He was not obliged to obtain a certain sum in order to escape a beating at night.

He had no master to account to.

He was his own employer, as long as he kept out of the clutches of the padrone.
Phil continued to roam about the streets very much after the old fashion, playing here and there as he thought it expedient.

By noon he had picked up seventy-five cents, and felt very well satisfied with his success.

But if, as we are told, the hour that is darkest is just before day, it also happens sometimes that danger lies in wait for prosperity, and danger menaced our young hero, though he did not know it.