There are two great gangs on the East side. These are the
"Five Points" and the "Monk Eastmans." There are smaller gangs,
but each owes allegiance to either the one or the other of the
two great gangs, and fights round its standard in event of general
gang war.
There is danger in belonging to either of these gangs. But
there is still greater danger jn not belonging to one of them. I
speak of folk of The Bottler's ways and walks. The Five Points
and Monk Eastmans are at feud with one another and the fires
of their warfare are never permitted to die out. Membership in
one gang means that, to the extent of its power, it will buckle
you against the other while you live and avenge you should you
fall. Membership in neither, however, means that you will be
raided and robbed by both.
The Bottler's stuss house was-like every other of its kind-a
Castle Dangerous. To the end that the peril of his days and nights
be reduced to a minimum, he united himself with the Five Points.
True, he could not be counted upon as a "shtocker" or strong-arm;
but he had money and would part with it, and gang war like all
war demands treasure. Bonds must be given, fines paid, and The
Bottler would have his uses. Wherefore the Five Points, opened
their ranks to receive him.
