Jack stood on top of a crate, surveying the scene. Nobody seemed to care that they were striking. Not even the Delanceys. Sure, they were small, but that didn't mean they couldn't make a difference, right?

Specs ran up beside Jack. "They're coming! They're coming!"

"Who's coming? The redcoats?"

"No! The scabs!"

"We can take them easy Specs, you know that."

"Sure I do, but there's more of them now."

"More?"

"Yeah, and they got weapons. And they're with the Delanceys."

"Well then, we best get ready then." Jack said. "Newsies! Assemble!"

The boys ran into lines. Jack began to call out orders and positions. Specs noticed Race standing to the side and ran to him.

"God Race, what's bothering you?" Specs asked, staring at the boy.

"I did something real bad, Specs. Real bad. I can't go out there and fight."

"Race, it couldn't have been that bad. What happened?"

"I beat up a kid. A little one. Just because I wanted to. I might've really hurt him!"

Specs stood staring at Race, a shocked expression on his face. "Really? Race, how could you do that? I thought we promised not to hurt the kids!"

"I know, I know! And he has a big brother too. If I go out there, I'll be dead for sure."

"What am I gonna tell Jack?"

"I dunno! Tell him I'm sick or something!"

Specs sighed. "Fine."

He walked off, secretly furious. How could Race do that?

••••

"Okay, here's the plan. We storm in, and we don't try and fight. We go right past them. We take the papers and we leave. Got it?" Oscar said.

"What if they fight us?" Otto asked.

"We don't fight back. Just keep walking. But if you see the Higgins kid, you fight him. Kill him for all I care." Morris stated.

"Les, you're staying here." David said firmly.

"But I wanna help!"

"We can't risk that kid beating you up again. Or any other kid for that matter. You're staying here."

Les groaned. "Fine." He plopped himself on the ground and pouted.

"Let's go."