o it."

"There's no use to kick now, 'cause it's too late. I wouldn't wonder if
it was all fixed by this time. You see, Bill an' me was 'fraid you'd
been hurt, seein' 's you didn't come over to the room last night, an'
the fellers wanted me to find out 'bout it, so's if there was any
trouble we could hold off the blow-out till you'd come 'round ag'in. So
long; I'll see you to-night," and Dan was off like a flash.

Seth watched until his friend was lost to view in the distance, and then
entered the building.

The first man he met shook hands with him in the most friendly manner,
congratulating him upon the service he had done, and so did every one he
saw, until he was absolutely astounded at the warmth of his reception.

For a moment it seemed as if the officials at headquarters were taking
as deep an interest in him as did Ninety-four's company, and there were
so many who thus had a kindly word that it was nearly an hour from the
time he arrived before it was possible to present himself at the
gymnasium.

There Mr. Fernald showed him marked attention before those of the class
who were assembled, and, as Seth confidentially told 'Lish Davis that
evening, "he was afraid he'd get a big head if folks didn't let up on
his saving the baby."

At noon Josh Fernald held a long conversation with Seth, the substance
of which was that permission had been received to put him under
instruction precisely as if he had been appointed a member of the
Department on probation, and he would be taught the entire drill from
that day forth.

"Next spring, when the Bennett, Stephenson, and Pulitzer medals are
awarded, the Life-Saving Corps will give an exhibition drill at some
public place, and I've decided that you shall be among them. Work hard,
my lad, and on that day when the citizens of New York turn out to see
those of the force who have distinguished themselves in the way of
saving life, you can make your appearance in a manner that will give
great pleasure to your comrades of Ninety-four."

Mr. Fernald did not give Seth an opportunity of thanking him, but
suddenly walked away as if bent on important business at the other end
of the room, and the boy said to himself with pride and delight:

"He called Ninety-four's men my _comrades_! That's a big step-up for a
bootblack to make, an' I wonder how 'Lish Davis will like it?"

CHAPTER XVII.

THE BLOW-OUT.

Much to Dan's disappointment, Seth could not go down-town on th