again he found that the fire
department had gotten the fire under control, and that much of the
crowd of people had gone on about their business. In the space around
the wagon several cabmen were busy getting out their horses and cabs,
all thankful that their turnouts and animals had not been consumed by
the conflagration, which had all but leveled the great stable to the
ground.

Andy was seated on the wagon, anxiously awaiting his return. While the
two harnessed Billy into place, Matt told his partner of the trouble
he had experienced.

"That blacksmith meant to bluff you off and keep the horse," said the
auctioneer. "If you hadn't come back soon I would have gone off after
you."

"Is the wagon damaged?" questioned Matt anxiously.

"Not in the slightest. I have examined everything carefully. And the
stock is O. K. too. We can start off just as if nothing had
happened."

"But we haven't decided yet as to just where we are to go," returned
the boy.

"Oh, that reminds me!" cried Andy. "I meant to tell you before, but
the fire drove it clean out of my head. I saw a fellow yesterday who
is going to strike out up through Harlem to-morrow. He was going to
take the very route I had thought out. So I was going to propose that
we take the ferry over to Jersey City, and strike out through New
Jersey first."

"Well, one way will suit me just as well as another," returned Matt.
"So New Jersey it is."

In less than five minutes later they were ready to start. The owner of
the stable, nearly distracted over his loss, was around, and into his
hand they thrust the money they owed him. Then Matt procured his
valise, and without waiting to be questioned by the police and the
firemen any more than was necessary, they drove off.

"Not a very favorable start," was Andy's comment, as the scene of the
conflagration was left behind. "But they say 'a bad beginning makes a
good ending,' so we ought not to lose heart."

"Lose heart!" cried Matt lightly. "No, indeed! I am thankful we are
able to start, even though we do look like a couple of tramps," he
added with a grin.

"We'll take a wash-up when we are across the ferry. We'll have lots of
time, for we won't be able to do any business to-day. We must get at
least twenty or thirty miles from New York before we attempt to open
up."

The drive down to Cortlandt street ferry was an uneventful one through
the crowded streets. A boat had just come in when they reached the
ferry-h