Page:Under the Gaslight.djvu/35

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across, reason or no reason. ( calls outside ) There's a noise.

Judas. It's only the market boys coming down for a swim.

Byke. Softly then, come along.

Ber. Say,, go down and see if any of the fellows is come yet. ( scrambles down to hole in front on side of dock; comes out again.)

Peanuts. There's nobody there.

Snorkey. (without.) Hollo!

Ber. Hollo! That's our new chum. Hollo! follow your front teeth, and you'll get here afore you knows it.

[Enter with more boys,

Snorkey. What a very airy location.

Ber. It's a very convenient hotel. Hot and cold saltwater baths at the very door of your bedrooms, and sometimes when the tide rises we has the bath brought to us in bed—doesn't we, ?

Peanuts. That's so.

Snorkey. Come, what do you do before you go to bed?

Ber. We has a swarry. Say, one of you fellows, go down and bring up the piany forty. ( goes into hole and gets banjo.) What'll I give you?

Snorkey. Something lively. (Music, and dance by boys, ensue,—given according to capacity and talent. At the end of it, a general shout of jubilee; when—

Sergeant of Patrol. (Outside.) Here, boys! less noise.

Ber. It's and the police. Let's go to bed. ( and boys get down into hole.)

Sergeant. (Entering in patrol boat.) If you boys don't make less noise, I'll have to clear you out.

Ber. (On the pier.) It's an extra occasion, Mr. ;—we're having a distinguished military guest, and we're entertaining him. (Boat passes out, ) Come along,, let's go to bed. ( is about to descend.)

(Enter, on pier.)

Ray. Is that you, ?

Snorkey. (Quickly whispering.) Here, sir. Anything turned up?

Ray. was overheard to say he intended crossing the river to-night; he will doubtless use that boat which he keeps by the Boston Pier. The river patrol are on the watch for him. But I will meet him before he can embark.

Snorkey. Which Boston Pier is it, Cap'n? there are three on this river.

Ray. Three!

Snorkey. Yes; one of them is two slips below. I tell you what, Cap'n: You get the officers, go by the shore way, search all the slips; I'll find a boat about here, and will drop down the river, and keep an eye around generally.

Voice. (Without, ) This way, sir.

Ray. That's the patrol calling me. Your idea is a good one. Keep a sharp eye down the stream.

Snorkey. (Alone.) Now for my lay.

Ber. (Popping his head up.) Say, can't I do nothin? I'm the Fifth-Ward Chicken, and if there's any muss, let me have a shy.

Snorkey. No; get in and keep quiet. ( disappears.) I won-