done his full duty.
"Hello, Amateur! Still here, eh?"
"You told us to stay, sir."
"I didn't allow that you'd hold on to go out with us. We're like to be
here till well towards morning, an' if you lads have got the price of a
bed about your clothes you'd better be leaving. If you haven't, I'll
ante up something to hire one."
"We've got the money, sir," Seth replied; "but seein' 's we belong to
Ninety-four jest now, why can't we stay till she pulls out?"
"Please yourself, Amateur, please yourself," was the grim reply, and as
the driver turned away he muttered, "If that bloomin' little duffer
don't get into the Department it won't be 'Lish Davis's fault, an' that
goes for a fact."
CHAPTER V.
TARDY REPENTANCE.
Seth was as happy and proud as a boy well could be.
Never before had he dared to remain very long near any particular engine
lest some of the firemen should take it upon themselves to send him
outside the lines, consequently all his "points" had been gathered as he
moved from place to place.
Now, however, he was in a certain sense attached to Ninety-four, and
each member of the company had some kindly word with which to greet him,
for it had become known to all that if the amateur did not actually save
'Lish Davis's life, he had assisted in preventing that gentleman from
receiving severe injury.
Dan was enjoying the advantages thus arising from his partner's
popularity, which was quite sufficient for him, since, not aspiring to
become a fireman, he thought only of the present moment, and the
privilege of remaining by the engine as if he were really a member of
the Department was some thing of which he could boast in the future
among his comrades.
It is true there was little of interest to be seen after the fire was
apparently extinguished, when the men had nothing more to do than remain
on the lookout for any smoldering embers which might be fanned into a
blaze; but Seth's interest was almost as great as when the flames were
fiercest.
Shortly after sunset hot coffee and sandwiches were served to the weary
firemen, and Master Bartlett believed he had taken a long stride toward
the goal he had set himself, when the captain shouted:
"Come here, you two kids, and get your rations. While doing duty with
Ninety-four you're entitled to all that's going."
Dan ran forward eagerly, intent only on getting his share of the food,
for he was very hungry; but Seth walked slowly in order to prolong the
pleasure of obeying the captain's command, and could almost fancy he was
wearing the city's uniform.
He stood by 'Lish Davis's side when the lunch was passed around, and
that gentleman said grimly as Seth blew on the steaming coffee to cool
it:
"You mustn't do that if you ever count on being a fireman, Amateur."
"Why not?" and Seth looked up in surprise.
"Because you must get used to hot things. Supposing you could drink that
while it was boiling? Don't you reckon you'd stand the heat from a
blaze better and longer than them who need to have it mighty nigh cold?"
This seemed reasonable to Seth, and without stopping to further consider
the matter he instantly raised the cup to his lips, drinking the hot
liquid until the pain was so great as to bring tears to his eyes.
Then he lowered the cup slowly, striving manfully to repress any sign of
suffering, and the driver gazed at him admiringly.
"That kid has got sand, eh?" Davis said half interrogatively as he
turned toward Jerry Walters, and the latter replied:
"He showed it when he jumped for the horse. I believe if you should tell
him to roll over on the embers in that 'ere cellar, he'd do it."
"I guess you're right, Jerry. Here, Amateur, don't try to drink any more
of that coffee till it cools a bit! I was only stuffing you when I said
you'd stand a better show of being a fireman if you could scald your
throat without feeling it."
This evidence of solicitude for his welfare was sufficient reward for
all Seth had suffered, and he glanced at Dan as if to make certain that
young gentleman was fully aware of the great honor which was being
bestowed upon his partner.
Dan had no eyes except for the rapidly decreasing store of sandwiches,
and no thought save as to how he might get his full share without
appearing absolutely greedy, therefore all this by-play had passed while
he remained in ignorance of it.
Once his hunger was appeased Dan curled himself up on a bale of
half-burned merchandise near at hand, and immediately fell asleep.
For him this association with Ninety-four's men was nothing of more
importance than the gaining of a meal and so much of a night's lodging
as might be possible; but to Seth it was as if the gates guarding the
approach to his desires had been left ajar, permitting him to obtain a
glimpse of that goal he so ardently longed to reach, and he patrolled
the ruins of the building as if upon his shoulders rested all the
responsibility of making certain the fire had been wholly extinguished.
Not until fully an hour after midnight was the welcome word given for
Ninety-four to pull out, and Seth awakened his partner lest he should be
in the way of the tired men.
"Get a move on you!" he shouted in Dan's ear as he shook him roughly.
"There's nothin' more to be done here, an' we don't want to act like as
if we was hangin' 'round, when the machine goes into her quarters."
"Why don't you kind er loaf here till they have hitched up, an' perhaps
we'll get another chance to stay in the engine-house?" Dan asked
sleepily.
"Because I'd be ashamed to do anythin' like that. Get up so's we can be
off before they pull out."
Jerry Walters had overheard this brief conversation, although neither of
the boys was aware of the fact, and he asked as the two were making
their way out through and over the debris into the darkness:
"Where are you kids going?"
"I reckon it's time we was home," Seth replied, giving his partner a
warning shake lest he should say that which would seem to indicate that
they were sadly in need of a bed.
"What do you call home now the carpenter-shop has gone up in smoke?"
"We haven't hired any house yet; but we've got our eye on one up in
Fifth Avenoo, an' if the price ain't more'n we've got in our pockets, I
reckon we'll take it."
"Where are you counting on sleeping to-night?"
"Most anywhere; it don't go hard with Dan an' me to find a place," Seth
replied with an assumption of carelessness, and again shaking his
partner to remind him that there must be no approach to begging.
"Look here, Amateur, I don't reckon you know where you're going to
sleep!"
"We'll turn in somewhere; that part of it will be all right. So long!"
"Hold on here, you kid!" and Jerry Walters spoke in a tone which sounded
unusually stern. "Have you been with Ninety-four's crew at this 'ere
fire, or not?"
"I reckon we have," Seth replied, with a laugh.
"Then we'll take care you have a roof over your heads for the balance of
this night. Wait till 'Lish Davis shows up, and see what he has to say
about letting the kid who pulled him out of a big hole go off to bunk in
the streets. Come back, I say, till the driver gets here."
"We ain't begging for a bed, Mr. Walters," Seth said decidedly, as he
obeyed the command, "an' if we turn anybody out as we did last
night----"
"If you _was_ begging a bed I reckon you wouldn't get it from me; but
since you're so mighty independent I'm just contrary enough to see that
you have one. I reckon it won't strain the rules very hard if you sleep
on the straw, an' that's about the best you'll get up at the house
to-night, unless another alarm is sent in."
At this moment 'Lish Davis returned with the horses, and Jerry Walters
held a short, whispered conversation with him, at the conclusion of
which the latter said gruffly:
"Amateur, go on with your partner up to the house--there's no need of
your riding--an' wait there till I come. We ain't going to have any
sulking jest because we've taken it into our heads to see that you get
some sleep 'twixt now and morning."
"We ain't sulkin', Mr. Davis," Seth made haste to say, "an' we'll go
wherever you say; but I don't want you to think we can't find a
lodgin'-place."
"Get on with you!" the driver roared as if in a fury of passion, and
when the boys obeyed he said in a low tone to Jerry Walters:
"The Amateur has got a good bit of spirit in him, and that's what I like
to see. He shall come into the Department, eh?"
"I'd like to see him there, for sure, and hope you'll be able to work
it."
"I don't know as a fireman's life counts much to the city; but if it
does something ought'er be done for the Amateur, 'cause if it hadn't
been for him there'd be one driver short in the Department by this
time."
Dan was in high glee at the prospect of spending another night in the
engine-house, and said in a tone of satisfaction as the two made their
way rapidly up the street:
"This is great luck, eh?"
"Yes, though I almost wish we was to shirk for ourselves."
"What's makin' you so foolish all of a sudden? Don't you think a bed on
the straw in Ninety-four's house is better'n bunkin' in anywhere, or
perhaps walkin' the streets for the rest of the night?"
"Of course it is; but I'm 'fraid the men will think we hung 'round for
jest such a chance."
"After your stoppin' that hoss in time to save 'Lish Davis from gettin'
all mashed up, I don't reckon they can accuse you of coaxin' for a bed."
Seth made no reply to this remark.
He appreciated the invitation which had been given, even more highly
than did Dan, yet feared it might appear to some of the company as if he
should have gone away when the fire was gotten under control, and that
by waiting when there was really nothing to be seen he had laid himself
open to the possible charge of "hangin' 'round."
If Dan Roberts expected Seth would be petted and praised because of
having rendered such a signal service to the driver of Ninety-four, he
was disappointed.
The two boys arrived at the house a few moments in advance of the
engine, and Seth at once set about trying to make himself useful in the
work of "cleaning up," with the result that he rendered no slight
assistance to the weary men; but yet not one of them commented upon the
fact, or even so much as thanked him.
After the horses were cared for 'Lish Davis went to where Seth was at
work and said gruffly, as if offended:
"I've shaken some straw out for you kids, an' when you're through with
that job, turn in. Don't get to skylarkin', but keep quiet."
Then the driver went upstairs.
Dan, who was not in favor of working save when it might be absolutely
necessary, crept slyly to the straw and lay down; but Seth continued at
his self-imposed task, and gained much pleasure thereby, for the men
treated the matter as if it was proper he should perform his share of
the labor, which made it seem very much as if he was in fact a member of
the company.
Not until fully an hour after the engine had arrived at quarters did
Seth "turn in," and then he was so weary that his eyes closed in slumber
almost as soon as he was stretched at full length on the straw.
The last thought in his mind was a pleasing one; none of the company had
thanked him for assisting in the work, and this was exactly as he would
have had it.
It seemed to the boys as if they had no more than fallen asleep,
although as a matter of fact they had both been in Dreamland fully two
hours, when the clanging of the gong, the thud of horses' feet on the
floor, and the rapid movements of the men aroused them.
Seth had longed for and dreamed of just such an opportunity as this.
To go out with Ninety-four from quarters was very near to being a member
of the Department, and he made all haste to station himself by the big
doors ready to follow the engine.
"Get out of there, Amateur!" Mr. Davis shouted as he swung himself into
the driver's seat. "One fire in a night is enough for you. Lay down an'
sleep; then you'll be in better trim to help with the clean-up when we
get back."
Under no circumstances would Seth have ventured to remonstrate against
any order 'Lish Davis might give, and even had he been disposed to do
so, there was not time.
The driver had hardly ceased speaking before the doors were swung open,
and Ninety-four was drawn out with a rush and a clatter that sounded
like sweetest music in Seth's ears.
"'Lish kind er took the wind out of your sails that time, Amateur," the
house-watchman said with a smile as he closed the heavy doors. "Ain't
one fire in twenty-four hours enough for you?"
"I did _so_ want to go out once with Ninety-four, an' it seems too bad
to miss this chance for I'm not likely to get another."
"Why not?"
"'Cause I can't expect to sleep here very often, an' there's no show of
my happenin' 'round at the very minute an alarm comes in."
"Don't be so certain about that. You'll go out with them yet, or I'm
mightily mistaken. You'd better take pattern by your partner, and get
what sleep you can. That's a rule we in the Department have, and it
comes handy at times."
Dan had leaped from the straw when the alarm first sounded; but instead
of making any attempt to follow the engine, crept back again with a
smile of content.
It is not probable he would have deprived himself of sleep even if
permission had been given for him to ride on the engine.
Seth lay down by Dan's side, and despite his disappointment was soon
slumbering peacefully; but only for half an hour, because at the end of
that time he was awakened once more by the noisy return of Ninety-four.
The alarm had been sent in for a small blaze in one room of an apartment
house, and was extinguished almost immediately by the company whose
quarters were nearest the signal station, therefore Ninety-four's men
had no labor to perform.
However, it became necessary to wash down, make ready for a new fire in
the furnace of the engine, roll Ninety-four and her tender to their
respective places on the floor, adjust the harness, start the clock
once more (for it had been stopped by the weight set free when the first
stroke of the alarm rang out), and replace the weight which fastened the
horses in their stalls.
In a portion of this work Seth assisted while Dan remained apparently
asleep on the straw, and when the captain had sent in to headquarters
the three-fours, followed by Ninety-four's number, thus telling that she
was again ready for duty, 'Lish Davis said to the amateur:
"You didn't miss much that time, eh?"
"I missed going out with the company, sir."
"I don't allow that cuts any very great figger, for there'll be many
another chance when you're in better trim than you were this night."
"Anyway, I've helped wash up twice, an' that counts for something,
'cause I'm just so much ahead on points."
"Take care you don't stick your nose too near a fire some time, and get
one point too many," the driver said with a smile as he ascended the
stairs wearily, and Seth called after him:
"I'd rather it would be that way, Mr. Davis, than never know anythin'
about the business."
"You'll do, Amateur, you'll do, if you're driven with a tight curb, an'
that's what I count on seein' that you have."
Then Seth lay down on the straw once more, and slept soundly during the
two hours which followed.
It was seven o'clock in the morning when he finally arose, and although
he would have been pleased to remain there a while longer, the boy knew
it was time to begin his day's work.
Dan grumbled not a little because Seth insisted he should "turn out,"
declaring he had hardly slept a wink; but, understanding he would not be
permitted to remain there very many moments longer now the men were
already astir, he arose to his feet and lounged lazily around until Seth
had polished the boots of those members of the company who called upon
him for such service.
'Lish Davis came down-stairs just as Seth, his labor finished, was on
the point of leaving the building, and he stopped the boy by asking in a
friendly tone:
"Where are you off to now, Amateur?"
"Out chasin' nickels. It's time we hustled if we expect to find lodgin's
between now an' night."
"Flash up here about three o'clock this afternoon, and if I ain't in,
wait for me."
"All right, sir."
Then Seth went out of doors followed by Dan, and when they were on the
sidewalk Master Roberts asked curiously:
"What do you s'pose he's got on hand for you at three o'clock?"
"Most likely he don't want his boots shined till then."
"It must be somethin' more'n that," Dan replied, sagely.
"Of course it ain't. What else could he want of me?"
"Perhaps he's goin' to give you somethin' for what you did last night."
"I'll feel awful bad if he does."
"I'd like to know why?"
"'Cause then it would seem all the more as if I was really an outsider;
he wouldn't give Jerry Walters anythin' for helpin' him out of a
scrape."
"I don't see as--Jimminey! but there's Jip Collins! Ain't he got the
nerve to be snoopin' 'round here? Say, we can nab him easy as a wink if
you say the word!"
"I don't want to have him arrested. Anything like that wouldn't bring
back our lodgin's."
To the great surprise of the boys Jip Collins appeared relieved rather
than frightened at seeing them, and instead of running away advanced
rapidly, almost eagerly.
"Look here, Seth, I'm mighty sorry I set fire to your place the other
night, an' if there's any way to square it I'll hump myself the best I
know how," he cried while yet some distance away.
"It's a big pity you wasn't took in this style before you touched her
off, for then Seth and me wouldn't be huntin' a place to sleep," Dan
said sternly before his partner could speak.
"I know that," Jip wailed, and Seth fancied there was a ring of real
sorrow in his tones. "I must have been crazy to do it, an' after the
match was dropped in the shavings I hoped they wouldn't catch fire. Then
I sent in the alarm, 'cause the light kept growin' brighter, an' nobody
else saw it."
"But you touched her off all the same," and it could readily be seen
that Dan's anger was getting the best of him.
"Yes, I did, an' of course you can have me sent up the river for it; but
what good will that do you? Say, Seth, won't you let me square it
somehow?"
"It's all over now, Jip, an' the only way to fix things is by keepin'
mighty straight after this. _I_ don't want to send you up the river, nor
I won't; but if the cops get to know who did it I'm afraid they'll run
you in without tryin' to see whether I want it done or not."
"I know all that, Seth; but I don't believe I'll get jugged if Sam
Barney keeps quiet. He says he's taken up the case, an' is goin' to push
it straight through so's to show how good a detective he can be when
there's a chance to spread hisself."
"How do you know that?" Dan asked suspiciously.
"Bill Dean told me so. I met him up to the Erie Basin, where I've been
hidin'."
"Why didn't you stay there?"
"I did till I was 'most starved, an' had to come out to earn some money
so's to buy grub. Bill was round there last night lookin' for a feller
what runs on a canal-boat, an' jest the same as tumbled over me."
"You'd stood as good a show of earnin' money over in Brooklyn or Jersey
City as here, an' then there wouldn't be so much danger of runnin'
across anybody who knew you."
"I'm goin' to Williamsburg; but wanted to talk with you fellers first,
so come up here where I could see if you was in Ninety-four's house."
"What are you countin' on doin' right now?" Seth asked in a friendly
tone.
"Find Joe Carter an' try to get the ten cents he owes me, so's I'll have
somethin' to buy the first lot of papers with."
"Joe's gone to Baltimore to live; went off last night," Dan said
promptly, and an expression of disappointment came over Jip's face.
"Is he the only feller who owes you anythin'?" Seth asked.
"Yes, an' I reckon he's the only one who would try to give me a lift
after what I've done. He was----"
"Where's them swell Brooklyn chums of yours?" Dan interrupted.
"They went dead back on me after I started the fire, an' Bill Dean says
they told Sam Barney all about it. If Sam would only let up on me I'd
show that I could be as square as any of the fellers."
"I don't reckon you'll ever do that," Dan cried angrily, and Seth added
soothingly:
"I'll see Sam to-day, an' do all I can to make him drop the case, 'cause
it don't seem to me he's got any right to take it up unless I say the
word. Now, I'm goin' to lend you fifteen cents, Jip, an' you needn't
worry 'bout payin' it back for quite a spell. There's plenty of places
to sell papers in where the fellers don't know you, an' after a while
you can come 'round City Hall again."
"You're goin' to lend me money after what I did?" Jip cried in
astonishment not unmixed with fear, for he failed to understand why the
boy he had tried to injure should be so generous. "I counted on your
thumpin' me, an' I'd stood still to let you do it----"
"If Seth Bartlett has gone crazy there's no reason why I shouldn't serve
you out, Jip Collins!" and Dan advanced threateningly. "_I_ ain't sich
a chump as to pay a feller for tryin' to burn me to death, an' I'm
goin' to knock your two eyes into one, 'stead of throwin' away good
money on a duffer like you!"
Jip made no effort to defend himself, and Dan had raised his hand to
strike the first blow when Seth stepped in front of him.
"Don't do anythin' like that, Dan! Jip is sorry, an' there's nothin'
more he can do or say."
"There's a good deal more I can do!" and by this time Master Roberts had
worked himself into a towering passion.
"Go away, Jip!" Seth cried, clasping Dan by the body in such a manner as
to pin the boy's arms to his side. "Clear out, an' after he gets over
his mad a little he'll come 'round all right."
"It would only be servin' me in decent shape if he should jest about
knock my head off," Jip replied penitently, making no move toward
seeking safety in flight.
"I won't have Dan fightin' in the streets, an' there's no reason now why
you should be thumped," Seth cried, speaking indistinctly because of his
efforts to hold Master Roberts in check. "Get away as quick as you can!"
"I'll go if you say the word, though I ain't certain but he'd better do
what he's tryin' for. You're a jim dandy, Seth Bartlett, an' I'll square
everythin' with you some day. I'm sleepin' in a boat up at the Erie
Basin, an' I wish you'd come there to see me; I'd like to let you know
how sorry I am for what I did."
Dan was making the most strenuous efforts to free himself from Seth's
grasp, and the latter held him captive only by the greatest exertion.
"Don't hang 'round here any longer, Jip! Get away quick, an' I'll see
you again some time."
"Will you come up to the Basin?"
"Yes, yes," Seth replied hurriedly, hardly understanding the promise he
made because of his anxiety to prevent a fight, and Jip started off
rapidly, crying as he ran:
"You're a dandy, Seth Bartlett, an' I'll pay you off for this as true as
I live!"
Not until Jip was two blocks or more away did Seth release his hold and
turn to face Dan in his wrath.
CHAPTER VI.
AN OBSTINATE DETECTIVE.
Dan was in a fine temper when Seth finally released his hold, and after
understanding that it would be useless to pursue the fugitive he turned
upon his partner savagely.
"A nice kind of a chump you are! Let a feller burn your house down, an'
then pay him fifteen cents for doin' it! After that, when I make up my
mind to give him the dose he needs, you turn against me to help him! I
s'pose that's what you call bein' a chum of mine?"
"That's exactly what it is, Dan," Seth replied soothingly. "After you've
cooled off a bit you'll be glad I didn't let you pitch into a feller who
wouldn't raise his hands."
"He didn't 'cause he don't dare."
"If a feller had any spunk about him he would dare to do all he could
while somebody else was thumpin' him. Jip feels bad for what he did to
us, an' would stand still to let you pound him; but it couldn't have
done you any good, Dan. You don't want to get the name of bein' a
bruiser."
"I'd be willin' to take 'most any kind of a name rather'n let Jip
Collins off without so much as turnin' a hair on his head!"
"That's the way you feel jest now 'cause you're off your base; but wait
a couple of hours, an' then you'll talk different."
"I won't if I live to be twice as gray-headed as ever Methuselah was,
for it's a downright shame to let him go with money in his pockets after
tryin' to kill us."
"He was hungry."
"It would do him solid good to starve to death."
"He turned in the alarm, an' if he hadn't done that we'd been burned to
death."
"I notice he didn't do it till the fire got a mighty good start, an'
then I reckon it was only 'cause he grew scared. If you're so 'fraid of
gettin' your name up for fightin', you might er stood still and let me
have a whack at him. I don't see how that could have hindered your
slippin' into the Department. I wouldn't be quite so mad if you hadn't
given him the money."
"He was hungry, Dan, an' I'd do that much for the biggest duffer in the
town."
Dan made no reply to this remark; but with his hands plunged deep in his
pockets walked swiftly away in the direction of City Hall as if his one
desire was to be free from his partner.
Seth was not minded to let him go while in a temper, but at the same
time he knew full well that it would be useless to attempt to stop him
with words, therefore he followed without further remark, biding his
time until the proper moment should come when the "soft answer" could be
given.
Without looking to the right or the left Dan continued on, much as if
bent on running away from his partner, until ten minutes had elapsed,
when he halted suddenly, wheeled about and addressed Seth with his usual
friendly manner:
"There's Sam Barney over by that alley!"
Glancing in the direction indicated by Dan's outstretched finger, Seth
saw the would-be detective moving cautiously along, looking stealthily
around, and otherwise behaving as if he had suddenly taken leave of his
senses.
"Do you s'pose he's countin' on findin' Jip Collins in that fool way?"
"I reckon he thinks he's doin' the detective act in great shape," Dan
replied with a laugh, all traces of ill-humor having vanished. "He says
a feller in his line of business has to keep his eyes open every minute,
an' sneakin' along in that style is what he 'most likely calls bein'
wide awake."
Sam had arrived at the corner of the alley, and instead of walking
boldly in to make a search, was standing where he might be partially
screened by the building, craning his head forward for a single glance,
and then drawing it back suddenly, repeating these movements about every
thirty seconds with great regularity.
Dan gave full rein to his mirth, for this method of playing the
detective seemed to him very comical; but Seth checked him whenever his
laughter became boisterous.
"If he sees us pokin' fun at him we won't be able to make any kind of a
trade, an' I don't want to stir the feller up till things are fixed."
"What things?"
"I want him to promise that he won't go prowlin' 'round the town after
Jip Collins."
"See here, Seth, are you countin' on keepin' that racket up?"
"If you mean am I goin' to give Jip a lift by tryin' to keep that
imitation detective quiet, I'll say 'yes.' We both have got good reason
to be mighty ugly because he burned us out; but it's all over now, an'
he's sorry. Let's give him one more show--you an' I--an' if he goes
wrong after this I won't say a word against your doin' whatever you
like."
The lines on Dan's face hardened as if he was determined nothing should
turn him from his purpose of punishing Jip in such manner as he believed
the latter's misdemeanors warranted; but after one glance at his
partner the anger vanished.
"Go ahead, Seth, an' fix it up to suit you; I'll do what I can this
time, even if it does rub against the grain. It ain't because I'm
feelin' sorry for Jip; but jest to please you."
"So long as you do what I ask it don't make very much difference whether
it's for Jip or me, an' you won't be sorry, old man. Now we'll tackle
Sam, an' see if we can make him behave himself for a spell."
"I reckon you'll find that a mighty hard job. He's stuck on the
detective business as bad as you are on gettin' into the Department, an'
this is the kind of a case he don't get a whack at very often. I s'pose
he thinks that catchin' Jip would put him way up on the top notch."
Seth did not spend any time arguing the matter with his partner; but
called loudly to the would-be detective:
"Hi! Sam! Come over here a minute!"
Master Barney pretended not to have heard the summons, although the
words rang out clear and distinct above the noises of the street; but
continued his grotesque manner of reconnoitering the alley, and again
Seth shouted:
"Come over here, Sam! There's no need of your bobbin' 'round in that
style, 'cause nobody is in the alley except a couple of little kids,
who wouldn't be very much frightened if you walked right up on 'em."
This time Sam turned, affected to be greatly surprised at seeing these
acquaintances, and then crossed the street, apparently in an ill-temper.
"Don't you know any better'n to break up what a feller's fixin'?" he
asked angrily as he stood before Seth and Dan. "I was doin' some mighty
fine work, an' you've spoiled it all by yellin' so loud. Now the folks
in there know I'm 'round, an' won't so much as show theirselves."
"Do you reckon they believe you're a detective?" Dan asked, trying in
vain to check his mirth.
"Of course I do!" Sam replied hotly. "Folks have heard of me before
this, an' it stands me in hand to keep out of sight all I can."
"Who did you think was in the alley?" Seth asked.
"I'm lookin' for more'n one in this town, an' counted on finishin' up
two or three little jobs in the detective line before I lighted out to
nab Jip Collins."
"Do you know where he is?" and Seth appeared disturbed.
"What kind of a detective do you allow I am if I don't know that? I've
got it all figgered out, an' most likely I'll take a spin over to
Philadelphy to-night. If I do, you'll see him in court to-morrow
mornin'."
"Oh, has he gone over there?" Dan asked with a great show of interest,
pursing his mouth into shape for whistling to prevent an outburst of
laughter.
"That's about the size of it; but he needn't think he can run away from
me."
"Look here, Sam," and now Seth spoke in a serious tone; "Jip didn't try
to hurt anybody but Dan an' me, an' we don't want you to bother him.
We're willin' to give him a fair show, 'cause he'll take a big turn
after this."
"I can't help what you want," the detective replied obstinately. "When I
know that a feller has been burnin' up houses it's my business to run
him in, an' I'm goin' to do it."
"What is it to you, so long as we're satisfied?" Dan asked sharply.
"See here, ain't I a detective?"
"I ain't so certain of that," Master Roberts cried promptly.
"I guess other people know it if you don't, 'cause I've had more'n one
case in this town. Now, so long as that is my business I'm bound to take
up anythin' I hear about, an'----"
"Other detectives don't do that; they wait till the chief sends 'em out,
or somebody hires 'em."
Dan's reply staggered Sam for an instant; but he soon bethought himself
of what seemed to be the proper answer, and replied:
"That would be all right if I was on the force; but so long as I ain't
it stands me in hand to work my way along, same's Seth's tryin' to do in
the Fire Department. If I can catch Jip Collins and send him up the
river, it'll be a big feather in my cap."
"Would you be willin' to send a feller to jail so's you might get ahead
in the business?" Seth asked reproachfully.
"Course I would."
"Ain't there anythin' we can do to stop you from tryin' to run Jip
down?"
"You might talk till you was black in the face, an' then I wouldn't let
up."
Understanding that it was useless to hold any further converse with this
obstinate detective in the hope of turning him from his purpose, Seth
motioned to Dan, and set off down-town without a word to Sam by way of
adieu.
"I'll be in Philadelphy to-night, an' to-morrow mornin' Jip Collins will
be in the lock-up!" Master Barney shouted vindictively, and, glancing
back, Dan saw him approaching the alley once more with cautious steps,
as if it were beneath his dignity as an officer of the law to move in
any other fashion.
"It'll be all right if he goes to Philadelphy," Dan said sagely; "but
I'm mightily afraid he won't get money enough to buy a ticket on the
cars."
"I don't believe he ever thought of goin' there till we talked with him,
an' then only said it to let us believe he knew where Jip was. Sam ain't
any kind of a detective; but he can make a lot of trouble for Jip."
Seth was disturbed in mind because of the possibilities that Master
Barney would work mischief for Jip Collins, and Dan shared in such
forebodings, although in a much less degree.
The two were walking on in silence, each trying to devise some plan
whereby it would be possible to divert the amateur detective from his
purpose, when they suddenly came face to face with Bill Dean.
"Hello, where are you fellers goin'?"
"To work."
"Kind-er late this mornin', eh?"
"Yes; but we'll make up for it by pluggin' in all the harder after we
begin."
Bill hesitated an instant as if hardly daring to say that which was in
his mind, and then asked in a meaning tone:
"Seen anybody in partic'lar this mornin'?"
"Yes, we saw Jip, an' then run across Sam Barney," Seth replied.
"I suppose Sam still holds to it that he'll pull Jip in?"
"Yes, an' he counted on findin' him in Philadelphy, 'cordin' to his
talk."
"Look here, Seth, you've got good reason to make it hot for Jip after
all he's----"
"I wouldn't do a thing to hurt him, an' stand ready to give him a lift
if he needs it."
"You're straight as a die, Seth Bartlett, an' I'll bet you won't be
sorry for lettin' up on him, for I'm thinkin' Jip will run different
after this."
"I hope so; but he ain't out of the woods till somebody sets down on Sam
Barney. We've been tryin' to make him stop; but he won't, 'cause he
thinks it'll give him a big name if he arrests Jip. He's up by Sweeney's
Alley bobbin' round like a jumpin'-jack."
"Say!" Dan cried, as a sudden and what seemed like a happy thought came
into his mind. "Sam says Jip is in Philadelphy; now, s'posen all hands
chipped in enough to buy a ticket for him to go there? He'd never get
back, 'cause he don't earn a dollar in a month, an' Jip wouldn't be
bothered."
This plan appealed strongly to both Seth and Dan, and the latter asked
as to the probable cost of such a scheme.
This was a question neither of the boys could answer, and after some
thought Master Dean agreed to make the necessary inquiries without
delay.
"Dan an' me will ante up a nickel apiece to get rid of him, an' in case
you don't have to pay too much, the other fellers who wouldn't want to
see Jip sent to jail ought'er put in the balance."
Master Dean was quite as eager to aid Jip as was Seth, and without
waiting to discuss the matter further started off on his errand of
mercy.
Then the partners were at liberty to set about the work of the day; but
it was now so late that they could not expect to earn very much money.
"We'll come out mighty slim for supper, I'm thinkin'," Dan said grimly.
"You've got to knock off in time to meet 'Lish Davis at three o'clock,
an' the trade in evenin' papers won't be much more'n begun by then."
"You needn't go up with me if you don't want to--I can meet you after
the day's work is over."
"But I do want to go; I wouldn't miss knowin' what the driver has got to
say, not if I went without supper an' breakfast too."
"I could tell you all about it."
"Yes; but I want to hear for myself," Dan replied decidedly, and thus
the matter was concluded.
Seth worked industriously once he was in that section of the city where
certain rights he claimed were respected by his brother artisans, and
although the majority of the fraternity were fully occupied in
discussing the question of what Sam Barney might succeed in doing, he
refused to spend any idle time, however much interest he felt in the
matter.
Dan also attended strictly to business, regardless of the many
temptations to remain idle, and at two o'clock in the afternoon the
partners had earned as much as would suffice to provide them with food
during at least two days; but the question of lodgings yet remained to
be settled.
"We'll go up now to see what Mr. Davis wants, an' then we must hustle
for lodgin's. There'll be no more hangin' 'round Ninety-four's house
after dark, 'cause it looks too much as if we was beggin'," Seth said as
he met Dan, who reported that it wouldn't pay to buy another stock of
papers that day.
Master Roberts made no reply to this remark.
He secretly hoped that it might be possible for them to sleep in the
engine-house one more night at least, and believed Seth was foolishly
sensitive about the matter.
According to his views on the subject, there was no good reason why they
should not go even so far as to ask the firemen for a shelter, more
particularly since they appeared to be so well disposed toward Seth.
The two boys arrived in the vicinity of the engine-house ten minutes
before the time set, and Seth insisted that they should not present
themselves until the hour named, consequently both lounged around near
by until the clock struck three, when they marched boldly up to the open
door.
The driver was on the lower floor as if awaiting their arrival, and
greeted Seth in a manner both familiar and kind:
"So you've come, have you, Amateur? I was beginning to think you'd
struck a business rush, and I shouldn't see you before to-morrow."
"You said we was to come at three o'clock, so I waited 'round till
then."
"Afraid to get here ahead of time, eh?"
"I thought it was best to do as you told us, though we've been loafin'
outside for ten minutes."
Mr. Davis chuckled audibly, as if in the statement was something very
comical, and not until after several seconds had elapsed did he speak,
when it was to ask:
"Well, what have you two kids done about finding a place where you can
sleep?"
"We're goin' to hustle lively after we leave here. We had to earn a
little money first, an' it was pretty late when we got down-town, so we
couldn't do any huntin'; but you can make certain some place will flash
up before dark."
"I wouldn't wonder if it did, Amateur, I wouldn't wonder if it did. What
made you late in getting down-town? I thought you left here earlier
than usual."
"So we did, sir; but we met Jip Collins, an'----"
"The kid who started the fire in the lumber-yard?"
"Yes, sir, an' he's mighty sorry for what he did."
Then Seth repeated what had been said by the repentant boy, and gave a
detailed account of the interview with Sam Barney, all of which appeared
wonderfully amusing, not only to 'Lish Davis, but to all the men on the
floor.
"And are you allowing to adopt this 'ere kid who is setting himself up
as a firebug?" the driver asked when Seth had concluded the story.
"I'd like to give him one more show, for I don't believe he'll go wrong
again, an' if we can get Sam Barney so far away that he can't come back,
it may be done."
"But what about us? We're bound to give up all such information as we
may happen to run across, and it's a serious matter to keep a close
tongue on anything of that kind."
"Have you _got_ to get Jip arrested?" Seth asked in alarm.
"It's our duty, and I ain't so certain that he's reformed."
"But you never can know till he's been given a chance, an' it would be
mighty tough if he had to have it put down against him when he grows up,
that he's been in jail."
"I grant you all that, Amateur, yet the law says man or boy must pay the
penalty for arson, and it wouldn't be fair to make an exception in his
case."
"What do you mean by arson?"
"That's the name given to the crime of setting fires, and when the trick
is played in the night, in a building where people are living, it costs
the criminal a good many years of his life."
'Lish Davis was speaking very seriously now, and Seth literally trembled
with apprehension for Jip.
"Ain't there anything I can do to help the poor feller out of the
scrape?" he asked in a tone which told that the tears were very near his
eyelids.
"That's what I can't say right on the spur of the minute; but I'll think
the matter over, and it may be we'll see a way out if you're dead sure
he won't try any more such games."
"I don't believe he will, 'cause he's feelin' mighty bad, an' promises
to be straight after this."
"I've thought all along that he ought'er be sent up for startin' the
fire," Dan said with an air of exceeding wisdom; "but Seth has been
makin' such a row about givin' him another chance that I had to hold my
tongue."
"I wouldn't be surprised if the amateur was nearer in the right than you
are, Daniel, though the officers of the law may look at the matter in a
different light. However, the young reprobate hasn't been caught yet,
even if that keen-eyed detective of yours is on his track, and we'll
drop the subject for a spell. What I wanted to see the amateur about was
lodgings."
Dan's eyes sparkled, for he felt certain they were to be given quarters
in the engine-house, and Seth looked really distressed.
"What's the matter?" 'Lish Davis asked in surprise as he noted the
expression on the boy's face. "It don't seem to strike you right because
I'm thinking of where you'll find a shelter."
"I'm 'fraid it'll seem like as if Dan an' I were beggin' for a bed. We
can find one after a spell, an' it wouldn't be any new thing if we
knocked around the streets a few nights."
"Now, don't distress yourself on the score of begging," the driver said
with a hearty laugh. "I've come to know how thin-skinned you are on that
point, and ain't counting on giving either of you the value of a pin.
But it so happens that a friend of mine lives in the next block, and
he's got a room in his attic that he's just dying to let. I was telling
him about you kids, and he'll make what I call a fair trade."
"Do you mean that we're to hire a reg'lar room?" Seth asked in surprise.
"Why not, if it comes cheap enough? Now, this 'ere place I'm speaking of
ain't very swell, and I don't allow he could let it to any but boys like
you. He'll give a lease of it, with bed and such furniture thrown in as
his wife can scare up, for fifty cents a week. By blacking Ben Dunton's
and my boots five mornings a week you'll have the price earned, and
it'll pay a heap better than skinning 'round the streets, likely to be
moved on by a policeman a dozen times 'twixt sunset and sunrise."
Seth looked suspiciously at 'Lish Davis.
The possibility of hiring a "reg'lar room" at such a low price had never
before entered his mind, and he feared there might be something in
regard to the transaction which was being kept a secret from him.
"Now, then, Amateur, what are you staring at? Do you think I'd give you
any fairy story about the place? You'd better have a look at it before
thinking it's a very big bargain," and the driver leaned back in his
chair laughing heartily, although Seth could not understand what had so
excited his mirth.
"We'll be mighty glad to get lodgin's at that price," Dan said promptly,
and Mr. Davis handed him a card, on the back of which was written an
address, saying as he did so:
"Go to that place, and ask to see the room 'Lish Davis was talking
about. If it suits you, take it, and if it don't there's been no great
harm done."
"You're mighty good to think of us in this way," Seth said, feeling
almost ashamed because of his previous mistrust.
"Yes, I reckon I am; but we'll hope it don't spoil me," and again the
driver gave way to his mirth.
CHAPTER VII.
NEW LODGINGS.
Dan was so eager to see the new lodgings that he could not wait with any
degree of patience until Seth had fully satisfied himself regarding
certain matters connected with the leasing of them, but insisted on
setting out at once, and his partner felt obliged to accompany him.
Arriving at the address given them by 'Lish Davis, they found affairs
exactly as he had stated.
The room which had been offered at such a low rental was in the attic of
an old-fashioned, pitch-roof house, and although it was not such an
apartment as could readily have been let to adults, to the boys it
appeared as the acme of comfort and even luxury.
Mrs. Hanson, the mistress of the dwelling, had provided a fairly good
bed for the lodgers, and the clothing on it looked so rest-inviting that
Dan declared that it was hard to resist the temptation to "turn in" at
once.
There were two chairs, a rude stand on which were a water-pitcher and a
basin, a small mirror, and an old table.
The window boasted of a curtain; but the floor was carpetless, save for
two well-worn rugs.
Dan, fearing lest Seth might refuse to hire this very swell apartment
because of the suspicion that some of Ninety-four's men had agreed to
pay a certain portion of the rental in order that it might be offered at
an exceedingly low price, promptly announced his willingness to take the
room, and when this had been done it seemed to Master Bartlett as if he
was in duty bound to ratify the bargain.
"We'll pay in advance," he said, as he counted out the required amount,
thereby reducing his cash account to an exceedingly small margin.
"There's no need of your doing anything like that," Mrs. Hanson replied
kindly. "Mr. Davis says he'll guarantee that the rent is paid promptly,
and that should be enough for me, without taking money before it is
due."
"Mr. Davis is mighty good, but there's no reason why he should back a
couple of boys who are able to pay their own way. The rent is so cheap I
was 'fraid he'd been puttin' up money on our account, so's we could
afford to hire it."
"He said you were mighty independent, and I guess he's right; but you
needn't be afraid of getting any more than you pay for. This room
couldn't be let to many people, and those who would be willing to live
in such a place we would not want in the house, except in a case like
yours, where a friend of ours says everything is as it should be. Mr.
Davis is a very nice man."
"You can jest bet he is," Seth replied emphatically. "He's been mighty
good to me."
Then, having counted the money and promised to give a receipt in due
form for the same, Mrs. Hanson left her new lodgers, and Dan cried when
they were alone:
"Say, Seth, this kind-er knocks the spots out er Baxter's shed, eh? It
ain't costin' me but ten cents a week more'n the other place did, an'
that bed is worth three times them figgers. Talk 'bout fifteen-cent
lodgin's! Why, the best I ever saw wasn't a marker alongside of this!"
"It's fine, an' no mistake; but we've got to put up twenty-five cents
every week for it."
"That'll be all right. I owe you a quarter for this week's rent, an'
I'll pay it to-morrow or next day; I've got enough in my pocket now, but
kind-er reckoned on havin' a swell lay-out to-night for a celebration.
Hold on here, an' I'll go after some grub."
"Do you s'pose we ought'er thank Mr. Davis now for findin' the room for
us?"
"It'll do jest as well in the mornin', an' you're so 'fraid of hangin'
'round the engine-house that it don't seem as if you'd better go there
for nothin' else but to tell him what we think of the place."
Seth would have been pleased could he have told Ninety-four's driver
what he thought of the new quarters, but Dan's suggestion as to "hangin'
'round" was sufficient to prevent him from venturing out.
Then he tried to dissuade Dan from squandering his money on a feast,
arguing that it would be wiser to keep what he had lest there should be
a sudden lull in business; but Master Roberts refused to listen.
"Unless you're 'fraid to trust me for my share of the rent, I'm goin' to
spread myself to-night. It's too bad we hadn't known 'bout this before
we come up-town, for then we might er knocked the eyes out er some of
the fellers by showin' it to 'em."
"I don't believe we'd better have too much company, or Miss Hanson will
make a kick. It ain't likely she's willin' to have a crowd of fellers
rushin' in and out for fifty cents a week."
"I s'pose that's so; but all the same I'd like to have the gang see how
we're fixed."
Then Master Roberts went out to make the purchases, and Seth was left
alone to familiarize himself with his seemingly luxurious surroundings.
Fully half an hour elapsed before Dan returned, and then he was
accompanied by Master Dean.
"I found Bill hangin' 'round Ninety-four's house lookin' for you, an'
thought the best thing I could do was to bring him right up here," Dan
said as he ostentatiously placed half a dozen small packages on the
table.
"Ain't you fellers slingin' a terrible lot of style?" Bill asked, as he
gazed around him. "It strikes me that business must be boomin' if you
can afford all this."
"It'll only cost twenty-five cents a week for each one of us," Seth
replied, as if thinking something in the way of an apology was
necessary.
"What?" and Master Dean was so thoroughly astonished as to be unable to
speak for several seconds. Then he cried eagerly: "Say, you don't want
to take another feller in, I s'pose? I'd like to get sich a snap as
this!"
"I don't know as Miss Hanson would want to take another lodger. You
might ask her, though, after we've been here a spell."
"Why not have it settled now?"
"It seems to me as if you'd better hold off for a while till she sees
how we flash up. 'Cordin' to what she said, I don't believe we'd got in
here if it hadn't been for Mr. Davis."
"I'd like to come mighty well," Bill said longingly, and then his
attention was attracted to Dan's movements.
Master Roberts was busily engaged displaying his purchases on the table
in such a manner as to make the greatest possible show, and there was no
question but that he had succeeded in "layin' himself out in great
shape."
Fully a pound of bologna sausage cut in thick slices, four large
crullers, two smoked herrings, two ham sandwiches, a pint of peanuts,
and four apples caused the shaky table to look as if literally laden
with dainties.
Dan pushed it toward the bed, that one of the party might sit there,
placed the two chairs at either end, and invited his companions to join
in the feast.
"Pitch in an' fill yourselves way up full! This is the first swell house
I ever lived in, an' I'm willin' to pay for style. After this I reckon
Seth an' me will skin along for grub same's we've allers done, but I'm
goin' to have one blow-out if it takes every cent I've got."
No second invitation was needed, and not until a goodly portion of the
eatables had disappeared did either speak. Then it was Bill Dean who
broke the partial silence.
"Say, I've raised money enough to send Sam Barney to Philadelphy, if you
fellers come up with the nickels you promised."
"How much will it cost?" and Dan began searching his pockets for the
contribution which had been promised in his name.
"I can get the duffer over there for seventy-five cents, by sendin' him
with the emigrants. I gave him a big stiff this afternoon 'bout how we
fellers would give him a chance to show how much of a detective he is,
an' he puffed 'way up, allowin' there wasn't many men on the force in
this town who could beat him. He believes it's a great snap to go off
huntin' after Jip, an' hasn't got head enough to think of how he'll get
back."
"Here's my nickel," and Seth produced the money, Dan following his
partner's example. "I'll be glad if we can get rid of Sam; but I'm
'fraid that won't settle things for Jip."
Then he repeated all 'Lish Davis had said regarding the matter, and when
he concluded Master Dean was looking remarkably serious.
"If the firemen are goin' to run Jip down, there ain't much show we can
keep him out er trouble. Don't you s'pose the driver would kind-er help
somehow?"
"From what he said this afternoon it didn't seem as if he would, but
perhaps he'll change his mind after a while," Dan replied, not minded to
cloud this first merry-making in the new home by disagreeable thoughts,
and attempted to change the subject of the conversation by speculating
as to what sort of a welcome Sam Barney was most likely to receive from
the Philadelphia boys.
"They'll think he's a mighty good feller till he lets out strong on what
he can do in the detective business, an' then they'll tumble to him,"
Bill Dean replied with the air of one who has closed an argument
finally. "So long as he leaves town we needn't bother our heads about
him; it's Jip I'm thinkin' of, an' it seems to me as if we ought'er see
him mighty soon."
"Why?" Dan asked in surprise.
"Because he must know what 'Lish Davis says, else he's likely to knock
'round Ninety-four's house 'most any time."
"Why don't you hunt him up?"
"It's too late to tackle the job to-night; but what's to stop all three
of us from goin' to the Erie Basin after Sam Barney leaves town? Of
course you're countin' on seein' him off?"
"I ought'er 'tend right out on business," Seth replied thoughtfully;
"but perhaps I can waste time enough for that."
"Course you can. If you don't get through with the shinin' at the
engine-house as early as usual, I'll hold him over till the next train.
Then we can skip up to the Basin, an' be back in time to start in with
the last editions of the evenin' papers."
After some reflection and many misgivings as to whether he was
warranted in devoting so much of his time to others, Seth decided to do
as Bill had suggested, and a place of meeting was agreed on.
Then Master Dean took his departure, after congratulating the partners
on having found such pleasant quarters, and reminding them for at least
the tenth time that they had promised to ask Mrs. Hanson if she would
take another lodger.
When they were alone once more Seth set about clearing away the remnants
of the feast, and while he was thus employed Dan paced to and fro,
admiring himself in the mirror as he passed and repassed it in such
attitudes as he believed befitted a boy who was the lessee of such a
swell apartment.
Seth was not in a mood for conversation. The question in his mind was as
to whether he was bettering or weakening his chances for admission into
the Department by thus occupying regular lodgings.
The argument was very equally balanced. In the first place, he had
followed 'Lish Davis's advice, and by so doing it hardly seemed as if he
could go astray; but as opposed to this was the fact that he was not as
likely to be awakened by Ninety-four when she responded to an alarm,
and, consequently, his opportunities for getting points would scarcely
be as good.
However, he settled the matter with himself finally by reflecting that
he had already taken the step, and could not well back out now after
having agreed to occupy the apartment, therefore it was unwise to
indulge in misgivings.
There was no trouble in Dan's mind; he was thoroughly well satisfied
with the situation, and instead of discussing any possibilities, he
congratulated Seth and himself very heartily.
"All this swellin' will cost us twenty-five cents a week, an' it stands
us in hand to scoop the biggest good time out of it we can. I'm goin' to
turn in, for what's the use of payin' for a bed if you only get into it
for the sake of sleepin'? I want 'er lay awake a spell so's to know what
a great racket I'm havin'."
He had made his preparations for retiring while Seth yet stood at the
window looking out thoughtfully, and once beneath the clothing cried
excitedly:
"Say, hurry up an' get in here! This is the greatest snap I ever struck!
It's twice as soft as what we slept in over to Ninety-four's house, an'
when trade is dull I'll come up here an' snooze all the time."
"You'll stand a good chance of goin' broke if you do," Seth replied with
a laugh, and then he joined his partner.
Dan was not able to remain awake very long for the purpose of realizing
what a "great racket" he was having, for slumber closed his eyes shortly
after he lay down, and the day had fully dawned before he was again
aware of his surroundings.
But for Seth, Master Roberts might have slept until noon, and even when
he was aroused the desire to linger in that rest-inviting bed was so
great that he proposed to neglect work in order to remain there.
"You go over to the engine-house, an' I'll stay here till you've
finished your job there. I don't b'lieve papers will sell very well
to-day."
"See here, Dan, if you're goin' to loaf in bed half the time it'll be
best for us to stop swellin', else we shan't earn enough to pay the
rent. You must come down to business, an' might as well begin now, for
it won't be any easier to get up to-morrow."
Dan was disposed to grumble a little at thus being forced to arise; but
once he had plunged his face into a basin of cold water his indolence
vanished.
The boys made a hearty breakfast from the remains of the previous
night's feast, and then Dan hurried away to purchase his stock of papers
while Seth went to the engine-house.
"Well, how did you sleep last night?" the driver asked as he entered.
"Great! That place is away up in G; but the only trouble is that I
shan't know when Ninety-four goes out."
"It won't hurt if you don't. I've about made up my mind that such
business must be stopped."
Seth looked at 'Lish in pained surprise, and there was an ominous
quivering of his lip as he asked:
"What's the reason I can't turn out at the fires? I'll never get ahead
if I don't pick up points."
"That isn't the best way to do it, my boy," the driver said in a kindly
tone. "I've been thinking about your plan of getting into the
Department, and come to the conclusion that, seeing's you're so set on
it, we'd better lend a hand."
The expression of sorrow on Seth's face changed very suddenly as the
driver ceased speaking an instant, and in its place came a flush of joy
so great as to seemingly prevent him from speaking.
"Yes, Amateur, all of us have taken up the idea that you're to be a
fireman, though I don't say as it's the kind of a life a boy should
hanker for, and we've been working to get you into a place where you can
learn the business."
"Do you really mean that?" Seth cried, fearing lest he had misunderstood
the words.
"I shouldn't be saying it if I didn't, Amateur," Davis continued,
gravely. "Of course you can't expect any promise of a place in the
Department till you've got more years on your head; but we've struck a
plan which will work all right if you're the lad I've always taken you
to be."
Seth was literally breathless now. It would have been impossible for him
to speak, and seeing how great was the suspense Mr. Davis added quickly:
"We've got a job for you up at headquarters. You'll be called on to
sweep floors, wash windows, build fires, and do odd jobs generally; but
at the same time you'll be in what's called the general school of
instruction--where the men who want to get into the Department are put
on probation, so to speak. It's been promised us who run with
Ninety-four, that if you behave yourself you shall have a chance to
learn the drill, and once that has been done, Amateur, you'll be in
shape to join us as soon's you've got size to your body."
Big tears of delight stood in Seth's eyes as he stammered and hesitated
in trying to give words to his gratitude, and understanding what was in
his mind, 'Lish Davis added:
"Never mind about trying to say anything, Amateur. We don't want thanks
now, because we'll get them when you show yourself the kind of a boy
we've claimed you are. It's a case of your picking up points all the
time; but you'll have plenty of hard work, and mighty poor pay. You'll
get two dollars a week and your grub. Later I'm reckoning you can sleep
in the building; but at the start it's a case of having a home
elsewhere, and Mrs. Hanson's house about fills the bill."
"Two dollars every week is big money," Seth managed to say.
"Not so much as it seems just now, because you'll need to come out a bit
stronger in the way of clothes. We can't afford to have you go there
togged out the way you are, because we've said you were a kid that
belonged to us. All hands here have chipped in to buy a full suit like
our own, with the exception of the brass buttons, and you must take it
as a present from us. There'll be no squirming on account of accepting
the present, otherwise you don't go on the new job. We'll have the togs
ready in a couple of days, and from this out you'll do no more shining
'round the town. Spend to-day and to-morrow in settling up your
business, and then we'll launch you into the berth from which you'll
come out a fireman, if it so be you 'tend right close to work. We've
cracked you up mighty high, Amateur, and if you don't toe the mark it'll
be the same as proving us liars."
Again Seth tried to speak, and again he failed, whereupon 'Lish Davis
said gruffly:
"I reckon you want time to think it over, Amateur. Take a spin 'round
town closing out your boot-blacking business, and flash up here this
evening. Remember, there's to be no more running to fires except you get
a straight invitation from some of Ninety-four's men."
"Of course I'll black boots here same as I've allers done?" Seth said in
a tremulous voice.
"It won't look well, Amateur, it won't look well."
"But I'd a good deal rather, Mr. Davis. You an' all hands here have been
mighty good to me, an' there's no other way I can show how I feel about
it."
"You can keep your eyes wide open up to headquarters, and that'll do us
more good than if you kept our boots in a regular patent-leather polish
all the time."
"Please let me do somethin' for you, Mr. Davis. I'll get on up at
headquarters as fast as any feller can; but I want to keep my job here
so's to show how I feel on account of what you're doin' for me."
All the members of the company who were on the lower floor had listened
to this conversation, and now, when 'Lish Davis hesitated to give the
desired permission, Ben Dunton cried:
"Let Amateur manoeuvre as he likes, 'Lish. I don't wonder he wants to
do what he can, an' so long as he doesn't black boots anywhere except
here, I can't see that it'll work any harm."
"All right, Amateur," Mr. Davis said after a brief hesitation; "you
shall do as Ben thinks is right, though there must be no more of that
business outside of this house, 'cause you've just the same as begun to
hatch into a fireman, and we can't afford to have it said we couldn't
ante up enough to keep you going."
Seth was delighted at receiving such permission, for by thus being
allowed to work for Ninety-four's men it was as if he occupied a
definite place among them; whereas if this had been denied it would have
seemed almost as if he had been cast out.
He blacked every pair of boots he could find, and at first refused to
take pay for the labor; but 'Lish Davis prevented such gratuitous work
by saying sternly:
"Take your pay like a man, Amateur, and look pleasant about it. There'll
be no chance for you to handle the city's money until after being at
headquarters a month, and in the meantime you've got to pay your bills.
I did count on lending you enough to pull through on; but perhaps this
will be the best way. What about that firebug of yours? Has the
imitation detective caught him yet?"
Seth told of Bill Dean's plan to prevent Sam from working mischief, and
the story caused the men to laugh heartily.
"That boy Bill must have quite a head on his shoulders," 'Lish Davis
said when his mirth had so far subsided that it was possible for him to
speak. "You can tell the firebug that he'd better give this section of
the city a wide berth for a spell, and if he walks a chalk-line it may
be he won't be troubled about that crime of his. If he should get funny
in that way again, however, we'll bring this case up in a jiffy, and
he'll get a long taste of prison life."
"Then you will keep the officers from arrestin' him?" Seth asked
eagerly.
"I didn't say that, Amateur. It may happen that he won't be troubled
while he does what is right; but there's been no promises made."
When Seth had finally finished the work of blacking boots to his
satisfaction, he put the box and brushes away upstairs, and approaching
'Lish Davis, said in a whisper:
"You've been awful good to me, an' I promise you shan't be sorry for
it."
"I believe you, Amateur, I believe you, else I wouldn't have turned a
hand in the business, even though you did do me a precious good turn the
other night. You're now in a fair way to get into the Department; but
from this out it all depends upon yourself. Keep moving as you've been
doing since I first saw you, and it'll come out all right in the long
run."
Then Seth left the building on his way down-town, and it is safe to say
that in all the city of New York there was not another as happy as he,
for it seemed just then as if the goal he had set himself was very near
at hand.
CHAPTER VIII.
JIP COLLINS'S RETREAT.
So excited was Seth by this sudden and unexpected change in his fortunes
that he could not bring himself to walk demurely down-town as he was in
the custom of doing; but ran swiftly more than half the distance,
repeating to himself over and over again:
"I'm really goin' into the Department after all!"
He was so highly elated when he met Dan that the latter instantly
understood something of the utmost importance had transpired, and asked
eagerly:
"What's flashed up on you, Seth? Got a big job?"
"Indeed I have! I'm goin' into the Department!"
"Wha--wha--what?"
"I'm goin' into the Department. Mr. Davis an' the rest of Ninety-four's
men have got me a job up at headquarters where I'll have a chance to
learn all the business, an' then when I'm big enough, if my record is
all right, I'll slip in for a fireman as easy as winkin'."
"Look here, Seth, what kind of a stiff are you tryin' to give me?" Dan
asked sharply.
"It's a straight tip, old man. Mr. Davis jest told me all about it, an'
says I mustn't black boots any more except for Ninety-four's men. He
didn't even want me to do that; but I hung on till Mr. Dunton backed me
up, an' he finally gave in. Say, do you know they've bought a uniform
for me jest like they wear, only there's no brass buttons on it."
"Oh, go 'way, Seth. You've slipped your trolley."
"No, it's all straight goods, Dan. What kept me up there so long this
mornin' was talkin' 'bout it. I'm to go to-night and get the clothes.
The only thing that worries me is I can't pay for them myself."
"Anybody'd think to hear you talk that was hard luck. Look here, Seth,
if what you've been givin' me is straight, you've struck a terrible
snap, an' a feller who'd kick 'cause somebody gives him a suit of
clothes, ought'er go bare-backed."
"It would look a good deal better, Dan, if I had the money to buy the
things, rather than let them give 'em to me."
"I ain't so certain 'bout that. The biggest part of it is gettin' 'em,
an' if they're willin' to put up I'd say let 'em buy anythin' they
wanted. Look here, I can't quite get it through my head that things is
the way you tell, 'cause it don't seem likely a boy could get in at
headquarters."
Seth repeated to his partner all that 'Lish Davis had said, and when the
story was concluded Master Roberts commented on it in this fashion:
"You'll be out er sight, Seth; that's all there is to it!" Then,
realizing how his brother news-venders might be surprised, he added,
"Come on quick, an' let's tell as many fellers as we can before we go to
see Bill Dean ship Sam Barney to Philadelphy!"
Seth was by no means averse to making known his good fortune, and very
shortly afterward the two were surrounded by a throng of incredulous
news-venders and bootblacks, the majority of whom insisted that "they
wouldn't be stuffed with any such yarns, 'cause of course a feller as
small as Seth Bartlett couldn't get a job in the Department, even if it
was only to sweep floors, wash windows, an' that sort of thing. Besides,
if he was taken on at headquarters, nobody would give him a show of
learnin' the drill."
Bill Dean called Dan aside, and after first persuading him to cross his
throat with his fingers in order that he should be put on oath, as it
were, asked regarding the truth of the statements made.
"It's jest as I said, an' he's goin' to have a reg'lar uniform, all but
the buttons, to-night."
"Did you hear any of Ninety-four's men say so?"
"I wasn't there, of course; but you know Seth Bartlett don't go 'round
shootin' his mouth off the way some of the fellers do, an' you can hang
up to everythin' he says; so I'm certain it's true."
"It must be," Bill replied in a tone of conviction, and then approaching
Seth gravely he extended his hand, saying as the amateur fireman grasped
it:
"I'm mighty glad you've struck it so rich, old man, an' that's a fact.
All of us know you've been runnin' to fires pretty reg'lar; but we never
b'lieved you'd really get into the Department."
"I ain't there yet," Seth replied modestly; "but Mr. Davis says it'll be
my own fault if I don't get in, so you can make up your mind I'll keep
my eyes open mighty wide."
One by one Seth's business acquaintances followed Bill's example in the
matter of giving credence to the wonderful story, until it was a
generally accepted fact that no more than the truth had been told.
There were some doubters, however; but they were so few in number that
it seemed as if there was no longer any question regarding the matter,
and during the half-hour which followed Seth was kept busy answering the
questions of the curious and, perhaps, envious ones.
The astounding news brought by Seth and Dan had caused Sam Barney's
friends and acquaintances to forget for the time being that this
promising detective was about to depart from New York; but Bill Dean,
who had taken it upon himself to thus aid Jip Collins, soon bethought
himself of the business in hand, and reminded the others of their duty
by saying:
"Look here, fellers, we mustn't hang 'round here much longer, else there
won't be a chance of gettin' Sam away to-day. He's got to go on the
emigrant train, an' the railroad folks will look for him jest as I said,
'cause I made a good deal of talk 'bout his bein' a detective. You see I
thought they'd be glad to have him go on their cars if we could make 'em
b'lieve half as much as Sam tells 'bout himself."
Thus reminded of their duty the young merchants set out in a body for
the Cortlandt Street Ferry, much to the annoyance of those pedestrians
against whom they jostled and tumbled in their eagerness to make way
through the crowded thoroughfare.
The amateur detective was found at the corner of West Street, where he
had promised to await Bill Dean's coming, and one glance at the throng
which had gathered to do him honor, as he believed, filled his heart
with pride.
"They're beginnin' to find out that I'm no slouch of a detective after
all, hey?" he said in a confidential whisper to Bill, and the latter
replied in a matter-of-fact tone:
"I ain't certain you'd have seen so many of 'em, Sam, if it hadn't been
that they was all in a bunch listenin' to the news 'bout Seth Bartlett,
an' after hearin' it was in good trim for anythin'."
"What's the news 'bout Seth?" Sam asked with mild curiosity.
"Why, he's goin' into the Department."
"Who? Seth Bartlett?"
"Yep. That is, it's jest 'bout the same thing. Ninety-four's men have
found him a job up to headquarters where he'll have a chance to learn
the business, 'cause there's what you might call a school for firemen up
there."
Sam remained silent fully an instant gazing at his friend in
open-mouthed astonishment, and then he said emphatically if not a trifle
viciously:
"I don't b'lieve a word of it; that's one of Seth Bartlett's yarns!"
"He ain't the kind of feller that goes 'round lyin', an' it would be a
chump trick for him to begin it now, 'cause if he don't flash up in that
uniform by to-morrow night we'll know he's been stuffin' us."
"Well, maybe there's _somethin'_ in it," Sam replied grudgingly, after a
brief hesitation; "but it seems to me the Fire Department must be pretty
hard up when they'll take in a feller like Seth."
"I don't know why he wouldn't make as good a fireman as you will a
detective. He's been runnin' with Ninety-four for more'n a year."
"What does that 'mount to? He's never done anythin' same's I have, to
show that he had the stuff in him."
"They say he come pretty nigh savin' 'Lish Davis's life the other night
when them storage warehouses burned."
"Oh, that's all in your eye. Dan Roberts told the yarn so's to make
hisself solid with Seth."
There was no further opportunity for Sam to cast discredit upon Seth's
story, because the time was near at hand when he should take his
departure, and those who had contributed to this important event were
eager to hear in what way he proposed to distinguish himself.
"I'll catch Jip Collins an' send him up the river for five or ten
years," he said in reply to the questions of his friends, "an' then I
reckon people will find out whether I 'mount to anything as a detective,
or not."
"Are you sure he's over in Philadelphy?" one of the boys asked of Sam.
"Course I am."
"How did you find it out?"
"It wouldn't be any use for me to try to tell, 'cause you couldn't
understand it; but that's where the detective business comes in. I've
figgered it all out, an' in less than half an hour from the time the
train strikes the town I'll have him 'rested."
Some of those who were in the secret smiled; but Bill Dean and his
friends refrained from any display of mirth, lest Sam, grown suspicious
of his own wisdom, should at the last moment refuse to leave the city.
The would-be detective had desired to purchase his own ticket, but to
this proposition those who had the matter in charge would not consent,
and Bill Dean, in response to the suggestion made by several of the
party, proceeded, as he expressed it, to "ship off Sam."
That he had spoken the truth when he told of having had a conversation
with the railroad officials regarding Master Barney's departure, was
proven when he approached the ticket-office, for the clerk recognized
him at once, and when the money was placed on the ledge in front of him,
immediately passed out that form of a ticket which would give to Jip's
pursuer a passage to Philadelphia.
Master Barney's companions were eager to see him on board the cars; but
after learning that such pleasure must be purchased by paying for a
passage across to Jersey City and back, the majority of them decided the
price was altogether too high.
"It'll cost pretty nigh a dollar for this whole gang to go over," Dan
Roberts said after making a hurried calculation, "an' Sam ain't worth
it. I'd like to see how he swings hisself in the cars; but don't count
on puttin' out my good money for it."
There were very many of Dan's opinion in the party, and after some
discussion it was decided that Bill Dean and Seth Bartlett should
accompany the detective during this first stage of the journey, and
these two were instructed to "remember all Sam said, an' how he looked,
so's to tell it to the rest of the crowd when they got back."
The would-be detective gravely shook hands with his followers, and,
after cautioning those who were to accompany him to remain at a
respectable distance lest they interfere with his plans, stole on board
the ferry-boat in a manner well calculated to attract the attention and
excite the mirth of every one who saw him.
"He thinks reg'lar detectives go snoopin' 'round in that style," Bill
said in a whisper to Seth, "an' jest as long as he keeps up such a fool
idea he'll never 'mount to anythin'. I ain't sayin' but what he might
turn out to be quite a feller if he would only act decent."
Sam appeared to think it necessary that he remain by himself during the
short voyage, and when the boat arrived at the Jersey City slip refused
to go on shore until after having satisfied himself, in his own
grotesque fashion, that there were no enemies in the vicinity.
He entered the depot much in the same manner, and peered into the car
fully five minutes before venturing to take a seat, after which he said
in a tone of satisfaction to his companions:
"I reckon I've done this thing pretty nigh right so far, an' if I don't
bring Jip Collins back with me it'll be 'cause some of them Philadelphy
people spoil my game."
"Are you reckonin' on stayin' there till you catch him?" Bill asked with
a wink at Seth, and Master Barney replied confidently:
"I can put my hands on him within an hour; but it may be we'll stay
overnight so's I can bring him into town in the mornin'."
"How are you countin' on gettin' your ticket to come back?" Seth asked.
"Oh, I've got that figgered out. You see, jest as soon as I've nabbed
Jip I'll go to police headquarters an' tell 'em who he is, an' of course
they'll see that I get back."
Bill had considerable difficulty in keeping his face straight during
this portion of the conversation, and, fearing lest he might
inadvertently betray the secret, made short work of the leave-taking.
[Illustration: SAM GOING TO PHILADELPHIA. _Page_ 146.]
Sam was in the car with the ticket in his hand, and it was hardly
probable he would do other than proceed to his destination as had
been agreed upon, therefore Bill said in an exceedingly friendly tone:
"Well, we'd better be goin', old man. I'll see you when you get back."
Until this moment Seth had not realized that by supplying Master Barney
with the means of transportation to Philadelphia, they were virtually
exiling him from his home, and his heart misgave him as such phase of
the case suddenly presented itself.
"Look here, Sam, s'posen it turns out that you don't find Jip, how'll
you get home?" he asked, and there was in his mind the thought that he
would divide his scanty store of money with the alleged detective; but
the latter soon made it plain that he was, or believed he was, able to
take care of himself.
"Don't bother your head 'bout me, 'cause even if you have got a show of
gettin' into the Fire Department, you ain't very well posted on the
detective business. I'll get back without any of your help, an' I'll
bring Jip with me."
All Seth's sympathy fled, and without further attempt at leave-taking
the two walked out of the car, glancing back from the door an instant at
the alleged detective, who was looking as important and satisfied as a
boy well could look.
It was decided between Bill and Seth during the voyage across the river,
that after having made a report to those who awaited their coming they
would visit Jip Collins in his retreat at the Erie Basin.
"There's only a few of us knows where he is, an' of course we've got to
keep it a secret for a spell, so you, an' Dan, an' I must give the other
fellers the slip if we can."
Seth agreed to this after having been assured that there would be no
difficulty in getting back to the engine-house as Mr. Davis had
commanded, and once they were on the New York shore Bill fulfilled his
duty to his friends by giving a detailed account of all Sam had said and
done.
Some members of the party--and there were a few who considered Master
Barney one of the most promising young detectives in the city--were
fully satisfied with the manner in which he was reported to have borne
himself when he set out to bring to a successful close this his first
important case; but those who believed that Sam's ability existed only
in his own mind were inclined to ridicule his fantastic behavior, and
one of the company was applauded loudly as he said:
"If Sam cavorts 'round Philadelphy the same way he went on board the
ferry-boat, they'll run him in for a lunatic, an' we'll never see him
again till he turns over a mighty big leaf."
Then the would-be detective's acquaintances separated, each intent on
his own business or pleasure, and there was nothing to prevent the
three who were bent upon aiding Jip Collins, from proceeding on their
errand of mercy.
Now that Sam Barney's departure was an accomplished fact, Seth began to
reproach himself with having aided in sending the boy so far from home
that it might be many weeks before he could return, and while walking
toward Hoboken Ferry gave words to these thoughts.
Bill Dean, however, was not troubled with any pangs of conscience
because he had in a certain degree deceived Master Barney.
"It ain't us who sent him over there. He spouted up and told how Jip was
in Philadelphy, an' we hadn't any call to tell him it wasn't so."
"But how'll he get back?"
"Well, if I was in that town, or any other where the railroad folks only
charge seventy-five cents to fetch me home, you can bet I wouldn't hang
'round the streets very long cryin' baby; I'd hustle an' earn money.
That's the way Sam can get back, an' the more you feel bad 'bout him the
bigger fool you're makin' of yourself. I ain't stickin' up for Jip
Collins, 'cause when he set fire to Baxter's lumber-yard he knew he was
doin' what would send him to jail; but at the same time 'twixt him an'
Sam I ain't certain but I'd rather give Jip a boost."
Then Bill discussed the affair in its different phases, laying great
stress upon what was apparently to him a fact, that by giving Sam Barney
an opportunity of learning that he was not really a detective, they were
conferring a benefit upon him.
As Master Dean presented the case, there had been no deception
practised, because they could only have convinced Sam of his error by
betraying Jip, who had placed himself in the hands of his friends, and
Master Barney never once asked for information, but, instead, asserted
that he knew where the fugitive was concealed.
In this wise was the time spent during what was a reasonably long
journey, and Bill had hardly more than come to the end of his arguments
when they arrived at the Erie Basin.
"There's where Jip is hidin'," Master Dean said as he pointed to a
dilapidated boat lying at the opposite side of the Basin, and at that
moment Dan and Seth saw what at first sight appeared to be a
dark-colored ball placed in the combing of the companionway hatch.
When it suddenly disappeared, and a certain portion of it came again
into view, they understood it was the head of the young gentleman they
had journeyed thus far to visit, and Dan shouted loudly:
"Hi! It's only us! Don't get scared!"
Not until he had assured himself by actual survey that there were
none other than these three friends in the vicinity, did the
disconsolate-looking firebug venture to show himself, and then
he came out on the deck with a certain humility that was in marked
contrast with his former swagger.
"Is Sam Barney still on my trail?" he asked piteously, and that he might
not be kept in suspense, Bill gave a detailed account of the afternoon's
proceedings so far as the detective was concerned.
A long-drawn sigh of relief escaped from the fugitive's lips as he said:
"I was terrible 'fraid he'd find me out up here, cause whether he's a
detective or not, Sam has a way of snoopin' 'round an' gettin' at things
that other fellers don't want him to know. Do you reckon I can show
myself down-town now?"
Seth was forced to repeat what 'Lish Davis had told him, and again a
gloom gathered on the firebug's face, but it was lightened somewhat when
the amateur fireman added:
"There's no reason, Jip, why you can't come out an' earn your livin' so
long's you walk straight, for I don't b'lieve anybody will try to 'rest
you, now Sam is away from the city; but remember what Mr. Davis said,
that if you should do anythin' more crooked, this would all come up
against you."
"Look here, Seth, I know I did a mighty mean thing when I set fire to
the shed in Baxter's yard, an' whether you believe it or not, I was
terrible sorry the minute the shavin's caught fire; but don't think I
ain't been served out. It's awful to stay all night on this boat; I hear
all kinds of noises an' it seems to me as if the place was reg'larly
ha'nted. I'd almost rather go to jail than stay here any longer."
"But you've got to live somehow, Jip."
"It won't be here. I've been thinkin' if I could get rid of Sam Barney
I'd go over by the Thirty-fourth Street Ferry. Nobody knows me there an'
it ought to be a good place for sellin' papers."
Bill Dean thought this a wise plan, providing Jip could find lodgings
round about that locality, and then came the question as to how it would
be possible for him to start in business again, for he confessed that
all his money had been spent in the purchase of food.
"What with helpin' Sam Barney off, layin' out for a spread last night,
an' gettin' money together to pay the room-rent, this is kind of a tough
week for me," Dan said thoughtfully; "but I'll be willin' to chip in a
nickel toward helpin' you along, Jip."
Bill and Seth made the same generous proposition, and when the money had
been handed to the fugitive it was as if he found it difficult to
swallow a certain lump which had arisen in his throat.
"You fellers have been terrible good to me after I come pretty near
killin' you, an' I want you to b'lieve I'm goin' to be straight. I'll
try to show that I can be decent."
"Of course you can, Jip," Seth said soothingly, "and there's no need of
your tellin' us 'bout it. Jest plug right ahead an' do the best you know
how; then things will come out all right, I'm certain. By the time Sam
gets back we'll take care he don't meddle with the case, an' I reckon
Mr. Davis will fix the balance. When you goin' to leave here?"
"Jest as soon as I can. I made up my mind this noon that I'd let Sam
Barney lug me off to jail rather than stay any longer."
"Then come with us, an' there'll be time for you to get in some of the
evenin' trade if we hurry. Bill an' Dan will go over with you an' see if
there's any fellers 'round the Thirty-fourth Street Ferry that might
make trouble, an' most likely I'll see you again to-morrow."
At this point Dan would have told the firebug of Seth's good fortune,
but that the latter checked him, believing at such a time the
information had best be withheld, and the three Good Samaritans with
their penitent friend set out for New York.
CHAPTER IX.
THE UNIFORM.
When Jip Collins and those who had befriended him arrived at the point
nearest Ninety-four's house, on their way to the Thirty-fourth Street
Ferry, Seth halted to take leave of his companions, and knowing what he
was about to do, Dan urged that he be allowed to accompany him.
"You're goin' down to get your uniform on, an' I want to see it the very
first thing."
"So you shall, Dan; but I'd rather you wouldn't come with me now, 'cause
there was nothin' said about my bringin' anybody. Keep on with Bill an'
Jip, an' I'll go over to our room jest as soon as I get through at the
engine-house."
This did not please Master Roberts; but Bill Dean urged that Seth was in
the right, and was very emphatic in the assertion that it would "be 'way
off color to shove in" at such a time.
Therefore Dan ceased to insist, although it was with a very ill grace
that he accepted the situation.
As a matter of course, once such a conversation was started, it became
necessary to explain to Jip what important business called Seth away,
and he said with a sigh:
"I'm glad you're playin' in such luck, Seth, for you're mighty square. I
s'posed after what I'd done nobody would let me come 'round their
houses, an' as for my gettin' into any Department, why there never'll be
a show of such a thing as that."
"Now don't you get down in the dumps, Jip, 'cause you'll soon pull up
where you was before. All that's needed is to go on straight from this
out, an' show people you're sorry for meddlin' in such crooked
business."
After this attempt at consolation Seth parted with his companions, and
ten minutes later was standing before 'Lish Davis on the lower floor of
Ninety-four's house.
"Well, what have you done with your firebug?" the driver asked, and such
of the men as were idle gathered around to hear the conversation.
"We've shipped Sam Barney, an' Jip's gone down Thirty-fourth Street way
sellin' papers."
"Do you allow he'll run straight after this?"
"I'm almost certain of it, Mr. Davis. He feels terrible bad, an' if Sam
gives him the chance he'll show that he can be a decent feller."
"I hope so, because I hate to see a boy go wrong. Do you know, Amateur,
that what's done while you're young hangs on after you get to be a man.
Then, when you're getting along swimmingly, up comes somebody and tells
of the mean trick you played when you was a kid. It always counts
against a man. Now, I ain't saying that your firebug won't pull out of
this, but he's taking the chances that it'll be thrown up in his face a
hundred times 'twixt now and the next ten years, however straight he
walks. If a boy would only bear that in mind I allow he'd be a heap more
careful about what he did. Howsomever, you ain't here for a lecture of
that kind, and what's more you don't need one. I allow you're counting
on that suit of clothes?"
"I s'posed that was what you wanted me to come for, sir."
"Well, it was, Amateur, it was; and if you'll go upstairs and look on my
bed you'll find the togs laid out there. Put 'em on, and come down to
show us how you look."
"Are they new clothes, sir?"
"Of course they are. You don't allow that when this 'ere company takes
it into their heads to fit out a kid they're going to do it on
second-hand rigging, do you?"
"I only asked the question 'cause I thought perhaps if they was all new
I'd better wash my face an' hands first."
"That's right, Amateur; fix yourself out the best you know how. We want
to see what kind of a looking kid we've taken on our hands."
Instead of immediately acting upon his own suggestion Seth hesitated,
and after a moment the driver asked:
"What are you hanging in the wind now for? Got anything on your mind?"
"I'd like to know, sir, if I'm to be allowed to pay for these clothes
when I get so I can earn money enough?"
"Bless your heart, Amateur, when you're regularly in the Department you
shall come up and square the bills with Ninety-four if it so be you're
inclined; if not, why, what we do comes free as air, and we're glad to
give you a boost. All the payment we want is that you'll do us credit.
I'd like to have the boys up at headquarters, when they look at you, say
to themselves, 'That kid belongs to Ninety-four,' and in the saying of
it I'd have 'em think you was way up--something out of the ordinary run
of kids, don't you understand, Amateur?"
"If I can do anything to make you feel proud of me, Mr. Davis, I'll be
mighty glad; but I promise you shan't be ashamed of having sent me
there."
"I ain't counting on the possibility of that, Amateur, 'cause I believe
I know you better. Now, get along and put yourself into condition,
'cause there's no knowing how soon we may get a call."
Before looking at the new clothing Seth washed his face and hands with
scrupulous care, used the comb and brush again and again until positive
each single hair was in its proper place, and then went to the floor
above.
He expected to see garments which somewhat resembled those worn by the
firemen; but was unprepared for that which met his gaze.
'Lish Davis, if indeed it was he who ordered the uniform, had seen to it
that each article was a facsimile, both as to texture and style, of what
he himself wore, the one difference being that the buttons were plain
black instead of gilt with raised letters.
During several moments Seth stood as if spell-bound, gazing at this, to
him, first real evidence that he was in a certain degree, however
remote, connected with the Department, and perhaps never again will he
feel the same honest pride which was his at that moment, for he knew
without being told that he had gotten this far toward the goal he had
set himself by straightforward dealing and careful attention to all the
duties which might be expected of him.
He did not say in so many words that he had earned them; but there was
in his mind a sense of satisfaction in the knowledge that they would not
have been presented unless he had shown himself to be in some degree
deserving.
After a long survey of the garments, he put them on, and never was
transformation more complete than when he was thus changed from a ragged
boy of the street, to what, in the mirror at least, looked almost like a
young gentleman.
"They're mighty fine," he said to himself as he examined first one
coat-sleeve and then the other. "They're mighty fine, an' it'll be a
terrible big tumble for me if I can't satisfy 'em up to headquarters."
Then came the fear that now, having reached the threshold of the
Department, as it were, he might fail in his purpose, and Seth literally
trembled with apprehension until 'Lish Davis's voice was heard from
below ordering him to "hurry up."
"I won't go back on Ninety-four's men," the boy said to himself
resolutely. "It's jest as the driver says, all depends on me, an'
knowin' what's to be gained I'm a chump if I can't pull through."
Then, acting on an impulse, he slid down one of the poles, instead of
going by the way of the stairs, and suddenly stood before the entire
company, who were awaiting his appearance.
"Well done, Amateur, well done," 'Lish Davis cried in a tone of
approbation. "I declare I wouldn't have known who it was if I'd met you
sudden-like on the street. Why, you're a corker, Amateur, a regular
corker!"
"I do look pretty nice, an' that's a fact," Seth replied complacently,
whereat the men laughed heartily.
Then each member of the company in turn came forward and shook him by
the hand, congratulating him upon his first appearance as a member of
the Department, at the same time that they wished him success in the
effort to gain a permanent foothold among them.
"You're a credit to us, Amateur, and that much I must say. The money we
spent on the toggery ain't been thrown away even if you do get fired out
of headquarters after a spell. From this time forth you're much the same
as a probationary fireman, and the bootblack part of it has disappeared,
except when you're 'round here where there's no one to know what you're
doing. Though, mark you, lad, I'm not saying anything against a boy's
shining boots for a living. If you hadn't done it well, and taken some
pride in your calling, Seth Bartlett wouldn't be standing in that 'ere
suit of blue this minute. Now that we've launched you, as it were,
Amateur, I, and I'm speaking for my mates as well, want you to
understand that it's a hard row ahead. You've got to work early and
late; put up with a good many disagreeable things and look pleasant all
the while; do considerable more'n your duty, and be always on the jump.
Keep up as we've known you, Amateur, my boy, and you'll win."
When this speech--for it could be called by no other name--was
concluded, the driver's comrades applauded loudly, and then 'Lish
stepped back a few paces as if expecting Seth to respond.
The "probationary" fireman understood the movement; but the words in his
mind would not come; instead of making what he considered a worthy
reply, he said, and to him it sounded lame and poor:
"I'll do my best so's you won't be ashamed of me."
"That's all we're asking for, Amateur, and to-morrow noon at twelve
o'clock I've got leave of absence to take you up to headquarters. You're
your own boss till then, and you'd better make the most of the holiday,
'cause it'll be a long spell before you get another."
"There's only one thing I'd like to say, sir, an' that I s'pose I
mustn't think of."
"Do you mean you're hankering to run to a fire with them good clothes
on?"
"I'd like to shift 'em an' go, sir, for----"
At that instant the click caused by the opening of the electric circuit
in the alarm was heard, followed by the striking of the joker.
The weight fell--the lever flew up--the horses were released, and before
Seth could have spoken, even if he had had anything to say, the animals
were under the swinging harness, while every man stood at his station.
"Get on, Amateur; get on alongside the engineer. This may be the last
time you'll run with Ninety-four for quite a spell, and I'm minded to
give you the advantage of it," the captain cried as 'Lish Davis sprang
to his seat, snapped into place the catch on his belt, and released the
harness.
Almost before the last word was spoken Seth had leaped to the side of
the engineer, and never a boy in New York City was more proud than he,
when the ponderous engine, drawn by the plunging horses, left the
building with a rattle and roar which could have been heard blocks away.
In a uniform hardly to be distinguished from the members of the company
the Amateur was riding to his first fire in what seemed to him like an
official capacity.
One portion of his dream was being realized, and he said to himself as
he clung to the rail, swung to and fro by the swaying of the ponderous
machine, that when the time came for him to be regularly enrolled in the
Department he would use every effort toward being assigned to
Ninety-four.
"You are our mascot, Amateur," Jerry Walters, who stood next to Seth,
shouted at the full strength of his lungs in order that the words might
be heard above the clanging of the gong and rattle of wheels, "and if
you're to bring us good luck we shall get first water to-night."
[Illustration: THE FIRE-ENGINE GOING OUT. _Page_ 152.]
Seth's heart sank. For the moment he believed Walters was in earnest,
and knew full well, having the location of each signal station in mind,
that there were two engines whose houses were nearer the call than was
Ninety-four's.
To get first water under such circumstances seemed impossible, and
timidly Seth reminded Walters of the fact.
"I know it, Amateur, and am not counting that we'll win; but if we
should, and if there be such things as mascots, then I'm free to admit
you'll be a lucky one for us."
Perhaps 'Lish Davis had in his mind some idea similar to that expressed
by Walters, for although Seth had seen him urge his horses to their
utmost speed time and again, never before had he known him to press them
so hard.
The mass of steel and iron was drawn over the pavement as if it had been
but a feather's weight, and 'Lish Davis guided the horses, without
checking their speed in the slightest, around a sharp corner so suddenly
that Seth was nearly overthrown, while the clanging of gongs in the
distance told of the approach of a second engine.
"It's Fifty-three!" Jerry Walters shouted in the boy's ear. "It's
Fifty-three, and we've got thirty seconds the start of her. How about
getting first water now, Amateur?"
Seth pointed straight ahead where could be seen a cloud of sparks
arising from the stack of a third engine which was coming directly
toward them.
"Yes, Amateur, it's her or Ninety-four; Fifty-three is distanced, and
I'll hold that you're bringing good luck to us if we do no more than
beat one of 'em out."
Every man of that company, however eager he had previously been to be
first at the scene of conflict, seemed now to outdo himself in activity.
A cloud of black smoke issuing from the second floor of a dwelling
located the fire, and Ninety-four's tender was making a run for the
nearest hydrant, passing the engine just as 'Lish Davis slackened speed.
Joe Black had gained the desired spot in advance of his rival, and as
Ninety-four's tender dashed by, fifteen or twenty feet of the hose had
been run off of the reel.
Then it was that Jerry Walters and 'Lish Davis gave vent to a loud cry
of triumph, for Joe Black had made the connection.
Ninety-four's tender was stretching in just as the other company reached
the hydrant, beaten by no more than ten seconds.
"We've got first water, Amateur, we've got first water!" Jerry Walters
shouted as if having taken leave of his senses. "It ain't that we've
never done such a thing; but this time it didn't belong to us, and we
took it on your first run! If that ain't being a mascot for Ninety-four
I don't know what you will call it."
Then there was no time for congratulations or further discussion
regarding the matter, for the men had work to do which could not be
delayed, and Seth was about to follow Joe Black when 'Lish Davis
shouted:
"Come back here, Amateur! Come back! This is no time for you to be
gettin' points when you're wearing the first decent suit of clothes you
ever owned. Get alongside and behave yourself. I didn't allow you was to
do any work when the captain let you in on this trick."
Under other circumstances Seth would have been grievously disappointed
at being thus commanded to remain where he could see little or nothing
of what was being done; but now he was so elated at the victory won that
all else seemed but slight by comparison.
"I s'pose you'd have gone in there if you was wearing the finest coat
ever made, eh?" the driver asked gravely, and Seth replied with another
question:
"Wouldn't you, sir?"
"What I'd do don't cut any figger, Amateur. It's my business to go in
there, but not yours yet a while. When the time comes that you're bound
to step up with the foremost, I'm expecting to see you there, and
wouldn't say a word that might hold you back. Now you're playing the
gentleman, and you'll stay with me; besides, it ain't going to turn out
anything after all. A curtain or some such flummery is blazing. It can't
be much more."
In this surmise 'Lish Davis was correct.
Within ten minutes after Ninety-four was ready for work word came to
"shut off," and the men set about disconnecting the hose.
So slight had been the fire that only two members of the company were
detailed to do the overhauling--that, is to thoroughly go through the
building from top to bottom to make certain no spark had been left which
might be fanned into a flame--and the remainder of the men were ordered
back to the house.
"It's what we may call a howling success, this first run of yours,
Amateur," 'Lish Davis said as he drove leisurely homeward. "We've beat
'em all out, had little work to do, and it wasn't much more than good
practice, with a precious fine record at the bottom of it. But don't you
get puffed up thinking everything is going your way just 'cause you've
started in easy and slick."
"There's no reason why I should be puffed up, Mr. Davis, except that
I've had a chance to do what I've been longin' for--and that is to go
out with Ninety-four as if I belonged to her."
"_As if_ you belonged to her! That's what we allow you do, Amateur. From
this out, unless it so be you turn about wonderfully and go crooked,
you're one of us--an honorary member, so to speak."
"Put down on the roll as the official mascot," Jerry Walters cried,
whereat the remainder of the company laughed heartily, and in this
jovial mood was Ninety-four returned to her quarters; but Seth was not
allowed to take part in the washing-up lest he should soil his fine
feathers.
"I'm counting on your striking in at headquarters lookin' just as fine
as silk, which you couldn't do if we let you hang 'round here helping
with the dirty work," 'Lish Davis said when Seth would have claimed it
as his right to be allowed to assist in the labor. "You're to toddle
straight home now, for you've hung 'round this house long enough; stay
there till morning, come over here for a bit about your usual time, and
then take a spell at swelling down-town until nigh on to twelve o'clock,
when I'll be ready to go with you. Well, why don't you start?"
"I wanted to thank you for lettin' me run with Ninety-four the first
night I had my uniform on."
"You needn't do anything of the kind. The captain happened to be soft
just as the alarm struck, else you wouldn't have got away with us. Now
clear out, and take care you don't get into mischief."
As Seth went toward his lodgings he wondered whether the people whom he
met in the street were not surprised at seeing him thus clad like a
fireman, and so intent was he on walking erect with his shoulders thrown
well back, that he might the better look the part he hoped one day to
play, that he failed to observe Dan Roberts until the latter, suddenly
recognizing his partner, shouted shrilly:
"Hi! Seth! Do you mean that's really you?"
"Don't make such a row on the street, Dan, 'cause folks will wonder
what's the matter. But say, I do look pretty fine, eh?"
"Fine? Why, that's no name for it, old man. You're out of sight! Where
did you get 'em?"
"This is the uniform I was tellin' you 'bout. Mr. Davis gave it to me
when I was over to the engine-house, an' do you know I hadn't more'n got
into it when there was an alarm, an' I rode to the fire on Ninety-four
jest as if I belonged to her."
"No!"
"I did for a fact."
"Well, if they let you do that there ain't much question 'bout your
gettin' into the Department."
"Mr. Davis says it all depends on me now, an' you can bet I'll work
mighty hard, Dan Roberts."
"If you don't you're a bloomin' idjut! Why, I wouldn't ever knowed you
if I'd been goin' fast! I was kind-er loafin' along wonderin' when you'd
be home, an' thinkin' of Jip, so had time to look 'round. First off I
couldn't make up my mind to holler, you looked so bloomin' swell. Now, I
don't see why I shouldn't go in for somethin' same's you did, an' flash
up in sich style; but no, I'll stick to sellin' papers, that'll be the
way with me, an' think I'm playin' in great luck if I get to own a stand
on some corner."
"You talk as if I was already in the Department, instead of havin' to
work my way up to it."
"I only wish I was as near there. By the time you're captain of a
company I'll jest about get so I can pay my own way, with never two
cents ahead."
"Now, don't begin to jump on yourself 'cause it seems as if I was
gettin' along pretty fast; but wait an' see how I pan out, an' as for
doin' nothin' but sellin' papers, why, that's 'cordin' to the way you
want it. There ain't any need of stickin' to sich business unless you
hanker for it."
"Yes there is, except I'm willin' to starve," Dan replied mournfully,
and to raise him from the depths of despondency into which he had been
plunged by a sight of the uniform, Seth began to ask him questions
concerning Jip.
"We left him down at the ferry. Bill Dean struck a feller there who
promised to give Jip a lift now an' then. I don't reckon he'll have any
trouble, 'cause them as are sellin' papers down that way don't seem to
have much sand to 'em. He's goin' to sleep with Bill's friend, an' take
it all in all I think he's gettin' along mighty well, considerin' it
ain't a week since he burned us out. Say, goin' into the house now, or
do you count on swellin' 'round a spell first?"
"We'll go home, Dan, an' in the mornin', after I've shined for
Ninety-four's men, I'll meet you down-town."
"What? You goin' to do any more shinin'?"
"I am for them in that house, an' I'll keep it up till I get to be
reg'larly in the Department. They've done so much for me, Dan, that if I
should spend half my time as long as I live blackin' their boots, I
wouldn't square things."
"If I counted on bein' a fireman I'd be one; I wouldn't black boots for
anybody."
"Neither will I when I'm really in the Department; but I'm a long ways
from there yet a while. Come home, an' to-night I'll stand a spread so's
to celebrate wearin' the new uniform."
CHAPTER X.
AT HEADQUARTERS.
When he first saw Seth in his new uniform a certain feeling of envy came
into Dan Roberts's heart; but he was not a fellow who could give himself
up to this kind of thoughts very long, and within a few moments all that
had passed away, leaving in its stead rejoicings that his partner had
taken such rapid strides toward the desired end.
Before they had gained the seclusion of their own room Dan was his old
self once more, and from that moment it is safe to say he was never
again envious of Seth's good fortune, but sufficiently wise to profit by
his partner's example.
When they entered the house, Mrs. Hanson, who must have been informed by
'Lish Davis of the expected change in Seth's condition, came to the door
to see the boy in his uniform, and when she ceased her words of praise
his cheeks were glowing red.
"You'll cut a terrible swath down-town to-morrow morning," Dan said
sagely when they were alone. "Here's a woman that never saw either of us
till yesterday, an' she goes pretty nigh crazy over the way you look. I
reckon Sam Barney would have a reg'lar fit if he should run up against
you now."
To Seth's mind there was nothing wrong in admiring himself, or listening
to words of praise from others, and he enjoyed to the utmost these
speculations of his partner until Master Roberts, wearied of gazing at
the amateur fireman, hinted broadly that if there was to be a spread set
out in honor of the uniform, now was the time to "start her goin'."
"How much did that lay-out cost you last night?"
"Twenty-three cents."
"That's pretty stiff to pay for one supper; but it ain't every day I get
a uniform, an' I guess I can stand it this once. We shan't spread
ourselves in the same way ag'in, though," Seth said thoughtfully,
speaking half to himself, and then taking some coins from his pocket, he
added, "You go out and buy the stuff. I'll wait here."
"Why don't you come with me?"
"I'm 'fraid if Ninety-four's men should see me they'd think I was
runnin' 'round swellin'."
"Well, s'posen they should? Haven't you got the right? Wouldn't most any
feller who's got as near into the Department as you have?"
"Mr. Davis said I was to go down-town to-morrow mornin', an' perhaps
that's all he thought I ought'er do, so I'll hang on here instead of
goin' out ag'in."
Dan was not averse to making the purchases, and so deeply occupied was
Seth with pleasant thoughts that it seemed to him Master Roberts had no
more than left the room before he returned laden with packages.
As on the previous night he was accompanied by Bill Dean, who exclaimed
in a tone of satisfaction as he entered the room:
"It seems like as if I'm allers 'round when you fellers are puttin' up
swell lay-outs, don't it?" Then getting a full view of Seth for the
first time he cried in an accent of unquestionable admiration, "Well,
I'll be jiggered! Dan said you was lookin' mighty fine; but I never
thought you could flash up like this! Why, you're a reg'lar fireman
already."
"You wouldn't think that if you could hear what Ninety-four's men say,
an', besides, there's no brass buttons on this uniform, you know."
"I ain't certain but it looks better without 'em. Anyhow, you're way up
in G."
"He ought'er know it by this time," Dan added with a laugh. "Everybody
has been tellin' him so, an' he come mighty near paralyzin' Miss Hanson.
She jest threw up both hands when we opened the door."
"Well, I don't wonder; but say, I didn't come round to sponge off you
fellers, 'cause I never thought of your havin' two such lay-outs one
right after the other. I didn't know but you'd like to hear how we'd
left Jip, an' then agin I wanted to talk 'bout bunkin' in here with you
fellers."
"This is Seth's spread; but you'll hold on an' get your share of it now
you're here," and Dan began to arrange the food on the table in the most
tempting manner possible.
"Of course you'll stop," Seth added, "an' even if you'd known we was
goin' to kind of celebrat
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