The Runaway | Page 6

he had dared, he would have begged
permission to stay there on the bed. But Bill told him that it was time to
start and look up a ship, for he had only money enough to last another
day. After breakfast they started, and inquired at every place which Bill
knew, but without success; no men or boys were wanted.
In the afternoon, Rodney was terribly frightened at seeing his
brother-in-law walking along the wharves. He knew in a moment that
he had come to New York to search for him; and he darted round a
corner into an alley, and hid himself behind some barrels, till he had
passed by. He afterwards learned that his brother-in-law had been
looking for him all day, and that he had found and taken his trunk, and
had been several times at places which he had just left. O! if he had
then abandoned his foolish and wicked course, and gone home with his
brother, how much misery he would have escaped! But he contrived to
keep out of his way.
That evening Bill said to him, as they were eating their supper in a
cellar--
"Rodney, to-morrow morning we must start for Philadelphia."
"But how shall we get there?"
"We shall have to tramp it."
"How far is it?"

"About a hundred miles."
"How long will it take?"
"Four or five days."
"But how shall we get anything to eat, or any place to sleep on the
road?"
"Tell a good story to the farmers, and sleep on the hay-mows."
Rodney began to find out that "the way of the transgressor is hard."
That night they went to the theatre. Bill had given Rodney a dirk,
which he carried in his bosom. They went up into the third tier of boxes,
which was filled with the most wicked and debased men and women.
While the rest were laughing, and talking, and cursing, Rodney sat
down on the front seat to see the play; but they made so much
confusion behind him that he could not hear, so he turned round, and
said, rather angrily: "I wish you wouldn't make so much noise."
"Who are you talking to?" shouted a rough, bully-looking man behind
him, with a terrible oath; "I'll pitch you into the pit, if you open your
head again."
He rushed towards him, but, quick as thought, Rodney snatched the
dirk from his breast, drew his arm back over his head, and told the
bully to keep off. The man stopped, and in an instant the whole theatre
was in confusion. The play on the stage ceased; and there, in full view,
leaning over the front of the box, stood the boy, with the weapon in his
hand, gleaming in the eyes of the whole audience.
Bill Seegor rushed to him, pulled him back toward the lobby, and took
the dagger from his hand. The bully then aimed a tremendous blow at
the boy's face, which fortunately was warded off by one of the women.
Just then a police-officer came up, and, taking Rodney by the collar, led
him down stairs. Half a dozen men, who were Bill's friends, followed;
and when they got into the street, they dashed against the officer, and

broke his hold, when Bill caught Rodney by the arm and told him to
run. They turned quickly through several streets, and escaped pursuit.
Do you think that Rodney was happy amid such scenes? Ah! no; he
was alarmed at himself. He felt degraded and guilty; he felt that he was
taking sudden and rapid strides in the path of debasement and vice. He
thought of his home and its sweet influences. He knew how deep would
be the grief of those who loved him, should they hear of his course. His
conscience condemned him, and he thought of what he was becoming
with horror. But he seemed to be drawn on by his wild desires, and felt
scarcely a disposition to escape the meshes of the net that was winding
around him.
The sailors praised him, and patted him on the back; told him that he
was a brave fellow,--that he was beginning right, and that there was
good stuff in him. And Rodney laughed, tickled by such praises, and
drank what they offered, and tried to stifle his conscience and harden
himself in sin. Yet often, when he was alone, did he shrink from
himself, and writhe under the lashings of conscience; and the
remembrance of home, and thoughts of his conduct, rendered him very
wretched.
CHAPTER V.
RODNEY IN PHILADELPHIA.
Young Rodney was prepared for an early start on the following
morning; and, in company with Bill Seegor, he crossed the ferry to
Jersey City just as the sun rose, and together they commenced their
journey to