Page 40 - An Amateur Fireman

"You'll do, Amateur, you'll do, if you're driven with a tight curb, an' that's what I count on seein' that you
have."

Then Seth lay down on the straw once more, and slept soundly during the two hours which followed.

It was seven o'clock in the morning when he finally arose, and although he would have been pleased to remain
there a while longer, the boy knew it was time to begin his day's work.

Dan grumbled not a little because Seth insisted he should "turn out," declaring he had hardly slept a wink; but,
understanding he would not be permitted to remain there very many moments longer now the men were
already astir, he arose to his feet and lounged lazily around until Seth had polished the boots of those members
of the company who called upon him for such service.

'Lish Davis came down-stairs just as Seth, his labor finished, was on the point of leaving the building, and he
stopped the boy by asking in a friendly tone:

"Where are you off to now, Amateur?"

"Out chasin' nickels. It's time we hustled if we expect to find lodgin's between now an' night."

"Flash up here about three o'clock this afternoon, and if I ain't in, wait for me."

"All right, sir."

Then Seth went out of doors followed by Dan, and when they were on the sidewalk Master Roberts asked
curiously:

"What do you s'pose he's got on hand for you at three o'clock?"

"Most likely he don't want his boots shined till then."

"It must be somethin' more'n that," Dan replied, sagely.

"Of course it ain't. What else could he want of me?"

"Perhaps he's goin' to give you somethin' for what you did last night."

"I'll feel awful bad if he does."

"I'd like to know why?"

"'Cause then it would seem all the more as if I was really an outsider; he wouldn't give Jerry Walters anythin'
for helpin' him out of a scrape."

"I don't see as--Jimminey! but there's Jip Collins! Ain't he got the nerve to be snoopin' 'round here? Say, we
can nab him easy as a wink if you say the word!"

"I don't want to have him arrested. Anything like that wouldn't bring back our lodgin's."

To the great surprise of the boys Jip Collins appeared relieved rather than frightened at seeing them, and
instead of running away advanced rapidly, almost eagerly.