Chapter 1 Summary

The story begins with a street fight between two groups of boys: the Rum Alley boys vs. the Devil's Row boys. The boys are hurling rocks and insults at each other. Jimmie, a tiny would-be champion stands in the middle of the group on a heap of gravel articulating his own curses. The enemies charge him and tackle him, throwing punches, insults, and rocks. Soon, Jimmie is a bloody mess with tears staining his dirty face.

As the Devil's Row boys began to revel in their conquest, a 16-year-old boy saunters down the avenue. He walks up behind one of the Devil's Row boys and hits him fiercely on the head. He and other boys notice the size of him and they retreat, which saves Jimmie from the fight. The Rum Alley boys head for home. Soon, another fight breaks out between Jimmie...