ndividuals, and a few of them smelt strongly of
liquor.

"This isn't so nice," thought Nat. "But it's cheap, and that's
something."

Before retiring, he placed his bundle and his clothing under his pillow,
and stowed away his watch and money on his person.

Nat's actions were closely watched by a man who occupied the next cot on
the left. He was a seedy individual, with a face that was horribly
pockmarked.

"Reckon he's got a dollar or two," thought this man, who was known among
his associates by the name of Checkers.

Despite his surroundings, Nat slept soundly throughout the night, and
continued to sleep long after the sun came up.

While it was still early, Bob Checkers arose, dressed himself, and
slipped over to the sleeping boy's side. Making certain that nobody was
watching him, the fellow began a rapid search of Nat's clothing, and
afterwards of the lad's person.

Soon he came in contact with a small roll of bills, which Nat, in the
belief that they would be quite secure, had placed in a pocket of his
shirt. A thrill of delight shot through the fellow as his hand touched
them.

"Dis is de best yet!" he murmured to himself, and placing the bills in
his own pocket, he left the lodging house almost on a run.

CHAPTER VII

AN ADVENTURE AT NIAGARA FALLS

When Nat awoke it was so late that he leaped up and dressed with all
possible speed.

"I've got to get a hustle on me, if I mean to do anything," he told
himself. "It won't do to dream away one day after another."

He was anxious to get to New York, to try his luck, but being so close
to Niagara Falls, he decided to run up to that great wonder, and look at
it before striking out for the metropolis.

He had some loose change in his pocket, and did not immediately miss the
roll of bills which the sneak thief had so cleverly abstracted from his
person.

Leaving the lodging house, he looked up a cheap restaurant, where he
obtained a cup of coffee and some rolls for ten cents. Then, seeing a
car marked Niagara Falls, he jumped on board.

"Do you go to the Falls?" he asked of the conductor.

"Certainly."

Trolley riding was new to him, and he thoroughly enjoyed the trip, which
lasted the best part of two hours. The car landed him on the main street
of Niagara Falls, and he was told that the Falls themselves were just
beyond the public park. Listening, he could readily hear the thunder of
the waters--a thunder that goes on day and night, and