e was danger that Albany street-boys might entice them off,
or that some might be tired of the journey, and hide away, in order to
return. When they were gathered on the wharf, we told them that _we_
were going to Michigan, and if any of them would like to go along, they
must be on hand for the cars. This was enough. They hardly ventured out
of sight. The Albany boys tried hard to coax some of them away; but ours
turned the tables upon them, told them of Michigan, and when we were
about ready to start, several of them came up bringing a stranger with
them. There was no mistaking the long, thick, matted hair, unwashed
face, the badger coat, and double pants flowing in the wind--a regular
'snoozer.'

"'Here's a boy what wants to go to Michi_gan_, sir; can't you take him
with us?'

"'But, do you know him? Can you recommend him as a suitable boy to
belong to our company!' No; they didn't know his name even. 'Only he's
as hard-up as any of us. He's no father or mother, and nobody to live
with, and he sleeps out o' nights.' The boy pleads for himself. He would
like to go and be a farmer--and to live in the country--will go anywhere
I send him--and do well if he can have the chance.

"Our number is full--purse scant--it may be difficult to find him a
home. But there is no resisting the appeal of the boys, and the
importunate face of the young vagrant. Perhaps he will do well; at any
rate, we must try him. If left to float here a few months longer, his
end is certain. 'Do you think I can go, sir?' 'Yes, John, if you will
have your face washed and hair combed within half an hour.' Under a
brisk scrubbing, his face lights up several shades; but the twisted,
tangled hair, matted for years, will not yield to any amount of washing
and pulling--barbers' shears are the only remedy.

"So a new volunteer is added to our regiment. Here is his enrollment:--

_"'John ----, American--Protestant--13 years--Orphan--Parents died in
R----, Maine--A "snoozer" for four years--Most of the time in New York,
with an occasional visit to Albany and Troy, "when times go
hard"--Intelligent--Black, sharp eye--Hopeful.'_

"As we marched, two deep, round the State House to the depot, John
received many a recognition from the 'outsiders,' among whom he seems to
be a general favorite, and they call out after him, 'Good-by, Smack,'
with a half-sad, half-sly nod, as if in doubt whether he was playing
some new game, or were really going to leave them and