e had had a good supper and might have
gone directly to bed, but instead he sat up to write a letter to the
folks at home, telling his father and mother of his day's experience.

Our hero had to go ashore to post the communication, and once out in
the street he resolved to take a little walk around before returning to
the steamboat. He was soon walking along West Street, and then took to
a side street running up to the avenues.

Now, although our hero did not know it, he had chosen one of the worst
streets in this part of the great city. It was filled with tenements
and groggeries of the lowest description, and the sidewalks swarmed
with all sorts of low characters.

He had scarcely walked two squares before a rough-looking fellow
jostled him. The next instant Randy felt a hand in his pocket.

"Stop that!" cried Randy. But the fellow was already running up the
street. Our hero clapped his hand in the pocket and discovered that
eighty cents in change was missing.

"I am not going to lose that money!" he told himself, with vigor. "I
may be a greeny, but I'll give that thief some trouble."

At first he thought to cry out, but then reconsidered the matter and
remained silent. He set off after the thief, and away went man and boy
along the crowded thoroughfare.

The man evidently thought he could lose himself in the crowd, but by
the aid of the street lights, Randy kept him in sight. He passed along
for two blocks and then turned into a side street and then into a blind
alley.

Our hero managed to keep him in view and saw him spring up the steps of
a dilapidated tenement house. The man ran through the lower hallway and
into the back yard, piled high with rubbish of all kinds. Here he hid
behind some empty boxes.

Randy was soon in the yard and gazing around eagerly. As he did so he
saw a thin and pale girl of about ten standing near. Soon she came up
to him timidly.

"Did you see a man run in here?" said Randy.

"Yes," she answered, but in a hesitating voice.

"Where did he go?"

"I don't dare tell you," whispered the girl.

"Why not?"

"That is Bill Hosker."

"And who is Bill Hosker?"

"Don't you know him?" And the little girl's eyes opened in
astonishment.

"No, I don't."

"Bill Hosker is the boss around here. He does just as he pleases. If
anybody crosses him Bill 'most kills them."

"Oh, he's a bully, is that it?"

"Yes."

"Well, where did he go?"

"You won't tell him I told you?"

"No.