, "I don't know what to do, even after you've
put up all your money. Where can Snip an' I go? We've got to earn our
livin', an' I don't see how it's to be done if we're bound to hide all
the time."

"That's easy enough," and Tim spoke hopefully. "The city is a fool
alongside the country, an' I'm countin' on your havin' a reg'lar snap
after you get settled down. When we land, you're to strike right out,
an' keep on goin' till you're where there's nothin' but farms with
milk, an' pie, an' stuff to eat layin' 'round loose for the first
feller what comes to pick 'em up. Pip Smith says farmers don't do
much of anything but fill theirselves with good things, an' I've
allers wanted to try my hand with 'em for one summer."

Seth shook his head doubtfully. Although he had never been in the
country, it did not seem reasonable that the picture drawn by Pip
Smith was truthful, otherwise every city boy would turn farmer's
assistant, rather than remain where it cost considerable labor to
provide themselves with food and a shelter.

"You'll strike it rich somewhere," Teddy said, with an air of
conviction, "an' then you can sneak back long enough to tell us where
you're hangin' out. I'll work down 'round the markets for a spell, an'
p'rhaps I'll see some of the hayseeders you've run across."

The conversation was brought to a close abruptly as the ferry-boat
entered the dock with many a bump and reel against the heavy timbers;
and Seth, with Snip hugged tightly to his bosom, pressed forward to
the gates that he might be ready to leap ashore instantly they were
opened.

"Keep your upper lip stiff, an' don't stop, once you've started, till
you're so far from New York that the detectives can't find you," Tim
whispered encouragingly, and ten seconds later the fugitive was
running at full speed up the gangway, Snip barking shrilly at the
throng on either side.

Tim and Teddy followed their friend to the street beyond the ticket
office, and there stood watching until he had disappeared from view.
Then the latter said, with a long-drawn sigh:

"I wish it had been almost any other feller what passed the lead
nickel, for Seth hasn't got sand enough to do what's needed, if he
counts on keepin' out'er jail." And Tim replied sadly:

"If a feller stuck me with a counterfeit I'd think I had a right to
shove it along; but after all this scrape I'll keep my eyes open
mighty wide, else it may be a case of the country for me, an' I ain't
hank