"I say, Ben," he replied, "you did that bully. You'd make a tip-top actor." "Would I?" said Ben, complacently. "I think I'd like to try it if I knew enough. How much money have you got, Barney?" "Nary a red. I spent the last on peanuts." "Just my case. We'll have to find some place to turn in for the night." "I know a place," said Barney, "if they'll let us in." "Whereabouts is it?" "Down to Dover Street wharf." "What sort of a place is it? There aint any boxes or old wagons, are there?" "No, it's under the wharf,--a bully place." "Under the wharf! It's wet, isn't it?" "No, you just come along. I'll show you." Having no other place to suggest, Ben accepted his companion's guidance, and the two made their way by the shortest route to the wharf named. It is situated not far from Fulton Ferry on the east side. It may be called a double wharf. As originally built, it was found too low for the class of vessels that used it, and another flooring was built over the first, leaving a considerable space between the two. Its capabilities for a private rendezvous occurred to a few boys, who forthwith proceeded to avail themselves of it. It was necessary to carry on their proceedings secretly; otherwise there was danger of interference from the city police. What steps they took to make their quarters comfortable will shortly be described. When they reached the wharf, Barney looked about him with an air of caution, which Ben observed. "What are you scared of?" asked Ben. "We mustn't let the 'copp' see us," said Barney, "Don't make no noise." Thus admonished, Ben followed his companion with as little noise as possible. "How do you get down there?" he asked. "I'll show you," said Barney. He went to the end of the wharf, and, motioning Ben to look over, showed him a kind of ladder formed by nailing strips of wood, at regular intervals, from the outer edge down to the water's edge. This was not an arrangement of the boys, but was for the accommodation of river-boats landing at the wharf. "I'll go down first," whispered Barney. "If the 'copp' comes along, move off, so he won't notice nothin'." "All right!" said Ben. Barney got part way down the ladder, when a head was protruded from below, and a voice demanded, "Who's there?" "It's I,--Barney Flynn." "Come along, then." "I've got a fellow with me," continued Barney. "Who is it?" "It's Ben, the baggage-smasher. He wants to stop here to-night." "All right; we can trust him." "Come along, Ben," Barney called up the ladder.