enty-five cents for each of you. I have one piece of advice for you.
If your padrone beats you badly, run away from him. I would if I were in
your place."

"Addio, signore," said the two boys.

"I suppose that means 'good-by.' Well, good-by, and better luck."

CHAPTER IX

PIETRO THE SPY

Though from motives of policy the grocer had permitted the boys to warm
themselves by his fire, he felt only the more incensed against them on
this account, and when Mr. Pomeroy had gone determined to get rid of
them.

"Haven't you got warm yet?" he asked. "I can't have you in my way all
day."

"We will go," said Phil. "Come, Giacomo."

He did not thank the grocer, knowing how grudgingly permission had been
given.

So they went out again into the chill air, but they had got thoroughly
warmed, and were better able to bear it.

"Where shall we go, Filippo?" asked the younger boy.

"We will go back to New York. It is not so cold there."

Giacomo unhesitatingly assented to whatever Phil proposed. He was not
self-reliant, like our hero, but always liked to have someone to lean
upon.

They made their way back to Fulton Ferry in a leisurely manner, stopping
here and there to play; but it was a bad day for business. The cold was
such that no one stopped to give them anything, except that one young
man dropped ten cents in Phil's hand as he hurried by, on his way home.

At length they reached the ferry. The passengers were not so many
in number as usual. The cabin was so warm and comfortable that they
remained on board for two or three trips, playing each time. In this way
they obtained about thirty cents more. They would have remained longer,
but that one of the deck hands asked, "How many times are you going
across for two cents?" and this made them think it prudent to go.

When six o'clock came Giacomo asked Phil, who acted as treasurer, how
much money they had.

"Two dollars," answered Phil.

"That is only one dollar for each."

"Yes, Giacomo."

"Then we shall be beaten," said the little boy, with a sigh.

"I am afraid so."

"And get no supper."

"Yes," said Phil; "unless," he added, "we get some supper now."

"With this money?" asked Giacomo, startled at the boldness of the
suggestion.

"Yes; we shall be beaten at any rate. It will be no worse for us if we
get some supper."

"Will you buy some bread?"

"No," said Phil, daringly. "I am going to buy some meat."

"What will the padrone say?"

"I shal