The cars were at length emptied of their living freight, and most of the passengers had secured their baggage.  Those who wished to ride, had mostly engaged seats in the various hacks and coaches, whose drivers accosted every passenger, as he got out of the cars, with their invitations to “ride up.”  Alfred and Oscar now started to look after the stage-coach in which they rode to the depot.  They found it loaded with passengers and baggage, and the driver was talking with two small lads, of from twelve to thirteen years of age.

“Here, Alf,” said the driver, “you are just the fellow I want, but I thought you had gone.  These boys want to go to the hotel, but I have n’t room to take them.  They say they had just as lief walk, and if you ’ll let them go with you, I ’ll take their trunk along.”

This was readily agreed to.  The driver made room for the trunk on the top of the coach, and the young strangers started for the hotel, in company with Alfred and Oscar.  As they walked along, they grew quite sociable.  The two new-comers,—­who, by the way, were quite respectable in their appearance,—­stated that they belonged in one of the cities of Maine, and had never been in Boston before.  They were brothers; and both their parents being dead, they said they were on their way to the west, where they had an uncle, who had sent for them to come and live with him.  They had a good many questions to ask about Boston, and said they meant to look around the city some the next day, as they must resume their journey on Monday.  Alfred said he would go with them, and show them the principal sights; and Oscar, too, would have gladly volunteered, were it not that his father required him to go to church and the Sabbath-school on that day, and to stay in the house when not thus engaged.

The boys had now reached the hotel, where the trunk had already arrived.  A room was appropriated to the young guests, and Alfred and Oscar conducted them to it, and remained awhile in conversation with them.  By-and-bye, the oldest of the strangers asked Alfred if he would go and show them where they could buy some good pistols.  Alfred readily agreed to this, and the four boys started off towards the shops where such articles are sold.  On their way through the crowded streets, the new-comers found much to attract their attention.  They seemed inclined to stop at every shop window, to admire some object, and it was nearly dark when they reached the place where they were to make their purchase.  Here, amid the variety of pistols that were exhibited to them, they were for a time unable to decide which to choose.  At length, however, aided by the advice of Alfred and Oscar, they picked out two that they concluded to buy.  They also purchased a quantity of powder and balls, and then desired to look at some dirks, two of which they decided to take.  Some fine pocket-knives next arrested their attention, which were examined, and greatly admired by all the boys.  The oldest of the strangers, who did all the business, concluded to take four of these, and then settled for all the articles purchased.  The bill was not very small, but his pocket-book was evidently well supplied, and he paid it with out any difficulty.