human
Look here, Seth, I'm mighty sorry I set fire to your place the other night, an' if there's any way to square it I'll hump myself the best I know how,
gpt
It's a big pity you wasn't took in this style before you touched her off, for then Seth and me wouldn't be huntin' a place to sleep,
human
I know that, Jip wailed, and Seth fancied there was a ring of real sorrow in his tones.
gpt
I must have been crazy to do it, an' after the match was dropped in the shavings I hoped they wouldn't catch fire. Then I sent in the alarm, 'cause the light kept growin' brighter, an' nobody else saw it.
human
But you touched her off all the same,
gpt
Yes, I did, an' of course you can have me sent up the river for it; but what good will that do you? Say, Seth, won't you let me square it somehow?
human
It's all over now, Jip, an' the only way to fix things is by keepin' mighty straight after this. _I_ don't want to send you up the river, nor I won't; but if the cops get to know who did it I'm afraid they'll run you in without tryin' to see whether I want it done or not.
gpt
I know all that, Seth; but I don't believe I'll get jugged if Sam Barney keeps quiet. He says he's taken up the case, an' is goin' to push it straight through so's to show how good a detective he can be when there's a chance to spread hisself.
human
How do you know that?
gpt
Bill Dean told me so. I met him up to the Erie Basin, where I've been hidin'.
human
Why didn't you stay there?
gpt
I did till I was 'most starved, an' had to come out to earn some money so's to buy grub. Bill was round there last night lookin' for a feller what runs on a canal-boat, an' jest the same as tumbled over me.
human
You'd stood as good a show of earnin' money over in Brooklyn or Jersey City as here, an' then there wouldn't be so much danger of runnin' across anybody who knew you.
gpt
I'm goin' to Williamsburg; but wanted to talk with you fellers first, so come up here where I could see if you was in Ninety-four's house.
human
What are you countin' on doin' right now?
gpt
Find Joe Carter an' try to get the ten cents he owes me, so's I'll have somethin' to buy the first lot of papers with.
human
Joe's gone to Baltimore to live; went off last night,
gpt
Is he the only feller who owes you anythin'?
human
Yes, an' I reckon he's the only one who would try to give me a lift after what I've done. He was----
gpt
Where's them swell Brooklyn chums of yours?
human
They went dead back on me after I started the fire, an' Bill Dean says they told Sam Barney all about it. If Sam would only let up on me I'd show that I could be as square as any of the fellers.
gpt
I don't reckon you'll ever do that,
human
I'll see Sam to-day, an' do all I can to make him drop the case, 'cause it don't seem to me he's got any right to take it up unless I say the word. Now, I'm goin' to lend you fifteen cents, Jip, an' you needn't worry 'bout payin' it back for quite a spell. There's plenty of places to sell papers in where the fellers don't know you, an' after a while you can come 'round City Hall again.
gpt
You're goin' to lend me money after what I did? Jip cried in astonishment not unmixed with fear, for he failed to understand why the boy he had tried to injure should be so generous.
human
I counted on your thumpin' me, an' I'd stood still to let you do it----
gpt
If Seth Bartlett has gone crazy there's no reason why I shouldn't serve you out, Jip Collins! and Dan advanced threateningly.
human
Don't do anythin' like that, Dan! Jip is sorry, an' there's nothin' more he can do or say.
gpt
There's a good deal more I can do!
human
Go away, Jip! Seth cried, clasping Dan by the body in such a manner as to pin the boy's arms to his side.
gpt
Clear out, an' after he gets over his mad a little he'll come 'round all right.
human
It would only be servin' me in decent shape if he should jest about knock my head off,
gpt
I won't have Dan fightin' in the streets, an' there's no reason now why you should be thumped, Seth cried, speaking indistinctly because of his efforts to hold Master Roberts in check.
human
Get away as quick as you can!
gpt
I'll go if you say the word, though I ain't certain but he'd better do what he's tryin' for. You're a jim dandy, Seth Bartlett, an' I'll square everythin' with you some day. I'm sleepin' in a boat up at the Erie Basin, an' I wish you'd come there to see me; I'd like to let you know how sorry I am for what I did.
human
Don't hang 'round here any longer, Jip! Get away quick, an' I'll see you again some time.
gpt
Will you come up to the Basin?
human
Yes, yes,