he
would not join with the society as against his mate, he did not intend
to take sides with him.

Donovan's promise of assistance was not a vain one. When Fred emerged
from the breaker a few paces behind Chunky he saw the boss waiting for
him, and the latter said in a friendly tone:

"It don't do you much good to be seen talkin' to me, for both men an'
boys hate what are called bosses' pets; but we'll stave off this row
till you get used to the ropes, when it's a case of taking care of
yourself."

Under the protection of Donovan, Fred walked to his home, feeling a bit
ashamed of thus avoiding the meeting with the regulators, and more than
one jeering cry did he hear before reaching the house.

"Be careful of yourself now," Donovan said, as they arrived at the
cottage. "This won't make the lads any better disposed toward you, an'
it isn't safe to move 'round very much in the dark."

"I'll come home alone to-morrow an' have it out."

"Don't be rash. Wait for a chance, an' if Skip gets hurt pretty bad
nobody here'll feel sorry."

Then Fred entered the house, and after a bath, a hot supper, during
which his mother spoke many encouraging words, and a long consultation
to his best course, he felt little fear of the regulators.

Mrs. Byram had good news for her son. The wife of the superintendent had
introduced her to several other ladies who promised to give her
employment, and the prospect of earning money seemed better than was
anticipated when the question of moving to the settlement had been under
discussion.

"We shall get along famously," she said, "and, perhaps, it won't be many
months before it will be possible to get enough ahead so we can venture
to the city. I am going to open an account at the store in your name,
for what little cash we had is very nearly exhausted."

"When are you going?"

"Now. I shall be busy to-morrow, and you must have a hearty supper."

"I'll go; the store isn't the nicest place possible during the evening."

"But the boys who are watching for you?"

"They won't dare to do anything when the men are around," Fred replied,
carelessly, and taking the memorandum which his mother had prepared, he
left the house.

The one street of the settlement was almost deserted, for it was yet too
early to see the toilers who would spend the short time of rest in the
open air near the store, and Fred's business was soon transacted. The
desired credit was readily granted, and with his arms