y ringing a large hand bell.

"I have just settled," said Bobby, alluding to his comfortable seat.

But the allusion was so indefinite to the colored boy that he thought
himself insulted. He did not appear to be a very amiable boy, for his
fist was doubled up, and with sundry big oaths, he threatened to
annihilate the little merchant for his insolence.

"I didn't say anything that need offend you," replied Bobby. "I meant
nothing."

"You lie! You did!"

He was on the point of administering a blow with his fist, when a
third party appeared on the ground, and without waiting to hear the
merits of the case, struck the negro a blow which had nearly floored
him.

Some of the passengers now interfered, and the colored boy was
prevented from executing vengeance on the assailant.

"Strike that fellow and you strike me!" said he who had struck the
blow.

"Tom Spicer!" exclaimed Bobby, astonished and chagrined at the
presence of the runaway.

CHAPTER XVI

IN WHICH BOBBY FINDS "IT IS AN ILL WIND THAT BLOWS NO ONE ANY GOOD"

A gentleman, who was sitting near Bobby when he made the remark which
the colored boy had misunderstood, interfered to free him from blame,
and probably all unpleasant feelings might have been saved, if Tom's
zeal had been properly directed. As it was, the waiter retired with
his bell, vowing vengeance upon his assailant.

"How came you here, Tom?" asked Bobby, when the excitement had
subsided.

"You don't get rid of me so easily," replied Tom, laughing.

Bobby called to mind the old adage that "a bad penny is sure to
return;" and, if it had not been a very uncivil remark, he would have
said it.

"I didn't expect to see you again at present," he observed, hardly
knowing what to say or do.

"I suppose not; but as I didn't mean you should expect me, I kept out
of sight. Only for that darkey you wouldn't have found me out so
soon. I like you, Bob, in spite of all you have done to get rid of me,
and I wasn't a going to let the darkey thrash you."

"You only made matters worse."

"That is all the thanks I get for hitting him for you."

"I am sorry you hit him; at the same time I suppose you meant to do me
a service, and I thank you, not for the blow you struck the black boy,
but for your good intentions."

"That sounds better. I meant well, Bob."

"I dare say you did. But how came you here?"

"Why, you see, I was bound to go with you anyhow or at least to keep
within hail of yo