tand that
'Lish Davis had only spoken the truth when he said the instructor was
not a man who would "let up on boys to any extent," for Seth was forced
to exert himself as he never remembered to have done during any previous
two hours of his life.

Then the lesson was concluded, and the amateur set about his ordinary
duties, working unusually hard lest Mr. Fernald should decide that he
could not at the same time attend to gymnastics and perform the services
for which he was paid by the city.

He was thoroughly tired when the hour for supper came around; but so
happy at having made some slight advancement toward his goal in life
that all else was as nothing.

That evening he bade Mr. Fernald "good-night," and received in reply the
caution:

"Don't think you'll find any snap here; it's precious hard work, an'
won't grow easier."

"I'll stick at it, sir, if you don't get tired showin' me how," Seth
cried gleefully, and as he walked sturdily toward the staircase, holding
himself erect and with head thrown well back like some animal glorying
in his strength, the old instructor gazed after him in almost a friendly
manner.

Seth was so elated with the idea that he could tell Ninety-four's men
that he had actually begun his training, as to have nearly forgotten the
appointment made with Dan; but he soon remembered it when Master Roberts
darted out from a hiding-place near at hand.

"Well, I've seen him," he cried before Seth had time to speak.

"Who?"

"Jip Collins, of course."

"How'd you get in?"

"I was hangin' 'round there lookin' for a chance when your 'Lish Davis
come along with a lawyer, an' I asked 'em to let me go in with them."

"Mr. Davis took a lawyer there?" Seth repeated in astonishment.

"That's what he did, an' I tell you, Seth, that fireman is a jim dandy,
an' no mistake!"

"Don't you s'pose I know that after all this time?"

"Yes; but yet you didn't think he'd do so much, eh?"

"He's mighty good to everybody. How was Jip lookin'?"

"Terrible down. You'd think he was expectin' to be hanged by the way he
takes on. I felt awful sorry for him, even if he did burn us out."

"What did he say?"

"Not much of anythin'; but kept cryin' 'bout all the time. Sam Barney
must be feelin' awful good after makin' so much trouble."

"Have you seen _him_?" Seth asked, sharply.

"If I had he'd be lookin' for a doctor. I'm jest achin' to get my hands
on that duffer in some side street where the perlice