ger boy, and even the dirty work he was ordered to
do seemed pleasant because there were engines everywhere, and mysteries
of cogs and wheels that he would be able to find out, as the days went
by.

The all-pervading smell of oil and grease reminded him of Paddy's
boiler-house, and he resolved to spend his first evening in writing to
him.

There were three other boys in the shed, all older than himself, and
half-a-dozen men, and Dick was fairly bewildered by the orders they
gave him.

As a new hand and the youngest it was quite evident he would be
expected to fag for all, and long before night his back and legs were
very tired.

But Mrs. Garth had a good tea all ready, and Pat, who had been
disconsolate all day, nearly wagged off his short tail for joy when he
got home.

And then he wrote a letter.

"DEAR PADDY,

"We got to Ironboro' quite safely, after a lot of ups and downs on the
road. Pat was nearly lost, so many people wanted to steal, or beg, or
buy him, and no wonder.

"My uncle Richard is gone to Klondyke, and I am going to write him a
letter.

"His friend, Mr. Dainton, found me, or I found his little girl, and
they have been so kind. He is a foreman at Lisle & Co.'s, and he knew
uncle ever so well. He has got me a place in their sheds, and I began
work to-day.

"Our firm is splendid, I should think six times as big as the tin
works, and I am going to try so hard there.

"Ironboro' is very dirty, and there are publics everywhere. The men
drink a great deal here, and it is such a pity. Mr. Dainton says they
could do well if they liked, because the pay is so good.

"One of the men offered me a drink of beer to-day, but of course I said
'No.' When I told him I never meant to touch it the others laughed,
and said they'd soon make me know better. But I mean to be Lionheart
still.

"Pat sends his love to you. He has a box for a kennel in Mrs. Garth's
wood shed where I lodge.

"Dear Paddy, I know God _does_ hear when we pray, because he brought me
here, and made people so kind to me coming along, and gave me friends
and work directly. I wish you would come here, too, that Pat and I
could see you again. He is so knowing. Everybody likes him. Do come.

"Your loving friend,
DICK."

"I've got slops and overalls just like the other men, to work in, and
I'm going to a night school and a technical class, and Mr. Dainton has
lent me a big book about engines, with pictures all through.