be content until the boy gave an exhibition of
what he had learned in the way of gymnastic exercises during the
morning, and when this had been brought to a close amid the applause of
all present, the driver said in a tone of satisfaction:

"You're getting on in great shape, Amateur, and if nothing happens to
give you a pull-back, ought'er be well up in the drill 'twixt now and a
year from to-day. Josh Fernald has the name of being precious hard on
them as comes under him for instruction; but I've always allowed he'd
boost along mighty fast any one who struck his fancy. He must have seen
that you were in earnest, young fellow, for when I talked with him the
best promise I could get was that he'd look you over in the course of a
month or two."

"Do they keep you humpin' on the odd jobs, Amateur?" Jerry Walters asked
solicitously.

"There's plenty to be done; but not enough to kill anybody. After I get
used to the ways of the place I reckon it'll come pretty easy."

"That's the kind of talk to make, young fellow!" the driver cried
approvingly. "Don't allow that your job's a hard one, however tough it
may be, for a kid never gets any credit when he's always whining 'bout
working to death."

Not until ten minutes or more had been spent in answering the questions
asked by each member of the company, including the captain himself, was
the curiosity of the men satisfied concerning the advancement of their
_protege_, and then Seth had an opportunity of inquiring as to the
charge against the firebug.

"Dan Roberts said you carried a lawyer down to see poor Jip, Mr.
Davis," the amateur began, and instantly the look of pleasurable
excitement faded from 'Lish Davis's face.

"So I did, Amateur, so I did. Jerry and I allowed we might do that much
for the kid, even though he ain't deserving of any man's attention."

"Will he get out of the scrape?"

"Not before having a trial, Amateur, and then all must depend on the
judge. It seems he owned up to the whole business when they first nabbed
him, and the only thing he can do now is to plead guilty. The evidence
that can be given by the kids from Brooklyn will be enough to convict
him, even if he finds somebody to help him make a fight, which wouldn't
be good sense."

"Then there's nothin' for the poor fellow but to go up the river?" and
Seth's voice was tremulous with sorrow.

"That ain't altogether certain, lad. The lawyer thinks, and Jerry and I
have the same idee, that