, for they displayed a
consciousness of guilt in every movement, and showed plainly that
their great desire was to escape scrutiny.

Seth was so enveloped in sorrow and fear as to be ignorant of the
direction in which he and Snip were being forced. He understood dimly
that those who had the business of escape in hand were bent on gaining
the river; but to more than that he gave no heed.

Finally, when they were arrived at a ferry-slip, Teddy paid the
passage money, and Seth was led to the forward end of the boat, in
order, as Tim explained, that he might be ready to jump ashore
instantly the pier on the opposite side was gained, in case the
officers of justice had tracked them thus far.

Now, forced to remain inactive for a certain time, Seth's friends
took advantage of the opportunity to give him what seemed to be
much-needed advice.

"The minute the boat strikes the dock you must take a sneak," Teddy
said impressively, clutching Seth vigorously by the shoulder to insure
attention. "We'll hang 'round here to make sure the detectives haven't
got on to your trail, an' then we'll go back."

"But what am I to do afterward?" Seth asked helplessly.

"There ain't any need of very much guessin' about that. You're bound
to get where there'll be a chance of hidin', an' you want to be mighty
lively."

"Snip an' I will have to earn money enough to keep us goin', an' how
can it be done while I'm hidin'?"

"How much have you got now?"

"'Bout fifty cents."

Tim drew from his pocket a handful of coins, mostly pennies, and,
retaining only three cents with which to pay his return passage on the
ferry-boat, forced them upon the fugitive, saying when the boy
remonstrated:

"You'll need it all, an' I can hustle a little livelier to-night, or
borrow from some of the other fellers if trade don't show up as it
ought'er."

Teddy followed his comrade's example, paying no heed to Seth's
expostulations, save as he said:

"We're bound to give you a lift, old man, so don't say anything more
about it. If you was the only feller in this city what had passed a
lead nickel, perhaps this thing would look different to me; but the
way I reckon it is, that the man what put the advertisement in the
paper jest 'cause he'd been done out'er five cents is a mighty poor
citizen, an' I stand ready to do all I can towards keepin' you away
from him."

"Look here, fellers," Seth cried in what was very like despair as the
steamer neared the dock