have."

By this time Dan had stepped inside, and catching a glimpse of Seth he
cried:

"Say, old man, you're goin' it mighty strong, but we're proud of you.
The fellers count on givin' you a reg'lar blow-out to-morrow, if it's so
you can come down-town."

"Do you mean 'cause of what was done last night, Dan?" Seth asked,
surprised that his roommate should have learned of the affair so soon,
and Joe Black gave way to his mirth, although why he thought there was
anything comical in what had been said, neither of the boys understood.

"Course I'm talkin' 'bout your savin' the baby."

"How did you hear of it so soon?"

"Hear of it! Why, it's in all the papers! Look at this!" and Dan
unfolded the morning _Herald_ as he pointed to an article nearly a
column in length, which was headed, "A Brave Boy."

Seth made no attempt to read the account, and Dan cried impatiently as
he held the sheet in front of him:

"Why, don't you see what it says? The fellers down-town are pretty nigh
wild 'cause you've showed the firemen that you ain't any slouch, even if
you did black boots for a livin'. I reckon Sam Barney will get green
when he sees it, an' Bill's hangin' 'round so's to make certain that
duffer hears 'bout it the first thing. Say, can't you come down by the
post-office now?"

"I've got to go up to headquarters same as ever, an' it's most time
now."

"But the fellers are just crazy to see you."

"They'll have to wait till night," Seth replied with a laugh, "'cause
I'm bound to be there right on the dot."

"I'll walk up with you."

"All right; I'm ready now as soon as I put on my coat."

Seth went to the floor above for the purpose of getting the garment, and
while he was absent Joe Black asked Dan:

"What are you boys counting on doing with our kid?"

"We're goin' to give him one of the biggest blow-outs that's ever been
seen in this town. Do you s'pose we'd lay still after he's been an' done
what he did? We'll show that we believe he's a dandy."

"What kind of a blow-out do you mean?"

"A reg'lar spread with plenty to eat, an' it won't cost Seth a cent.
Bill an' Teddy Bowser are rushin' 'round seein' to it now. Folks think
we fellers don't count for much, but some of 'em will sing a different
tune after readin' what he did! You can bet we're reckonin' on givin'
him a great send-off."

"Look here, Dan," Joe Black whispered. "I wouldn't mind seeing how you
lads get up a thing of that sort, and if you'll giv