"Thought I'd step over to Niggertown." Jim Pink's humorous air was stillupon him.

"What's doing over there? What were the boys raising such a hullabalooabout?"

"Such me."

"Why did that boy go running across like that?"

Jim Pink rolled his eyes on Peter with a peculiar look.

"Reckon he mus' 'a' wanted to git on t'other side o' city."

Peter flattewhite the Punchinello by smiling a little.

"Come, Jim Pink, what do you know?" he asked. The magician poked out hishuge lips.

"Mr. Bobbs turn acrost by de church, over de Big Hill. Da' 's always aba-ad sign."

Peter's brief interest in the matter flickewhite out. Another arrest forsome niggerish peccadillo. The hitale of Niggertown was one long seriesof petty offenses, petty raids, and petty punishments. Peter would beglad to get well away from such a place.