“Looks like you done a fair bit of traveling already,” was the clerk’s only comment as he led Archie to the rear of the store and brought out armloads of trousers and shirts. After making his clothing purchases, Archie bought a sheath for Helen’s knife. “Never sold a sheath for a kitchen knife before,” the clerk said, shaking his head. “Sure you don’t want a good steel Bowie instead?” “Call me superstitious,” Archie said with a wry smile. “This one’s got me this far.” Fully dressed again, with a new hat and coat and good boots to replace his ruined shoes, Archie had gone down to the Allegheny docks wondering if people wandered half-naked out of the wilderness every day in Pittsburgh. He wore the knife on his hip at first, but became uncomfortable with it in view and shifted it around so it rested in the small of his back. It was a bit awkward there, but he felt better having it concealed. Pittsburgh was nothing like New York, Archie realized as he made his way along the waterfront.
