rit of adventure, and making believe that he was an explorer
in an ancient country, the boy made his way through the trees and
shrubbery. The ruins looked more and more interesting as he advanced.
This had evidently been a magnificent estate at one time. There were
massive pillars which had once supported a stately portico at the front
of the house, and above all there rose a massive chimney, which
seemed to be exceedingly well preserved. As Archie came nearer, he was
surprised to notice a thin column of smoke rising from the top of the
chimney, and for a moment he stood still with fright. What could this
mean? Who could be building a fire in the midst of these ruins. It was
almost like what one reads about in books, he thought.

For some time he could not decide what to do, whether he had better keep
on, or whether the wisest policy would be to get back to the road as
quickly as possible. Finally, his curiosity and thirst for adventure
persuaded him to go on, and he continued to push his way through the
shrubbery until he stood before the ruins. He then climbed a flight of
steps, and stood in what had once been the main entrance to this
massive palace. Before him he saw a scene which was almost weird in its
unusualness. A fire of pine-knots was blazing in the ruins of the great
fireplace, and seated in a semicircle around the fire were several men
of picturesque appearance, whose faces looked up angrily when they were
disturbed.

CHAPTER VI.

STEALING A RIDE--KICKED OUT BY THE BRAKEMAN.

ARCHIE was dumbfounded. Never before had he been among such a motley
crowd, and his first impulse was to turn and run. But on second thought
he decided that it would be best to put on a bold face and walk up to
the men. This he did, and when he reached the fire the men jumped up and
asked him who he was. In a few words he told them his simple story, and
they all laughed and sat down again about the fire, making a place for
him. "You're one of us, then, laddie," said the leader of the gang.
"We're all soldiers of fortune, all dependent upon the generous public
for our livelihood. But we're not goin' to the city. There's nothin'
there for us, and our advice to you is for you to steer clear of the
place, too. Them police takes ye and throws ye into jail as quick as
a wink, and there's no chance of gettin' anythink to eat at basement
doors, neither. They're all on to us, there, laddie, and ye'd better
stick to the country."

T