uainted with the work and could handle a
trunk, or a box or barrel almost as well as Jones or Malloy.

"How does the boy do?" asked Captain Hadley of Malloy.

"It's the new broom as swapes clane," answered the head deckhand. "I
ain't braggin' yit, captain."

"But he is doing all right so far?"

"Aye, aye, sur--very well indade."

"I am glad to hear it. Mr. Shalley told me the boy needed the job. His
father is on the sick list, and he has got to do what he can to help
support his parents."

"I reckon he'll be all right," answered Pat Malloy. "He's better than
thim foreigners, anyway." To him, the only foreigners were Italians and
Germans. He did not think himself one, although he had come from the
"ould sod" less than six years before.

CHAPTER XVII

THE PURSER HAS HIS SAY

One night, when the steamboat was tied up at Albany, Randy donned his
street clothes and hunted up the place where Jack Bartlett lived. He
found his former friend at home and glad to see him.

"Come in," said Jack, shaking hands. "How have you been since we met
last?"

"Pretty fair, Jack. And how have you been?"

"I'm all right. I've got a job. That is why I haven't used my boat
pass."

"A job?"

"Yes, I am working in the same place where father has a position."

"Then you are not going to school again?"

"Not for the present." Jack lowered his voice. "You see, father isn't
earning any too much, so I--well, I thought I'd help the family along."

The two friends sat down in the parlor and our hero told his tale, and
then Jack related some of his own experiences.

"My father is in hopes that he can get at Mr. Bangs before long," said
Jack. "The trouble is, some papers are missing. He had them in a desk
at the works, but when he came away he couldn't find them."

"Perhaps Mr. Bangs got them."

"It is possible, but father can't prove it."

"Have you seen or heard anything of Bob Bangs lately?"

"He is along the Hudson somewhere--on a vacation with his mother."

"I met him when he was getting a horse," answered our hero and told of
what had happened.

"I wish I had been there!" cried Jack, laughing heartily. "I'll wager
Bob was as mad as seventeen hornets."

"Yes, indeed. He must have had a good bill to pay for damages."

Randy spent a pleasant two hours with Jack and then went back to the
boat, Jack promising to visit the craft some night when the _Helen
Shalley_ should tie up at Albany again.

So far matters ha