Here we leave Thomas Gordon for the time in good hands, while we turn our attention to his friend, James Travers, who has been waiting too long for notice.
The reader will recall that the morning succeeding the rescue of the little girl from the river the two boys started out to hunt up something to do in New York. The experience of both was quite similar through the greater portion of the day, and we have dwelt fully upon what befell Tom.
Jim, with no better success, and fully as discouraged, set out on his return, as the cold, wintry night was closing in, and he reached the long, open street along the river without any incident worth notice; but while walking wearily along, and when not far from his lodging-place, he was accosted by a well-dressed man, who placed his hand on his shoulder and said, in a pleasant voice,--
"I think you are looking for something to do, my son?"
"Yes, sir," was Jim's reply, his heart bounding with renewed hope at the prospect of employment.
"Are you willing to do anything?"
"Anything that's honest and right."
"I wouldn't ask you to do what was not right," added the stranger, as if he was hurt at the idea.
"What is it you want me to do?"
"How would you like to work on a vessel?"