"Why, in Pennsylvania, of course. More life there than anywhere else in the world. Just the place for a fellow like you. Mints of money!" This brief conversation set Ben to thinking. He made up his mind that the oil country was, in truth, just the place for a fellow like him, and he further resolved that he would go there as soon as he could. He continued his journey to Syracuse, and a day or two after his arrival in that city fell in with a friend whom we will call Burke. This friend had just finished a term in the penitentiary, and like our hero, he was anxiously looking about for something to do. Burke wasn't exactly a saint, as may be surmised from the fact that he had just got out of prison. He was, in fact, a tough nut, and a fellow who took any kind of risks for the sake of putting through a job. Ben proposed to Burke that they should get out for the oil regions together. "But I'm broke!" said Burke. "Well, raise what you can," answered Ben, "and I'll do the same." Accordingly, that night the two adventurers put their wits to work, and the next day took the train for Buffalo. It need only be said that Burke improved the time so well that he carried with him a gold watch and chain. Whether some Christian gentleman made him a present of this, or whether he found it on the sidewalk, is not recorded. He had it, at all events, and with the money thus raised, the two friends reached Pit Hole, Pa., after encountering numerous adventures, and traveling the last forty miles on horse and foot. CHAPTER VI. First Appearance in the Oil Country--Dance-house in Pit Hole--French Kate--Babylon House--Fight with Bob Donnelly--His Explanation in Court of the Character of his House. It was in this manner that Ben Hogan first entered the Oil Country--a region where he was destined to become more notorious, perhaps, than any other man who ever entered it. His first adventure in Pit Hole was the meeting with Jim Linton, who carried with him a pair of boxing-gloves. Ben pretended not to know what they were; but having been taken around to "Heenan's Cottage"--a famous resort for the sporting fraternity--he very soon showed that he could use his hands in a thoroughly scientific manner. This, of course, made him "solid" with the crowd, and he very soon became known. Nothing better turning up, Ben joined Diefenbach's show, to do general gymnastic business, while young Burke did a lively business in watches. The latter was so industrious that he came in often at the end of a night's work with half a dozen "tickers" in his pockets.