articular portion of the city was under the immediate control of
himself and his friends. Paul made no reply, for the very good reason
that he did not know but that the claim which this boy set up was a
just one, and he remained silent, which caused his tormentors to
think--exactly what was the true state of the case--that he was afraid
of them.

One boy, the same who had first spoken, began pushing him aside, and
poor Paul, seeing at least a dozen boys, nearly all of them larger
than he was, standing in threatening attitudes, looked around in vain
for his two friends, who had promised to care for him.

"You want to get out of this, young feller, an' you don't want to show
your nose 'round here agin," said the largest member of the party, as
he pushed Paul rudely aside with one hand, and with the other
attempted to take his papers from him.

It was this, more than anything else, which made Paul resist; for even
if he had no right on that particular spot, they surely had no right
to take his papers from him; and besides, they were Johnny's property,
not his. Therefore he felt he should defend them all the more
strongly.

[Illustration: "IF YOU PICK ANY ROW WITH HIM, YOU PICK IT WITH ME AND
JOHNNY."]

He was trying to call up all his strength and will in defence of
his own rights, even though he knew the struggle could not be a long
one, owing to the numbers that were opposed to him, when suddenly the
crowd were pressed apart at one side, and Ben and Johnny stood ready
to defend their guest.

"This feller lives with us," said Ben, defiantly, as he looked
fiercely at the boy who had been trying to rob Paul, "an' he's goin'
to sell papers here every day. Now don't any of you forget that if you
pick any row with him, you pick it with me an' Johnny."

More than one of those present knew just what Ben could do if he
should swing that box around in defence of any one who was being
imposed upon, and they concluded that it was not best to discuss the
matter any further. The crowd fell back, and Paul was safe, for a
short time, at least.

Johnny had sold all his own stock out, and taking half of Paul's, the
two commenced business again. They had no further trouble from those
who had been so eager to drive the new boy away, and by dinner-time
all the papers were sold. But Paul was ignorant that in every one was
an advertisement setting forth an exact description of himself,
together with the promise of a large reward to