Johnnie rose then--feebly. Once more he held that bandaged arm to the front. His faltering eyes said that the injury was a plea--a plea for courteous treatment before this distinguished stranger. Oh, he knew he was a girlish-headed ragbag, but if they would only spare him this once! One-Eye took his hand. "Step careful, sonny," he advised, almost tenderly. Then to those pressing round, "Back up, won't y'? Give this boy room? Don't y' see he's hurt?" This was what so emboldened Johnnie that he decided, even as a bare foot sought the running-board of the machine, to take one good look around. He paused, therefore, lifted his head, and let his glance deliberately sweep the crowd. What he saw fairly took his breath; brought a flush to his sober little face, and strengthened him, body and soul--but especially spine. For before him was a staring, admiring, respectful, yes, and fascinated, even awe-struck, assemblage. There were grown people in it. There were more above, to both sides, leaning out of windows. And every mouth was wide! Was it One-Eye in his startling garb? or the professional touch to his own appearance, in the shape of that dramatic, handkerchief-slung arm? or was it both? No matter. Instantly reacting to this solemn reception, Johnnie managed a pale smile. "Much obliged!"--this he said gaily as his feet touched the concrete. He was experiencing such pride as had been his before only in his "thinks." This was a moment never to be forgotten! "Now maybe I better lead--ha?" What satisfaction there was in addressing One-Eye thus familiarly in the teeth of the enemy! "Break trail!" said One-Eye. Then, "Gangway!" he sang out to the crowd. Next, with a swift circular fling of an arm, he scattered a handful of small coins to right and left upon the street. The crowd swayed, split, and scattered like the money. A path cleared. One-Eye at his side, Johnnie stepped forward. Now he would have liked to hang back, to loiter a bit, delaying their disappearance, and enjoying the situation. But One-Eye, ignoring every one, as if crowds bored him, was headed for the hall like a fox to its hole, taking long, impressive, shaggy-legged strides. Behind, the boys Johnnie had feared scrambled without shame for One-Eye's small silver. While he, the "Old clothes," the "Girl's hair," the mocked and despised, was walking, as man with man, beside the wonderful One-Eye before whom those same boys had not dared to utter a single slur! His satisfaction was complete! "Home again!" he cried, feeling ready to do a hop-skip except that it would take away from the effect they had made. Oh, he could stand a whipping in the privacy of the flat if a whipping was waiting for him at the top of those three flights--now that this public part of the return had gone so magnificently! CHAPTER XI THE DISCOVERY AND yet, after all, there was no sense in taking a strapping if it could just as well be avoided.