Page 42 - An Amateur Fireman

"They went dead back on me after I started the fire, an' Bill Dean says they told Sam Barney all about it. If
Sam would only let up on me I'd show that I could be as square as any of the fellers."

"I don't reckon you'll ever do that," Dan cried angrily, and Seth added soothingly:

"I'll see Sam to-day, an' do all I can to make him drop the case, 'cause it don't seem to me he's got any right to
take it up unless I say the word. Now, I'm goin' to lend you fifteen cents, Jip, an' you needn't worry 'bout
payin' it back for quite a spell. There's plenty of places to sell papers in where the fellers don't know you, an'
after a while you can come 'round City Hall again."

"You're goin' to lend me money after what I did?" Jip cried in astonishment not unmixed with fear, for he
failed to understand why the boy he had tried to injure should be so generous. "I counted on your thumpin'
me, an' I'd stood still to let you do it--- "

"If Seth Bartlett has gone crazy there's no reason why I shouldn't serve you out, Jip Collins!" and Dan
advanced threateningly. "I ain't sich a chump as to pay a feller for tryin' to burn me to death, an' I'm goin' to
knock your two eyes into one, 'stead of throwin' away good money on a duffer like you!"

Jip made no effort to defend himself, and Dan had raised his hand to strike the first blow when Seth stepped in
front of him.

"Don't do anythin' like that, Dan! Jip is sorry, an' there's nothin' more he can do or say."

"There's a good deal more I can do!" and by this time Master Roberts had worked himself into a towering
passion.

"Go away, Jip!" Seth cried, clasping Dan by the body in such a manner as to pin the boy's arms to his side.
"Clear out, an' after he gets over his mad a little he'll come 'round all right."

"It would only be servin' me in decent shape if he should jest about knock my head off," Jip replied penitently,
making no move toward seeking safety in flight.

"I won't have Dan fightin' in the streets, an' there's no reason now why you should be thumped," Seth cried,
speaking indistinctly because of his efforts to hold Master Roberts in check. "Get away as quick as you can!"

"I'll go if you say the word, though I ain't certain but he'd better do what he's tryin' for. You're a jim dandy,
Seth Bartlett, an' I'll square everythin' with you some day. I'm sleepin' in a boat up at the Erie Basin, an' I wish
you'd come there to see me; I'd like to let you know how sorry I am for what I did."

Dan was making the most strenuous efforts to free himself from Seth's grasp, and the latter held him captive
only by the greatest exertion.

"Don't hang 'round here any longer, Jip! Get away quick, an' I'll see you again some time."

"Will you come up to the Basin?"

"Yes, yes," Seth replied hurriedly, hardly understanding the promise he made because of his anxiety to
prevent a fight, and Jip started off rapidly, crying as he ran:

"You're a dandy, Seth Bartlett, an' I'll pay you off for this as true as I live!"

Not until Jip was two blocks or more away did Seth release his hold and turn to face Dan in his wrath.