et something
later," and Seth, knowing where to find the tools of his trade, set
about his customary morning's work, while Dan lounged here and there,
feeling that he was a very fortunate lad in thus being a guest of
Ninety-four's men.

Half an hour later, in company with Dan, Seth, richer by thirty cents,
set out in search of a second-hand box and brushes.

Save in the way of questioning him concerning the boy who was believed
to have started the fire in the lumber-yard, none of the men treated the
bootblack other than in their customary manner, and Seth departed with
the fear in his mind that they were glad to be rid of him.

No sooner had he gone, however, than 'Lish Davis addressed three or four
of his comrades who were near at hand, saying emphatically:

"Look here, that boy Seth is bent on getting into the Department, and I
tell you when a lad sticks to one thing as he's stuck to that for the
last year, some one ought to lend him a hand."

"You ain't thinking of getting him taken on here, are you, 'Lish?"
Walters asked with a laugh.

"I've got a plan in my head, and allow that the rest of you can help me
through with it. If all hands of us turn to we can get the boy a job at
headquarters, and he ain't the lad I've taken him to be if he don't put
himself in the way of being received as a recruit when he's grown
stouter and a little older. Now, such a lift as that won't be much for
us, and it may be the making of him."

"Do you allow it's a good idea, 'Lish Davis, to help a boy into the
Department when he might learn a trade which wouldn't be that of risking
his life two or three times every day?"

"Would you turn tinker, or tailor, or candlestick-maker, Jerry Walters,
in order to avoid risking your life two or three times a day?"

"It's different with me, 'Lish. I've been here so long I couldn't give
it up."

"And it would be almost as hard for that lad to give up his idea. I
tried to frighten it out of him when he first came around here; but he
didn't scare worth a cent, and I tell you again that he'll make a
cracking good man for some company one of these days."

"If there's anything I can do to help the thing along, you may count me
in," Walters replied, and the other members of the company who heard the
remark pledged themselves to the same thing.

"We'll let him hoe his own row till everything is ready, 'cause it may
do harm if he gets to thinking somebody is trying to give him a lift."

"What'