Page 63 - An Amateur Fireman

Bill Dean, however, was not troubled with any pangs of conscience because he had in a certain degree
deceived Master Barney.

"It ain't us who sent him over there. He spouted up and told how Jip was in Philadelphy, an' we hadn't any call
to tell him it wasn't so."

"But how'll he get back?"

"Well, if I was in that town, or any other where the railroad folks only charge seventy-five cents to fetch me
home, you can bet I wouldn't hang 'round the streets very long cryin' baby; I'd hustle an' earn money. That's
the way Sam can get back, an' the more you feel bad 'bout him the bigger fool you're makin' of yourself. I ain't
stickin' up for Jip Collins, 'cause when he set fire to Baxter's lumber-yard he knew he was doin' what would
send him to jail; but at the same time 'twixt him an' Sam I ain't certain but I'd rather give Jip a boost."

Then Bill discussed the affair in its different phases, laying great stress upon what was apparently to him a
fact, that by giving Sam Barney an opportunity of learning that he was not really a detective, they were
conferring a benefit upon him.

As Master Dean presented the case, there had been no deception practised, because they could only have
convinced Sam of his error by betraying Jip, who had placed himself in the hands of his friends, and Master
Barney never once asked for information, but, instead, asserted that he knew where the fugitive was
concealed.

In this wise was the time spent during what was a reasonably long journey, and Bill had hardly more than
come to the end of his arguments when they arrived at the Erie Basin.

"There's where Jip is hidin'," Master Dean said as he pointed to a dilapidated boat lying at the opposite side of
the Basin, and at that moment Dan and Seth saw what at first sight appeared to be a dark-colored ball placed
in the combing of the companionway hatch.

When it suddenly disappeared, and a certain portion of it came again into view, they understood it was the
head of the young gentleman they had journeyed thus far to visit, and Dan shouted loudly:

"Hi! It's only us! Don't get scared!"

Not until he had assured himself by actual survey that there were none other than these three friends in the
vicinity, did the disconsolate-looking firebug venture to show himself, and then he came out on the deck with
a certain humility that was in marked contrast with his former swagger.

"Is Sam Barney still on my trail?" he asked piteously, and that he might not be kept in suspense, Bill gave a
detailed account of the afternoon's proceedings so far as the detective was concerned.

A long-drawn sigh of relief escaped from the fugitive's lips as he said:

"I was terrible 'fraid he'd find me out up here, cause whether he's a detective or not, Sam has a way of snoopin'
'round an' gettin' at things that other fellers don't want him to know. Do you reckon I can show myself
down-town now?"

Seth was forced to repeat what 'Lish Davis had told him, and again a gloom gathered on the firebug's face, but
it was lightened somewhat when the amateur fireman added:

"There's no reason, Jip, why you can't come out an' earn your livin' so long's you walk straight, for I don't