e in this town. We'll never find anythin' that will come up
with that shed."

"Cryin' won't help out on it. What we've got to do is to hunt up another
shanty where we can bunk in without givin' up too much money, for after
havin' to buy a new outfit I can't afford to fool away good dollars
payin' for a bed at a reg'lar lodgin'-house."

"You'll never get anythin' that will come up to the shanty Jip Collins
set on fire," Dan replied sadly, and as the realization of their loss
came to him with redoubled force now that the time had arrived when they
must search for new lodgings, he gave way to anger against the boy who
had wrought them so much mischief, as if believing this would mend
matters.

Seth waited patiently until his partner had indulged in such outburst
several moments, after which he said sagely:

"Now, look here, Dan, scoldin' won't fix things the least little bit,
an' there's no sense in keepin' on tellin 'bout how big a villain Jip
Collins is. What we've got to do is to hustle, an' in the long run we'll
find that will pay better'n ravin'. Do you know of any place where we
can stop for a night or two till I've had time to look 'round more?"

"If I did I'd taken it long ago, instead of payin' you fifteen cents a
week for half of your quarters."

"Well, we've got to find one; that's all there is to it. Now, s'posen,
instead of tryin' to do any more business to-day, we mosey right along
about it."

"Where you goin'?"

"I don't exactly know. We'll kind-er loaf 'round; that's the way I found
the carpenter-shop, an' if it turns out we don't see a place, why, it'll
be a case of puttin' up the stuff for one night's lodgin's."

"I ain't sure as I've got money enough left to pay for a reg'lar bed."

"I reckon I can squeeze out what'll pay the bills if you're broke. Now,
come on."

Unconsciously Seth led the way toward Ninety-four's house, not really
being aware he was proceeding in that direction, and after walking
several blocks in silence Dan asked almost sharply:

"Are you countin' on their lettin' us hang 'round the engine-house?"

"Course not. The firemen can't do anythin' like that, you know. We was
mighty lucky to get a bed there last night, an' wouldn't had it except
that we'd been burned out."

"Then what are you goin' up this way for?"

"There's jest as much chance 'round here as anywhere, an' of course I'd
sooner live near Ninety-four, 'cause I do a good deal of shinin' for the
men. Then ag'