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THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 

OF  CALIFORNIA 
LOS  ANGELES 


PATIENCE  WINS. 


^^^^ 


CONCERNING   MR.    O.    MANVILLE  FENN 

THE  PRESS   SAYS: 

"Our  boys  know  Mr.  Fenn  well,  his  stories  having  won  for  him  a  fore- 
most place  in  their  estimation." — I'all  Mall  Gazette. 

"Mr.  Manville  Fenn  may  be  regarded  as  the  successor  in  boyhood's 
affections  of  Captain  Mayne  Reid." — Academy. 

"  Who  can  tvrite  a  better  boy's  book,  or  zvho  can  point  a  finer  moral,  than 
George  Manville  J'Vnn?"— Schoolmaster. 

"Mr.  George  Manville  Fenn  rs  amongst  the  few  authors  7vho  can  write 
such  books  as  strike  the  fancy  of  intelligent  lads.  He  has  a  bright,  cheery, 
manly  style,  ivhich  takes  ivith  the  youngsters;  his  stories  are  never  dull, 
and  he  never  'preaches,'  or  if  he  does  it  is  in  such  a  fashion  that  the  lads 
do  not  detect  it." — Nottingham  Journal. 

"  Sfr.  Fenn  has  much  of  the  inventiveness  of  the  tvell-knoion  French 
writer  Jules  Verne;  indeed,  he  is  in  the  front  rank  of  writers  of  stories  for 
boys.  Parents  sjyecially  ought  to  be  very  thankful  to  him  for  providing 
their  sons  with  so  much  wholesome  and  fascinating  amusement  in  the  way 
of  literature."— lAv erpool  Mercury. 


/ 


'•LUCKY   YOW   WEERN'T   THEER,"   SAID   STEVENS. 


PATIEI^CE    WINS 


OR    WAR    IN    THE    WORKS. 


BY 


G.   MANVILLE   FENN 

Author  of  " Bunyip  Land ; "  "The  Golden  Magnet;"  "Menhardoc;"  "Brownsmith's  Boy ; " 
"  In  the  King's  Name ;  "  "  Nat  the  Naturalist ; "  &c.  &c. 


WITH  SIX  PAGE  ILLUSTRATIONS. 


NEW  EDITION. 


LONDON 

BLACKIE   &  SON,  Limited,   50   OLD   BAILEY,  E.O. 

GLASGOW   AND   DUBLIN 


W639 

CONTENTS. 


Chap.  Page 

I.  A  Family  Council 9 

II.  A  Fiery  Place, 17 

III.  A  Bad  Beginning, 27 

IV.  Our  Engine, 40 

V.  A  Night  of  Anxiety, 53 

VI.  "Do  LET  me  come," 66 

VII.  A  USEFUL  Ally, 82 

VIII.  On  Guard, 91 

IX.  Drowning  an  Enemy, 106 

X.  '"Night,  Mate," 116 

XL  Pannell's  Pet, 122 

XII.  Pannell's  Secret, 133 

XIII.  Only  a  Glass  of  Water, 142 

XIV.  Uncle  Bob's  Patient, 152 

XV.  I  have  an  Idea, 175 

XVI.  Something  for  Me 184 

XVII.  My  Travelling  Companion, 194 

XVIII.  Against  the  Law, 207 

XIX.  Pannell  says  Nothing, 222 

XX.  A  CoMPAi^ioN  IN  Trouble, 234 

XXI.  What  I  Caught  and  Heard, 251 

XXII.  Stevens  has  a  Word  with  Me, 270 

XXIII.  I    START    FOR    A    WaLK, 283 

XXIV.  Uncle  Jack  and  I  have  a  Run, 298 

XXV.  A  Terrible  Risk, 316 

XXVI.  Fire  and  Water, 333 

XXVII.  Eight  Years  later, 345 


rynA  O^.'f  A 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


Page 
"Lucky  yow  weern't  theer,"  said  Stevens,    .    .  Frontis.  275 

"Piter  made  a  dash  at  their  Legs,"      . 87 

A  Talk  with  Pannell  the  Smith 140 

Cob's  Adventure  on  the  Railway,  .    .     .     , 202 

A  Plunge  into  the  Wheel-pit, 233 

Cob  hunted  by  the  Arrowpield  Mob .  287 


PATIENCE  WINS: 

OR    WAR    IN    THE    WORKa 


CHAPTER  I. 

A  FAMILY   COUNCIL. 


SAY,  Uncle  Dick,  do  tell  me  what  sort  of  a 
place  it  is." 

"Oh,  you'll  see  when  you  get  there!" 
"Uncle  Jack,  you  tell  me  then;  what's 
it  like?" 

"  Like!     What,  Arrowfield?     Ask  Uncle  Bob." 
"There,  Uncle  Bob,  I'm  to  ask  you.     Do  tell  me 
what  sort  of  a  place  it  is  ? " 

"  Get  out,  you  young  nuisance!" 
"  What  a  shame ! "  I  said.     "  Here  are  you  three  great 
clever  men,  who  know  all  about  it;  you've  been  down 
half  a  dozen  times,  and  yet  you  won't  answer  a  civil 
question  when  you  are  asked." 

I  looked  in  an  ill-used  way  at  my  three  uncles,  as 
they  sat  at  the  table  covered  with  papers;  and  except 
that  one  would  be  a  little  darker  than  the  other,  I 
could  not  help  thinking  how  very  much  they  were 
alike,  and  at  the  same  time  like  my  father,  only  that 


10  MY   UNCLES. 

he  had  some  gray  coming  at  the  sides  of  his  head. 
They  were  all  big  fine-looking  men  between  thirty 
and  forty,  stern  enough  when  they  were  busy,  but 
wonderfully  good-tempered  and  full  of  fun  when 
business  was  over;  and  I'm  afraid  they  spoiled  me. 

When,  as  I  say,  business  was  over,  they  were  ready 
for  anything  with  me,  and  though  I  had  a  great  feeling 
of  reverence,  almost  dread,  for  my  father,  my  three  big 
uncles  always  seemed  to  me  like  companions,  and  they 
treated  me  as  if  I  were  their  equal. 

Cricket!  Ah!  many's  the  game  we've  had  together. 
They'd  take  me  fishing,  and  give  me  the  best  pitch, 
and  see  that  I  caught  fish  if  they  did  not. 

Tops,  marbles,  kite-flying,  football;  insect  and  egg 
collecting;  geology,  botany,  chemistry;  they  were  at 
home  with  all,  and  I  shared  in  the  game  or  pursuit  as 
eagerly  as  they. 

I've  known  the  time  when  they'd  charge  into  the 
room  at  Canonbury,  where  I  was  busy  with  the  private 
tutor — for  I  did  not  go  to  school — with  "  Mr.  Headley, 
Mr.  Russell  would  like  to  speak  to  you;"  and  as  soon 
as  he  had  left  the  room,  seize  hold  of  me,  and  drag  me 
out  of  my  chair  with,  "  Come  along.  Cob:  work's  closed 
for  the  day.     Country!" 

Then  away  we'd  go  for  a  delicious  day's  collecting, 
or  something  of  the  kind. 

They  used  to  call  it  slackening  their  bands,  and 
mine. 

Time  had  glided  on  very  happily  till  I  was  sixteen, 
and  there  was  some  talk  of  my  being  sent  to  a  great 
engineer's  establishment  for  five  or  six  years  to  learn 
all  I  could  before  being  taken  on  at  our  own  place  in 
Bermondsey,  where  Russell  &  Company  carried  on 
business,  and  knocked  copper  and  brass  and  tin  about, 


ABOUT    ARROWFIELD.  11 

and  made  bronze,  and  gun-metal,  and  did  a  great  deal 
for  other  firms  with  furnaces,  and  forges,  and  steam- 
engines,  wheels,  and  lathes. 

My  father  was  "Russell" — Alexander — and  Uncle 
Dick,  Uncle  Jack,  and  Uncle  Bob  were  "  Company." 
The  business,  as  I  say,  was  in  Bermondsey,  but  we  lived 
together  and  didn't  live  together  at  Canonbury. 

That  sounds  curious, but  I'll  explain: — We  had  two 
houses  next  door  to  each  other.  Captain's  quarters, 
and  the  barracks. 

My  father's  house  was  the  Captain's  quarters,  where 
I  lived  with  my  mother  and  sister.  The  next  door, 
where  my  uncles  were,  they  called  the  barracks,  where 
they  had  their  bed-rooms  and  sitting-room;  but  they 
took  all  their  meals  at  our  table. 

As  I  said  before  things  had  gone  on  very  happily  till 
I  was  sixteen — a  big  sturdy  ugly  boy. 

Uncle  Dick  said  I  was  the  ugliest  boy  he  knew. 

Uncle  Jack  said  I  was  the  most  stupid. 

Uncle  Bob  said  I  was  the  most  ignorant. 

But  we  were  the  best  of  friends  all  the  same. 

And  now  after  a  great  deal  of  discussion  with  my 
father,  and  several  visits,  my  three  uncles  were  seated 
at  the  table,  and  I  had  asked  them  about  Arrowfield, 
and  you  have  read  their  answers. 

I  attacked  them  again. 

"  Oh,  I  say,"  I  cried,  "  don't  talk  to  a  fellow  as  if  he 
were  a  little  boy !  Come,  Uncle  Dick,  what  sort  of  a 
place  is  Arrowfield?" 

"  Land  of  fire." 

"  Oh !"  I  cried.     "  Is  it,  Uncle  Jack  ?" 

"  Land  of  smoke." 

"  Land  of  fire  and  smoke!"  I  cried  excitedly.  "Uncle 
Bob,  are  they  making  fun  of  me?" 


12  NOT  boys'  business. 

"  Land  of  noise,  and  gloom,  and  fog,"  said  Uncle  Bob. 
"A  horrible  place  in  a  hole." 

"And  are  we  going  there?" 

"  Don't  know,"  said  Uncle  Bob.     "  Wait  and  see." 

They  went  on  with  their  drawings  and  calculations, 
and  I  sat  by  the  fire  in  the  barrack  room,  that  is,  in 
their  sitting-room,  trying  to  read,  but  with  my  head 
in  a  whirl  of  excitement  about  Arrowfield,  when  my 
father  came  in,  laid  his  hand  on  my  head,  and  turned 
to  my  uncles. 

"  Well,  boys,"  he  said,  "  how  do  you  bring  it  in  ? 
What's  to  be  done  ?  " 

"  Sit  down,  and  let's  settle  it,  Alick,"  said  Uncle 
Dick,  leaning  back  and  spreading  his  big  beard  all 
over  his  chest. 

"Ah,  do!"  cried  Uncle  Jack,  rubbing  his  curly  head. 

"  Once  and  for  all,"  said  Uncle  Bob,  drawing  his 
chair  forward,  stooping  down,  taking  up  his  left  leg 
and  holdinfj  it  across  his  rio^ht  knee. 

My  father  drew  forward  an  easy-chair,  looking  very 
serious,  and  resting  his  hand  on  the  back  before  sitting 
down,  he  said  without  looking  at  me: 

"  Go  to  your  mother  and  sister,  Jacob." 

I  rose  quickly,  but  with  my  forehead  wrinkling  all 
over,  and  I  turned  a  pitiful  look  on  my  three  uncles. 

"What  are  you  going  to  send  him  away  for?"  said 
Uncle  Dick. 

"  Because  this  is  not  boys'  business." 

"Oh,  nonsense!"  said  Uncle  Jack.  "He'll  be  as 
interested  in  it  as  we  are." 

"  Yes,  let  him  stop  and  hear,"  said  Uncle  Bob. 

"  Very  good.  I'm  agreeable,"  said  my  father.  "  Sit 
down,  Jacob." 

I  darted  a  grateful  look  at  my  uncles,  spreading  it 


DEBATING   THE   CAMPAIGN.  13 

round  so  that  they  all  had  a  glance,  and  dropped  back 
into  my  seat. 

"Well,"  said  my  father,  "am  I  to  speak?" 

"  Yes." 

This  was  in  chorus;  and  my  father  sat  thinking  for 
a  few  minutes,  during  which  I  exchanged  looks  and 
nods  with  my  uncles,  all  of  which  was  very  satisfactory. 

"  Well,"  said  my  father  at  last,  "  to  put  it  in  short, 
plain  English,  we  four  have  each  our  little  capital 
embarked  in  our  works." 

Here  there  were  three  nods. 

"  We've  all  tried  everything  we  knew  to  make  the 
place  a  success,  but  year  after  year  goes  by  and  we 
find  ourselves  worse  off.  In  three  more  bad  years  we 
shall  be  ruined." 

"  And  Jacob  will  have  to  set  to  work  and  keep  us 
all,"  said  Uncle  Dick. 

My  father  looked  round  at  me  and  nodded,  smiling 
sadly,  and  I  could  see  that  he  was  in  great  trouble. 

"Here  is  our  position,  then,  boys:  Grandison  k>  Co. 
are  waiting  for  our  answer  in  Bermondsey.  They'll 
buy  everything  as  it  stands  at  a  fair  valuation;  that's 
one  half.  The  other  is:  the  ag-ents  at  Arrowfield  are 
waiting  also  for  our  answer  about  the  works  to  let 
there." 

Here  he  paused  for  a  few  moments  and  then  went 
on: 

"  We  must  look  the  matter  full  in  the  face.  If  we 
stay  as  we  are  the  trade  is  so  depreciating  that  we 
shall  be  ruined.  If  we  go  to  Arrowfield  we  shall  have 
to  begin  entirely  afresh;  to  fight  against  a  great  many 
difiiculties;  the  workmen  there  are  ready  to  strike,  to 
turn  upon  you  and  destroy." 

Uncle  Dick  made  believe  to  spit  in  his  hands. 


14  THE   RISKS   TO   RUN. 

"  To  commit  oiitrasres." 

Uncle  Jack  tucked  up  his  sleeves. 

"  And  ratten  and  blow  up." 

Uncle  Bob  half  took  off  his  coat. 

"In  short,  boys,  we  shall  have  a  terribly  hard  fight; 
but  there  is  ten  times  the  opening  there,  and  we  may 
make  a  great  success.  That  is  our  position,  in  short," 
said  my  father.     "  What  do  you  say  ? " 

My  three  uncles  looked  hard  at  him  and  then  at  one 
another,  seemed  to  read  each  other's  eyes,  and  turned 
back  to  him. 

"You're  oldest,  Alick,  and  head  of  the  firm,"  said 
Uncle  Dick;  "settle  it." 

"  No,"  said  my  father,  "  it  shall  be  settled  by  you 
three." 

"  I  know  what  I  think,"  said  Uncle  Jack ;  "  but  I'd 
rather  you'd  say." 

"  My  mind's  made  up,"  said  Uncle  Bob,  "  but  I  don't 
want  to  be  speaker.     You  settle  it,  Alick." 

"No,"  said  my  father;  "1  have  laid  the  case  before 
you  three,  who  have  equal  stakes  in  the  risk,  and  you 
shall  settle  the  matter." 

There  was  a  dead  silence  in  the  room,  which  was  so 
still  that  the  sputtering  noise  made  by  the  big  lamp 
and  the  tinkle  of  a  few  cinders  that  fell  from  the  fire 
sounded  painfully  loud.  They  looked  at  each  other, 
but  no  one  spoke,  till  Uncle  Dick  had  fidgeted  about 
in  his  chair  for  some  time,  and  then,  giving  his  big 
beard  a  twitch,  he  bent  forward. 

I  heard  my  other  uncles  sigh  as  if  they  were  relieved, 
and  they  sat  back  farther  in  their  seats  listening  for 
what  Uncle  Dick,  who  was  the  eldest,  might  wish  to 
say. 

"  Look  here,"  he  cried  at  last. 


((  T  fT'o     ATT     rtr\  " 


LETS   ALL   GO.  15 

Everybody  did  look  there,  but  saw  nothing  but 
Uncle  Dick,  who  kept  tugging  at  one  lock  of  his  beard, 
as  if  that  was  the  string  that  would  let  loose  a  whole 
shower-bath  of  words. 

"  Well!"  he  said,  and  there  was  another  pause. 

"  Here,"  he  cried,  as  if  seized  by  a  sudden  fit  of 
inspiration,  "  let's  hear  what  Cob  has  to  say." 

"Bravo!  Hear,  hear,  hear!"  cried  my  two  uncles  in 
chorus,  and  Uncle  Dick  smiled  and  nodded  and  looked 
as  if  he  felt  highly  satisfied  with  himself;  while  I,  with 
a  face  that  seemed  to  be  all  on  fire,  jumped  up  ex- 
citedly and  cried: 

"  Let's  all  go  and  begin  again." 

"  That's  it — that  settles  it,"  cried  Uncle  Bob. 

"  Yes,  yes,"  said  Uncle  Dick  and  Uncle  Jack.  "  He's 
quite  right.     We'll  go." 

Then  all  three  beat  upon  the  table  with  book  and 
pencil  and  compasses,  and  cried,  "  Hear,  hear,  hear ! " 
while  I  shrank  back  into  my  chair,  and  felt  half 
ashamed  of  myself  as  I  glanced  at  my  father  and 
wondered  whether  he  was  angry  on  account  of  what  I 
had  proposed. 

"  That  is  settled  then,"  he  said  quietly.  "  Jacob  has 
been  your  spokesman ;  and  now  let  me  add  my  opinion 
that  you  have  taken  the  right  course.  What  I  propose 
is  this,  that  one  of  us  stays  and  carries  on  the  business 
here  till  the  others  have  got  the  Arrowfield  afiair  in 
full  swing.     Who  will  stay?" 

There  was  no  answer. 

"Shall  I?"  said  my  father. 

"  Yes,  if  you  will,"  they  chorused. 

"  Very  good,"  said  my  father.  "  I  am  glad  to  do  so, 
for  that  will  give  me  plenty  of  time  to  make  arrange- 
ments for  Jacob  here." 


16  JACOB  IS  TO   GO. 

"  But  he  must  go  with  us,"  said  Uncle  Dick. 

"  Yes,  of  course,"  said  Uncle  Jack. 

"  Couldn't  go  without  him." 

"But  his  education  as  an  engineer?" 

"  Now,  look  here,  Alick,"  said  Uncle  Dick,  "  don't 
you  think  he'll  learn  as  much  with  us  down  at  the  new 
works  as  in  any  London  place?" 

My  father  sat  silent  and  thoughtful,  while  I  watched 
the  play  of  his  countenance  and  trembled  as  I  saw  how 
he  was  on  the  balance.  For  it  would  have  been  terrible 
to  me  to  have  gone  away  now  just  as  a  new  life  of 
excitement  and  adventure  was  opening  out. 

"  Do  you  really  feel  that  you  would  like  Jacob  to  go 
with  you?"  said  my  father  at  last. 

There  was  a  unanimous  "Yes!"  at  this,  and  my 
heart  gave  a  jump. 

"  Well,  then,"  said  my  father,  "  he  shall  go." 

That  settled  the  business,  except  a  general  shaking 
of  hands,  for  we  were  all  delighted,  little  thinking,  in 
our  innocence,  of  the  troubles,  the  perils,  and  the 
dangers  through  which  we  should  have  to  go 


■^ 


fes- 


(322) 


CHAPTER    II. 


A   FIERY   PLACE. 


0  time  was  lost.  The  agreements  were  signed, 
and  Uncle  Dick  packed  up  his  traps,  as  he 
called  them,  that  is  to  say,  his  books,  clothes, 
and  models  and  contrivances,  so  as  to  go 
down  at  once,  take  possession  of  the  works,  and  get 
apartments  for  us. 

I  should  have  liked  to  go  with  him,  but  I  had  to 
stay  for  another  week,  and  then^  after  a  hearty  fare- 
well, we  others  started,  my  father,  mother,  and  sister 
seeing  us  off  by  rail;  and  until  I  saw  the  trees,  hedges, 
and  houses  seeming  to  fly  by  me  I  could  hardly  believe 
that  we  were  really  on  our  way. 

Of  course  I  felt  a  little  low-spirited  at  leaving  home, 
and  I  was  a  little  angry  with  myself  for  seeming  to  be 
so  glad  to  get  away  from  those  who  had  been  so  patient 
and  kind,  but  I  soon  found  myself  arguing  that  it 
would  have  been  just  the  same  if  I  had  left  home  only 
to  go  to  some  business  place  in  London.  Still  I  was 
looking  very  gloomy  when  Uncle  Jack  clapped  me  on 
the  shoulder,  and  asked  me  if  I  didn't  feel  like  begin- 
ning to  be  a  man. 

"  No,"  I  said  sadly,  as  I  looked  out  of  the  window 
at  the  flying  landscape,  so  that  he  should  not  see  my 

(322)  B 


18  MY   FIRST   COAL-PIT. 

face.    "  I  feel  more  as  if  I  was  beginning  to  be  a  great 

"Nonsense!"  said  Uncle  Bob;  "you're  going  to  be  a 
man  now,  and  help  us." 

"Am  I?"  said  I  sadly. 

"  To  be  sure  you  are.  There,  put  tliat  gloomy  face 
in  your  pocket  and  learn  geography." 

They  both  chatted  to  me,  and  I  felt  a  little  better, 
but  anything  but  cheerful,  for  it  was  my  first  time  of 
leaving  home.  I  looked  at  the  landscape,  and  the 
towns  and  churches  we  passed,  but  nothing  seemed  to 
interest  me  till,  well  on  in  my  journey,  I  saw  a  sort  of 
wooden  tower  close  to  the  line,  with  a  wheel  standing 
half  out  of  the  top.  There  was  an  engine-house  close 
by — there  was  no  doubt  about  it,  for  I  could  see  the 
puffs  of  white  steam  at  the  top,  and  a  chimney.  There 
was  a  great  mound  of  black  slate  and  rubbish  by  the 
end;  but  even  though  the  railway  had  a  siding  close 
up  to  it,  and  a  number  of  trucks  were  standing  waiting, 
I  did  not  realize  what  the  place  was  till  Uncle  Jack 
said: 

"First  time  you've  seen  a  coal-pit,  eh?" 

"  Is  that  a  coal-pit  ? "  I  said,  looking  at  the  place  more 
eagerly. 

"  Those  are  the  works.  Of  course  you  can't  see  the 
shaft,  because  that's  only  like  a  big  square. well." 

"  But  I  thouf^ht  it  would  be  a  much  more  interesting 
place,"  I  said. 

"  Interesting  enough  down  below;  but  of  course  there 
is  nothing  to  see  at  the  top  but  the  engine,  cage,  and 
mouth  of  the  shaft." 

That  brightened  me  up  at  once.  There  was  some- 
thing to  think  about  in  connection  with  a  coal-mine — 
the  great  deep  shaft,  the  cage  going  up  and  down,  the 


THE   LAND   OF   FIRE.  19 

miners  with  their  safety-lamps  and  picks.  I  saw  it  all 
in  imagination  as  we  dashed  by  another  and  another 
mine.  Then  I  began  to  think  about  the  accidents  of 
which  I  had  read;  when  men  unfastened  their  wire- 
gauze  lamps,  so  that  they  might  do  that  wdiich  was 
forbidden  in  a  mine,  smoke  their  pipes.  The  match 
struck  or  the  opened  lamp  set  fire  to  the  gas,  when 
there  was  an  awful  explosion,  and  after  that  the  terrible 
dangers  of  the  after-damp,  that  fearful  foul  air  which 
no  man  could  breathe  for  long  and  live. 

There  were  hundreds  of  thoughts  like  this  to  take 
my  attention  as  we  raced  on  by  the  fast  train  till,  to 
my  surprise,  I  found  that  it  was  getting  dark,  and  the 
day  had  passed. 

"Here  we  are  close  to  it,"  said  Uncle  Jack;  "look, 
my  lad." 

I  gazed  out  of  the  window  on  our  right  as  the  train 
glided  on,  to  see  the  glare  as  of  a  city  on  fire :  the  glow 
of  a  dull  red  flickered  and  danced  upon  the  dense  clouds 
that  overhung  the  place.  Tall  chimneys  stood  up  like 
black  stakes  or  posts  set  up  in  the  reflection  of  open 
furnace  doors.  Here  a  keen  bright  light  w^ent  straight 
up  through  the  smoke  vv^ith  the  edges  exactly  defined 
— here  it  was  a  sharp  glare,  there  a  dull  red  glow,  and 
everywhere  there  seemed  to  be  fire  and  reflection,  and 
red  or  a'olden  smoke  mingled  with  a  dull  throbbing 
booming  sound,  which,  faintly  heard  at  first,  grew 
louder  and  louder  as  the  train  slackened  speed,  and  the 
pant  and  pulsation  of  the  engine  ceased. 

"Isn't  something  dreadful  the  matter?"  I  said,  as  I 
gazed  excitedly  from  the  window. 

"Matter!"  said  Uncle  Jack  laughing. 

"Yes,  isn't  the  place  on  fire?     Look!  look!     There 
there!" 


20  "LOOKS  horrible!" 

I  pointed  to  a  tierce  glare  that  seemed  to  reach  up 
into  the  skv,  cutting  the  dense  cloud  like  millions  of 
golden  arrows  shot  from  some  mighty  engine  all  at 
once. 

"  Yes,  I  see,  old  fellow,"  said  Uncle  Jack.  "  They 
have  just  tapped  a  furnace,  and  the  molten  metal  is 
running  into  the  moulds,  that's  all." 

"  But  the  whole  town  looks  as  if  it  were  in  a  blaze," 
I  said  nervously. 

"So  did  our  works  sometimes,  didn't  they?  Well, 
here  we  are  in  a  town  where  there  are  hundreds  upon 
hundreds  of  works  ten  times  as  big  as  ours.  Nearly 
everybody  is  either  forging,  or  casting,  or  grinding. 
The  place  is  full  of  steam-engines,  while  the  quantity 
of  coal  that  is  burnt  here  every  day  must  be  prodigious. 
Aha!  here's  Uncle  Dick." 

He  had  caught  sioht  of  us  before  we  saw  him,  and 
threw  open  the  carriage  door  ready  to  half  haul  us  out, 
as  he  shook  hands  as  if  we  had  not  met  for  months." 

"  That's  right,"  he  cried.  "  I  am  glad  you've  come. 
I've  a  cab  waiting.  Here,  porter,  lay  hold  of  this  bag- 
gage.    Well,  Cob,  what  do  you  think  of  Arrowfield?" 

"  Looks  horrible,"  I  said  in  the  disappointed  tones  of 
one  who  is  tired  and  hungry. 

"  Yes,  outside,"  said  Uncle  Dick;  "  but  wait  till  you 
see  the  inside." 

Uncle  Dick  was  soon  standing  in  what  he  called  the 
inside  of  AiTowfield — that  is  to  say  the  inside  of  the 
comfortable  furnished  lodgings  he  had  taken  right  up 
a  hill,  where,  over  a  cosy  tea-table  with  hot  country 
cakes  and  the  juiciest  of  hot  mutton  chops,  I  soon  for- 
got the  wearisome  nature  of  our  journey,  and  the  dis- 
mal look  of  the  town. 

"  Eat  away,  my  boys,"  cried  Uncle  Dick.     "  Yeat,  as 


"AVAST  joking!"  21 

they  call  it  here.  The  place  is  all  right;  everything 
ready  for  work,  and  we'll  set  to  with  stout  hearts,  and 
make  up  for  lost  time." 

"When  do  we  begin,  uncle — to-morrow?" 

"  No,  no:  not  till  next  Monday  morning.  To-morrow 
we'll  have  a  look  over  the  works,  and  then  we'll  idle 
a  bit — have  a  few  runs  into  the  country  round,  and  see 
what  it's  like." 

"  Black  dismal  place,"  I  said  dolefully.  . 

"  Says  he's  tired  out  and  wants  to  go  to  bed,"  said 
Uncle  Jack,  giving  his  eye  a  peculiar  cock  at  his 
brothers. 

"  I  didn't,"  I  cried. 

"  Not  in  words,  my  fine  fellow,  but  you  looked  it." 

"  Then  I  won't  look  so  again,"  I  cried.  "  I  say,  don't 
talk  to  me  as  if  I  were  a  little  boy  to  be  sent  to  bed." 

"Well,  you're  not  a  man  yet.  Cob.     Is  he,  boys?" 

Uncle  Dick  was  in  high  spirits,  and  he  took  up  a 
candle  and  held  it  close  to  my  cheek. 

"What's  the  matter?"  I  said.  "Is  it  black?  I 
shouldn't  wonder." 

"  Not  a  bit,  Cob,"  he  said  seriously.  "  You  can't  even 
see  a  bit  of  the  finest  down  growing." 

"  Oh,  I  say,"  I  cried,  "  it's  too  bad !  I  don't  pretend 
to  be  a  man  at  sixteen;  but  now  I've  come  down  here 
to  help  you  in  the  new  works,  you  oughtn't  to  treat 
me  as  if  I  were  a  little  boy." 

"Avast  joking!"  said  Uncle  Dick  quietly,  for  the 
comely  landlady  came  in  to  clear  away  the  tea-things, 
and  she  had  just  finished  when  there  was  a  double 
knock  at  the  front  door. 

We  heard  it  opened,  and  a  deep  voice  speaking,  and 
directly  after  the  landlady  came  in  with  a  card. 

"  Mr.  Tomplin,  gentlemen,"  she  said.     "  He's  at  the 


22  "WELCOME   TO   YORKSHIRE!" 

door,  and  I  was  to  say  that  if  it  was  inconvenient  for 
you  to  see  him  to-night,  perhaps  you  would  call  at  his 
office  when  you  were  down  the  town." 

"  Oh,  ask  him  in,  Mrs.  Stephenson,"  cried  Uncle  Dick ; 
and  as  she  left  the  room — "it's  the  solicitor  to  whom  I 
brought  the  letter  of  introduction  from  the  bank." 

It  was  a  short  dark  man  in  black  coat  and  waistcoat 
and  pepper-and-salt  trousers  who  was  shown  in.  He 
had  little  sharp  eyes  that  seemed  to  glitter.  So  did 
his  hair,  which  was  of  light-gray,  and  stood  up  all  over 
his  head  as  if  it  was  on  white  tire.  He  had  not  a  par- 
ticle of  hair  on  his  face,  which  looked  as  if  he  was  a 
very  good  customer  to  the  barber. 

He  shook  hands  very  heartily  with  all  of  us,  nodding 
pleasantly  the  while;  and  when  he  sat  down  he  took 
out  a  brown-and-yellow  silk  handkerchief  and  blew 
his  nose  like  a  horn. 

"  Welcome  to  Yorkshire,  gentlemen ! "  he  said.  "  My 
old  friends  at  the  bank  send  me  a  very  warm  letter  of 
recommendation  about  you,  and  I'm  at  your  service. 
Professional  consultations  at  the  usual  fee,  six  and 
eight  or  thirteen  and  four, according  to  length.  Friendly 
consultations — Thank  you,  I'm  much  oljliged.  This  is 
a  friendly  consultation.     Now  what  can  I  do  for  you?" 

He  looked  round  at  us  all,  and  I  felt  favourably  im- 
pressed. So  did  my  uncles,  as  Uncle  Dick  answered 
for  all. 

"  Nothing  at  present,  sir.  By  and  by  we  shall  be 
glad  to  come  to  you  for  legal  and  friendly  advice  too." 

"  That's  right,"  said  Mr.  Tomj)lin.  "  You've  taken 
the  Rivulet  Works,  I  hear." 

"  Yes,  down  there  by  the  stream." 

"  What  are  you  going  to  do  ? — carry  on  the  old  forg- 
ing and  grinding?" 


SUGGESTIONS   OF  DANGER.  23 

"  Oh,  dear,  no!"  said  Uncle  Dick.  "  We  are  going  in 
for  odds  and  ends,  sir.  To  introduce,  I  hope,  a  good 
many  improvements  in  several  branches  of  the  trades 
carried  on  here,  principally  in  forging." 

Mr.  Tomplin  drew  in  his  lips  and  filled  his  face 
with  wrinkles. 

"Going  to  introduce  new  inventions,  eh?"  he  said. 
"Yes,  sir,  but  only  one  at  a  time,"  said  Uncle  Jack. 
"  And  have  you  brought  a  regiment  of  soldiers  with 
you,  gentlemen?" 

"Brought  a  what?"  said  Uncle  Bob,  laughing. 
"  Regiment  of  soldiers,  sir,  and  a  company  of  artil- 
lerymen with  a  couple  of  guns." 

"Ha!  ha!  ha!"  laughed  Uncle  Dick,  showing  his 
white  teeth.  "  Mr.  Tomplin  means  to  besiege  Arrow- 
field." 

"No,  I  don't,  my  dear  sir.  I  mean  to  turn  your 
works  into  a  fort  to  defend  yourselves  against  your 
enemies." 

"  My  dear  sir,"  said  Uncle  Jack,  "  we  haven't  an 
enemy  in  the  world." 

"  Not  at  the  present  moment,  sir,  I'll  be  bound,"  said 
Mr.  Tomplin,  taking  snuft',  and  then  blowing  his  nose 
so  violently  that  I  wondered  he  did  not  have  an  acci- 
dent with  it  and  split  the  sides.  "  Not  at  the  present 
moment,  gentlemen;  but  as  soon  as  it  is  known  that 
you  are  going  to  introduce  new  kinds  of  machinery, 
our  enlightened  townsmen  will  declare  you  are  going 
to  take  the  bread  out  of  their  mouths  and  destroy 
everything  you  make." 

"  Take  the  bread  out  of  their  mouths,  my  dear  Mr. 
Tomplin!"  said  Uncle  Jack.     "Why,  what  we  do  will 
put  bread  in  their  mouths  by  making  more  work." 
"  Of  course  it  will,  my  dear  sirs." 


24  A   CHEERFUL   PLACE. 

"Then  why  should  they  interfere?" 

"Because  of  their  ignorance,  gentlemen.  Thej^ 
won't  see  it.  Take  my  advice:  there's  plenty  to  be 
done  by  clever  business  men.  Start  some  steady  manu- 
facture to  employ  hands  as  the  work  suggests.  Only 
use  present-day  machinery  if  you  wish  to  be  at  peace." 

"We  do  wish  to  be  at  peace,  Mr.  Tomplin,"  said 
Uncle  Bob ;  "  but  we  do  not  mean  to  let  a  set  of  igno- 
rant workmen  frighten  us  out  of  our  projects." 

"  Hear,  hear!"  said  Uncle  Dick  and  Uncle  Jack;  and 
I  put  in  a  small  "  hear  "  at  the  end. 

"  Well,  gentlemen,  I  felt  it  to  be  my  duty  to  tell 
you,"  said  Mr.  Tomplin,  taking  more  snufF  and  making 
more  noise.  "  You  will  have  attacks  made  upon  you 
to  such  an  extent  that  you  had  better  be  in  the  bush 
in  Queensland  among  the  blacks." 

"But  not  serious  attacks?"  said  Uncle  Jack.  "At- 
tempts to  frighten  us?" 

"Attempts  to  frighten  you!  Well,  you  may  call 
them  that,"  said  Mr.  Tomplin;  "but  there  have  been 
two  men  nearly  beaten  to  death  with  sticks,  one  factory 
set  on  fire,  and  two  gunpowder  explosions  during  the 
past  year.  Take  my  advice,  gentlemen,  and  don't  put 
yourself  in  opposition  to  the  workmen  if  you  are  going 
to  settle  down  here." 

He  rose,  shook  hands,  and  went  away,  leaving  us 
looking  at  each  other  across  the  table. 

"  Cheerful  place  Arrowfield  seems  to  be,"  said  Uncle 
Dick. 

"  Promises  to  be  lively,"  said  Uncle  Jack. 

"  What  do  you  say.  Cob?"  cried  Uncle  Bob.  "  Shall 
we  give  up,  be  frightened,  and  run  away  like  dogs 
with  our  tails  between  our  less?" 

"iN'o!"  I  cried,  thumping  the  table  with  my  fist. 


AN   ALARM   OF   FIRE.  25 

"  I  wouldn't  be  frightened  out  of  anything  I  felt  to  be 
right." 

"Bravo!  bravo!  bravo!"  cried  my  uncles. 

"  At  least  I  don't  think  I  would,"  I  said.  "  Perhaps 
I  really  am  a  coward  after  all." 

"  Well,"  said  Uncle  Dick,  "  I  don't  feel  like  giving  up 
for  such  a  thing  as  this.  I'd  sooner  buy  pistols  and 
guns  and  fight.  It  can't  be  so  bad  as  the  old  gentle- 
man says.  He's  only  scaring  us.  There,  it's  ten 
o'clock;  you  fellows  are  tired,  and  we  w^ant  to  break- 
fast early  and  go  and  see  the  works,  so  let's  get  to 
bed." 

We  were  far  enough  out  of  the  smoke  for  our  bed- 
rooms to  be  beautifully  white  and  sweet,  and  I  was 
delighted  with  mine,  as  I  saw  what  a  snug  little  place 
it  was.  I  said  "Good-night!"  and  had  shut  my  door, 
when,  going  to  my  window,  I  drew  aside  the  blind,  and 
found  that  I  was  looking  right  down  upon  the  town. 

"  Oh!"  I  ejaculated,  and  I  ran  out  to  the  next  room, 
which  was  Uncle  Dick's.  "Look!"  I  cried.  "Now 
you'll  believe  me.     The  town  is  on  fire." 

He  drew  up  the  blind,  and  threw  up  his  window, 
when  w^e  both  looked  down  at  what  seemed  to  be  the 
dying  out  of  a  tremendous  confiagration — dying  out, 
save  in  one  place,  where  there  was  a  furious  rush  of 
light  right  up  into  the  air,  with  sparks  flaying  and 
flickering  tongues  of  flame  darting  up  and  sinking 
down  again,  while  the  red  and  tawny-yellow  smoke 
rolled  away. 

"On  fire.  Cob!"  he  said  quietly.  "Yes,  the  town's 
on  fire,  but  in  the  proper  way.  Arrowfield  is  a  fiery 
place — all  furnaces.     There's  nothing  the  matter,  lad." 

"But  there!  there!"  I  cried,  "where  the  sparks  are 
roaring  and  rushing  out  with  al]».that  flame." 


26  THE   BESSEMER   STEEL. 

"  There !  Oh !  that's  nothing,  my  boy.  The  town  is 
always  like  this." 

"But  you  don't  see  where  I  mean,"  I  cried,  still 
doubting,  and  pointing  down  to  our  right. 

"Oh,  yes!  I  do,  my  dear  boy.  That  is  where  they 
are  making  the  Bessemer  steeL" 


•u 


CHAPTER  III. 


A    BAD    BEGINNING. 


THOUGHT  when  I  lay  down,  after  putting 
out  my  candle,  that  I  should  never  get  a 
wink  of  sleep.  There  was  a  dull  glow  upon 
my  window-blind,  and  I  could  hear  a  dis- 
tant clanQ-our  and  a  curious  faint  roar;  l)ut  all  at  once, 
so  it  seemed  to  me,  I  opened  my  eyes,  and  the  dull  glow 
had  given  place  to  bright  sunshine  on  my  window- 
blind,  and  jumping  out  of  bed  I  found  that  I  had  slept 
heartily  till  nearly  breakfast  time,  for  the  chinking  of 
cups  in  saucers  fell  upon  my  ear. 

I  looked  out  of  the  window,  and  there  lay  the  town 
with  the  smoke  hanging  over  it  in  a  dense  cloud,  but 
the  bano-inof  of  a  wash-iug  against  a  basin  warned  me 
that  Uncle  Dick  was  on  the  move,  and  the  next  mo- 
ment ta'p,  tap,  tap,  came  three  blows  on  my  wall,  which 
I  knew  as  well  as  could  be  were  given  with  the  edge 
of  a  hair-brush,  and  I  replied  in  the  same  way. 

"Ha,  ha!"  cried  Uncle  Bob,  "if  they  are  going  to 
give  us  fried  ham  like  that  for  breakfast — " 

"And  such  eo;o;s!"  cried  Uncle  Jack. 

"And  such  bread!"  said  Uncle  Dick,  hewing  off  a 
great  slice. 

"And  such  coffee  and  milk!"  I  said,  taking  up  the 


28  A   LOOK   AT   THE   NATIVES. 

idea  that  I  was  sure  was  coming,  "  we  won't  go  back 
to  London." 

"  Right!"  said  Uncle  Dick.  "Bah!  just  as  if  we  were 
going  to  be  frightened  away  by  a  set  of  old  women's 
tales.     They've  got  police  here,  and  laws." 

The  matter  was  discussed  until  breakfast  was  over, 
and  by  that  time  my  three  giants  of  uncles  had  de- 
cided that  they  would  not  stir  for  an  army  of  discon- 
tented workmen,  but  would  do  their  duty  to  them- 
selves and  their  partner  in  London. 

"But  look  here,  boys,"  said  Uncle  Dick;  "if  we  are 
going  to  war,  we  don't  want  women  in  the  way." 

"No,"  said  Uncle  Jack. 

"So  you  had  better  write  and  tell  Alick  to  keep  on 
the  old  place  till  the  company  must  have  it,  and  by  that 
time  we  shall  know  what  we  ai-e  about." 

This  was  done  directly  after  breakfast,  and  as  soon 
as  the  letter  had  been  despatched  we  went  off  to  see 
the  works. 

"  I  shall  never  like  this  place,"  I  said,  as  we  went 
down  towards  the  town.  "London  was  smoky  enough, 
but  this  is  terrible." 

"Oh,  wait  a  bit!"  said  Uncle  Dick,  and  as  we  strode 
on  with  me  trying  to  take  long  steps  to  keep  up  with 
my  companions,  I  could  not  help  seeing  how  the  people 
kept  staring  at  them.  And  though  there  were  plenty 
of  big  fine  men  in  the  town,  I  soon  saw  that  my  uncles 
stood  out  amongst  them  as  beino;  remarkable  for  their 
size  and  frank  handsome  looks.  This  was  the  more 
plainly  to  be  seen,  since  the  majority  of  the  workpeople 
we  passed  were  pale,  thin,  and  degenerate  looking  little 
men,  with  big  muscular  arms,  and  a  general  appearance 
of  everything  else  having  been  sacrificed  to  make  those 
limbs  strong. 


THE   SOUNDS   OF   LABOUR.  29 

The  farther  we  went  the  more  unsatisfactory  the 
town  looked.  We  were  leaving  the  great  works  to 
the  right,  and  our  way  lay  through  streets  and  streets 
of  dingy-looking  houses  all  alike,  and  with  the  open 
channels  in  front  foul  with  soapy  water  and  the  refuse 
which  the  people  threw  out. 

I  looketl  up  with  disgust  painted  on  my  face  so 
strongly  that  Uncle  Bob  laughed. 

"Here,  let's  get  this  fellow  a  bower  somewhere  by  a 
beautiful  stream,"  he  cried,  laughing.  Then  more 
seriously,  "Never  mind  the  dirt.  Cob,"  he  cried.  "Dirty 
work  brings  clean  money." 

"Oh,  I  don't  mind,"  I  said.     "Which  way  now?" 

"Down  here,"  said  Uncle  Dick;  and  he  led  us  down  a 
nasty  dirty  street,  worse  than  any  we  had  yet  passed, 
and  so  on  and  on,  for  about  half  an  hour,  till  we  were 
once  more  where  wheels  whirred,  and  we  could  hear 
the  ha^^sh  churring  noise  of  blades  being  held  upon 
rapidly  revolving  stones.  Now  and  then,  too,  I  caught 
sight  of  water  on  our  right,  down  through  lanes  where 
houses  and  works  were  crowded  together. 

"Do  you  notice  one  thing,  Cob?"  said  Uncle  Dick. 

"One  thing!"  I  said;  "there's  so  much  to  notice  that 
I  don't  know  what  to  look  at  first." 

"I'll  tell  you  what  I  mean,"  he  said.  "You  can  hear 
the  rush  and  rumble  of  machinerj^,  can't  you?" 

"Yes,"  I  said,  "like  wheels  whizzing  and  stones  rolling, 
as  if  giant  tinkers  were  grinding  enormous  scissors." 

"Exactly,"  he  said;  "but  you  very  seldom  hear  the 
hiss  of  steam  out  here." 

"No.     Have  they  a  different  kind  of  engines?" 

"Yes,  a  very  different  kind.  Your  steam-engine  goes 
because  the  water  is  made  hot:  these  machines  go  with 
the  water  kept  cold." 


30  OUR  WORKS. 

"Oh,  I  see!  by  hydraulic  presses." 

"No,  not  by  hydraulic  presses.  Cob;  by  hydraulic 
power.     Look  here." 

We  were  getting  quite  in  the  outskirts  now,  and  on 
rising  ground,  and,  drawing  me  on  one  side,  he  showed 
me  that  the  works  we  were  by  were  dependent  on 
water-power  alone. 

"Why,  it's  like  one  of  those  old  flour-mills  up  the 
country  rivers,"  I  exclaimed,  "with  their  mill-dam,  and 
water-wheel." 

"And  without  the  willows  and  lilies  and  silver  but- 
tercups. Cob,"  said  Uncle  Jack. 

"And  the  great  jack  and  chub  and  tench  we  used  to 
fish  out,"  said  Uncle  Bob. 

"Yes,"  I  said;  "I  suppose  one  would  catch  old  sauce- 
pans, dead  cats,  and  old  shoes  in  a  dirty  pool  like 
this." 

"Yes,"  said  Uncle  Dick,  "and  our  wheel-bands  when 
the  trades'-union  people  attack  us." 

"Why  should  they  throw  them  in  here?"  I  said,  as 
I  looked  at  the  great  deep-looking  piece  of  water  held 
up  by  a  strong  stone-built  dam,  and  fed  by  a  stream 
at  the  farther  end. 

"  Because  it  would  be  the  handiest  place.  These  are 
our  works." 

I  looked  at  the  stone-built  prison-like  place  in  dis- 
gust. It  was  wonderfully  strongly  built,  and  with 
small  windows  protected  by  iron  bars,  but  such  a  deso- 
late unornamental  spot.  It  stood  low  down  by  the 
b7'oad  sliallow  stream  that  ran  on  toward  the  town  in 
what  must  once  have  been  the  bed  of  the  river;  but 
the  steep  banks  had  been  utilized  by  the  builders  on 
each  side,  and  everywhere  one  saw  similar -looking 
places  so  arranged  that  their  foundation  walls  caught 


THEIR   GEOGRAPHY.  31 

and  held  up  the  water  that  came  down,  and  was 
directed  into  the  dam,  and  trickled  out  at  the  lower 
end  after  it  had  turned  a  great  slimy  water-wheel. 

"This  is  our  place,  boys;  come  and  have  a  look  at  it." 

He  led  us  down  a  narrow  passage  half-way  to  the 
stream,  and  then  rang  at  a  gate  in  a  stone  wall;  and 
while  we  waited   low  down  there  I  looked 
at  the  high  rough  stone  wall  and  the   two-      Entry  of 
storied  factory  with  its  rows  of  strong  iron-     ""^  stream. 
barred  windows,  and  thought  of  what  Mr. 
Tomplin  had  said  the  night  before,  coming 
to  the  conclusion  that  it  was  a  pretty  strong 
fortress  in  its  way.    For  here  was  a  stout 
high  wall;  down  along   by  the  stream 
there  was    a    high   blank   wall    right 
from  the  stones  over  which  the  water 
trickled  to  the  double  row  of  little 
windows;  while  from  the  top  cor- 
ner by  the  water-wheel,  which  was      ''y 
fixed    at    the    far    end    of    the 
works,  there  was  the  dam  of 
deep  water,  which  acted  the 
part  of  a  moat,  running  off 
almost    to   a    point   where 
the    stream    came    in,    so 
that  the  place  was  about 

the  shape  of  the  annexed  triangle:  the  works  occupy- 
ing the  whole  of  the  base,  the  rest  being  the  deep 
stone-walled  dam. 

"  I  think  we  could  keep  out  the  enemy  if  he  came," 
I  said  to  Uncle  Bob;  and  just  then  a  short-haired,  pale- 
faced  man,  with  bent  shoulders,  bare  arms,  and  an  ugly 
squint,  opened  the  gate  and  scowled  at  us. 

"  Is  your  master  in  ?"  said  Uncle  Dick. 


32  A   ROUGH   CUSTODIER.' 

"  No-ah,"  said  the  man  sourly;  "and  he  wean't  be  here 
to-day." 

"  That's  a  bad  job,"  said  Uncle  Dick.  "  Well,  never 
mind;  we  want  to  go  round  the  works." 

"  Nay,  yow  wean't  come  in  here." 

He  was  in  the  act  of  banging  the  gate,  but  Uncle 
Dick  placed  one  of  his  great  brown  hands  against  it 
and  thrust  it  open,  driving  the  man  back,  but  only 
for  a  moment,  for  he  flew  at  my  uncle,  caught  him  by 
the  arm  and  waist,  thrust  forward  a  leg,  and  tried  to 
throw  him  out  by  a  clever  wrestling  trick. 

But  Uncle  Dick  was  too  quick  for  him.  Wrenching 
himself  on  one  side  he  threw  his  left  arm  over  the 
fellow's  neck,  as  he  bent  down,  the  right  arm  under 
his  leg,  and  whirled  him  up  perfectly  helpless,  but 
kicking  with  all  his  mio-ht. 

"  Come  inside  and  shut  that  gate,"  said  Uncle  Dick, 
panting  with  his  exertion.  "  Now  look  here,  my  fine 
fellow,  it  would  serve  you  right  if  I  dropped  you  into 
that  dam  to  cool  you  down.  But  there,  get  on  your 
legs,"  he  cried  contemptuously,  "  and  learn  to  be  civil 
to  strangers  when  they  come." 

The  scuffle  and  noise  brought  about  a  dozen  work- 
men out  of  the  place,  each  in  wooden  clogs,  with  a 
rough  wet  apron  about  him,  and  his  sleeves  rolled  up 
nearly  to  the  shoulder. 

They  came  forward,  looking  very  fierce  and  as  if  they 
were  going  to  attack  us,  headed  by  the  fellow  with  the 
squint,  who  was  no  sooner  at  liberty  than  he  snatched 
up  a  rough  piece  of  iron  bar  and  rolled  up  his  right 
sleeve  ready  for  a  fresh  attack. 

"  Give  me  that  stick,  Col),"  said  Uncle  Dick  quickly; 
and  I  handed  him  the  light  Malacca  cane  I  carried. 

He  had  just  seized  it  when  the  man  raised  the  iron 


A   QUEER   RECEPTION.  33 

bar,  and  I  felt  sick  as  I  saw  the  blow  that  was  aimed 
at  my  uncle's  head. 

I  need  not  have  felt  troubled  though,  for,  big  as  he 
was,  he  jumped  aside,  avoided  the  bar  with  the  greatest 
ease,  and  almost  at  the  same  moment  there  was  a 
whizz  and  a  cut  like  lightning  delivered  by  Uncle 
Dick  with  my  light  cane. 

It  struck  the  assailant  on  the  tendons  of  the  leg  be- 
neath the  knee,  and  he  uttered  a  yell  and  went  down 
as  if  killed. 

"Coom  on,  lads!"  cried  one  of  the  others;  and  they 
rushed  towards  us,  headed  by  a  heavy  thick-set  fellow; 
but  no  one  flinched,  and  they  hesitated  as  they  came 
close  up. 

"  Take  that  fellow  away,"  said  Uncle  Jack  sternly; 
"and  look  here,  while  you  stay,  if  any  gentleman 
comes  to  the  gate  don't  send  a  surly  dog  like  that." 

"Whoareyow?  What  d'ye  want?  Happen  yow'll 
get  some'at  if  yo'  stay." 

"I  want  to  go  round  the  place.  I  am  one  of  the 
proprietors  who  have  taken  it." 

"Eh,  you  be — be  you?  Here,  lads,  this  is  one  o' 
chaps  as  is  turning  us  out.  We've  got  the  wheels  ti' 
Saturday,  and  we  wean't  hev  no  one  here." 

"No,  no,"  rose  in  chorus.  "Open  gate,  lads,  and 
hev  'em  out." 

"Keep  back!"  said  Uncle  Dick,  stepping  forward; 
"  keep  back,  unless  you  want  to  be  hurt.  No  one  is 
going  to  interfere  with  your  rights,  which  end  on 
Saturday  night." 

"Eh!  but  if  it  hedn't  been  for  yow  we  could  ha' 
kep'  on." 

"Well,  you'll  have  to  get  some  other  place,"  said 
Uncle  Dick;  "  we  want  this." 

(322)  c 


34  A   SHOWER — NOT  RAIN. 

He  turned  his  back  on  them  and  spoke  to  his  bro- 
thers, who  both,  knowing  their  great  strength,  which 
they  cultivated  by  muscular  exercise,  had  stood  quite 
calm  and  patient,  but  watchful,  and  ready  to  go  to 
their  brother's  aid  in  an  instant  should  he  need  assis- 
tance. 

"  Come  on  and  look  round,"  said  Uncle  Dick  coolly; 
and  he  did  not  even  glance  at  the  squinting  man,  who 
had  tried  to  get  up,  but  sank  down  again  and  sat 
grinning  with  pain  and  holding  his  injured  leg. 

The  calm  indifference  with  which  my  three  uncles 
towered  above  the  undersized,  pallid-looking  fellows, 
and  walked  by  them  to  the  entrance  to  the  stone 
building  had  more  effect  than  a  score  of  blows,  and 
the  men  stopped  clustered  round  their  companion,  and 
talked  to  him  in  a  low  voice.  But  I  was  not  six  feet 
two  like  Uncle  Bob,  nor  six  feet  one  like  Uncle  Jack, 
nor  six  feet  three  like  Uncle  Dick.  I  was  only  an 
ordinary  lad  of  sixteen,  and  much  easier  prey  for  their 
hate,  and  this  they  saw  and  showed. 

For  as  I  followed  last,  and  was  about  to  enter  the 
door,  a  shower  of  stones  and  pieces  of  iron  came  whiz- 
zing about  me,  and  falling  with  a  rattle  and  clangour 
upon  the  cobble  stones  with  which  the  place  was 
paved. 

Unfortunately,  one  piece,  stone  or  iron,  struck  me 
on  the  shoulder,  a  heavy  blow  that  made  me  feel  sick, 
and  I  needed  all  the  fortitude  I  could  call  up  to  hide 
my  pain,  for  I  was  afraid  to  say  or  do  anything  that 
would  cause  fresh  trouble. 

So  I  followed  my  uncles  into  the  spacious  ground- 
floor  of  the  works,  all  wet  and  dripping  with  the  water 
from  the  grindstones  which  had  just  been  left  by  the 
men,  and  were  still  whizzing  round  waiting  to  be  used. 


THE   WATEK-WHEEL,  35 

"  Plenty  of  room  here,"  said  Uncle  Dick,  "  and  plenty 
of  power,  you  see,"  he  continued,  pointing  to  the  shaft 
and  wheels  above  our  heads.  "  Ugly-looking  place 
this,"  he  went  on,  pointing  to  a  trap-door  at  the  end, 
which  he  lifted;  and  I  looked  down  with  a  shudder  to 
see  a  great  shaft  turning  slowly  round;  and  there  was 
a  slimy  set  of  rotten  wooden  steps  going  right  down 
into  the  blackness,  where  the  water  was  falling  with  a 
curiously  hollow  echoing  sound. 

As  I  turned  from  looking  down  I  saw  that  the  men 
had  followed  us,  and  the  fellow  with  the  squint  seemed 
to  have  one  of  his  unpleasant  eyes  fixed  upon  me,  and 
he  gave  me  a  peculiar  look  and  grin  that  I  had  good 
reason  to  remember. 

"  This  is  the  way  to  the  big  wheel,"  said  Uncle  Dick, 
throwing  open  a  door  at  the  end.  "  They  go  out  here 
to  oil  and  repair  it  when  it's  out  of  gear.  Nasty  spot 
too,  but  there's  a  wonderful  supply  of  cheap  power." 

With  the  men  growling  and  muttering  behind  us, 
we  looked  through  into  a  great  half-lit  stone  cham- 
ber that  inclosed  the  great  wheel  on  one  side,  leaving 
a  portion  visible  as  we  had  seen  it  from  the  outside; 
and  here  again  I  shuddered  and  felt  uncomfortable,  it 
seemed  such  a  horrible  place  to  fall  into  and  from  which 
there  would  be  no  escape,  imless  one  could  swim  in 
the  surging  water  below,  and  then  clamber  into  the 
wheel,  and  climb  through  it  like  a  squirrel. 

The  walls  were  dripping  and  green,  and  they  echoed 
and  seemed  to  whisper  back  to  the  great  wheel  as  it 
turned  and  splashed  and  swung  down  its  long  arms, 
each  doubling  itself  on  the  wall  by  making  a  moving 
shadow. 

The  place  had  such  a  fascination  for  me  that  I  stood 
with  one  hand  upon  the  door  and  a  foot  inside  looking 


36  THE   GRINDING   SHOP. 

down  at  the  faintly  seen  black  water,  listening  to  the 
echoes,  and  then  watching  the  wheel  as  it  turned,  one 
pale  spot  on  the  rim  catching  my  eye  especially.  As 
I  watched  it  I  saw  it  go  down  into  the  darkness  with 
a  tremendous  sweep,  with  a  great  deal  of  splashing  and 
fallinc;  of  water;  then  after  beino-  out  of  sight  for  a 
few  moments  it  came  into  view  again,  was  whirled 
round,  and  dashed  down. 

I  don't  know  how  it  was,  but  I  felt  myself  thinking 
that  suppose  anyone  fell  into  the  horrible  pit  below 
me,  he  would  swim  round  by  the  slimy  walls  trying 
to  find  a  place  to  cling  to,  and  finding  none  he  would 
be  swept  round  to  the  wheel,  to  which  in  his  despair 
he  would  clincr.  Then  he  would  be  draoged  out  of 
the  water,  swung  round,  and — 

"Do  you  hear,  Cob?"  cried  Uncle  Jack.  "  What  is 
there  to  attract  you,  my  lad?     Come  along." 

I  seemed  to  be  roused  out  of  a  dream,  and  starting 
back,  the  door  was  closed,  and  I  followed  the  others  as 
they  went  to  the  far  end  of  the  great  ground-floor  to 
a  door  opening  upon  a  stone  staircase. 

We  had  to  pass  the  men,  who  were  standing  about 
close  to  their  grindstones,  beside  which  were  little 
jjiles  of  the  articles  they  were  grinding — common 
knives,  sickles,  and  scythe  blades,  ugly  weapons  if  the 
men  rose  against  us  as  they  seemed  disposed  to  do. 

They  muttered  and  talked  to  themselves,  but  they 
did  not  seem  inclined  to  make  any  farther  attack; 
while  as  we  reached  the  stairs  I  heard  the  harsh 
shrieking  of  blades  that  were  being  held  upon  the 
stones,  and  I  knew  that  some  men  must  have  begun 
work. 

The  upper  floor  was  of  the  same  size  as  the  lower, 
but  divided  into  four  rooms  by  partitions,  and  here 


WE   COMPLETE  THE   INSPECTION.  37 

too  were  shafts  and  wheels  turning  from  their  connec- 
tion with  the  great  water-wheel.  Over  that  a  small 
room  had  been  built  supported  by  an  arch  stretching 
from  the  works  to  a  stone  wall,  and  as  we  looked  out 
of  the  narrow  iron-barred  window  down  upon  the  deep 
dam,  Uncle  Bob  said  laughingly: 

"  What  a  place  for  you,  Cob!  You  could  drop  a  line 
out  of  the  window,  and  catch  fish  like  fun." 

I  laughed,  and  we  all  had  a  good  look  round  before 
examining  the  side  buildings,  where  there  were  forges 
and  furnaces,  and  a  tall  chimney-shaft  ran  up  quite  a 
hundred  feet. 

"  Plent}^  of  room  to  do  any  amount  of  work,"  cried 
Uncle  Jack.     "  I  think  the  place  a  bargain." 

"  Yes,"  said  Uncle  Bob,  "  where  we  can  carry  out 
our  inventions;  and  if  anybody  is  disagreeable,  we  can 
shut  ourselves  up  like  knights  in  a  castle  and  laugh  at 
all  attacks." 

"Yes,"  said  Uncle  Dick  thoughtfully;  "but  I  wish 
we  had  not  begun  by  quarrelling  with  those  men." 

"Let's  try  and  make  friends  as  we  go  out,"  said 
Uncle  Jack. 

It  was  a  good  proposal;  and,  under  the  impression 
that  a  gallon  or  two  of  beer  would  heal  the  sore  place, 
we  went  into  the  big  workshop  or  mill,  where  all  the 
men  had  now  resumed  their  tasks,  and  were  grinding 
away  as  if  to  make  up  for  lost  time. 

One  man  was  seated  alone  on  a  stone  bench,  and  as 
we  entered  he  half  turned,  and  I  saw  that  it  was 
Uncle  Dick's  opponent. 

He  looked  at  us  for  a  moment  and  then  turned 
scowling  away. 

My  uncles  whispered  together,  and  then  Uncle  Dick 
stepped  forward  and  said: 


38  A   WASTED    APOLOGY. 

"  I'm  sorry  we  had  this  little  upset,  my  lads.  It  all 
arose  out  of  a  mistake.  We  have  taken  these  works, 
and  of  course  wanted  to  look  round  them,  but  we  do 
not  wish  to  put  you  to  any  inconvenience.    Will  you — " 

He  stopped  short,  for  as  soon  as  he  began  to  speak 
the  men  seemed  to  press  down  their  blades  that  they 
were  grindino-  harder  and  harder,  makini?  them  send 
forth  such  a  deafening  churring  screech  that  he  paused 
quite  in  despair  of  making  himself  heard. 

"My  lads!"  he  said,  trying  again. 

Not  a  man  turned  his  head,  and  it  was  plain  enough 
that  they  would  not  hear. 

"Let  me  speak  to  him,"  said  Uncle  Bob,  catching 
his  brother  by  the  arm,  for  Uncle  Dick  was  going  to 
address  the  man  on  the  stone. 

Uncle  Dick  nodded,  for  he  felt  that  it  would  be 
better  for  someone  else  to  speak;  but  the  man  got  up, 
scowled  at  Uncle  Bob,  and  when  he  held  out  a  couple 
of  half-crowns  to  him  to  buy  beer  to  drink  our  healths 
the  fellow  made  a  derisive  gesture,  walked  to  his  stone, 
and  sat  down. 

"Just  as  they  like,"  said  Uncle  Dick.  "We  apologized 
and  behaved  like  gentlemen.  If  they  choose  to  behave 
like  blackguards,  let  them.     Come  along." 

We  turned  to  the  door,  my  fate,  as  usual,  being  to 
come  last;  and  as  we  passed  through  not  a  head  was 
turned,  eveiy  man  pressing  down  some  steel  implement 
upon  his  whirling  stone,  and  making  it  shriek,  and,  in 
spite  of  the  water  in  which  the  wheel  revolved,  send 
forth  a  shower  of  sparks. 

The  noise  was  deafening,  but  as  we  passed  into  the 
yard  on  the  way  to  the  lane  the  grinding  suddenly 
ceased,  and  when  we  liad  the  gate  well  open  the  men 
had  gathered  at  the  door  of  the  works,  and  gave  vent 


]MY   FIRST   WOUND.  39 

to  a  savage  hooting  and  yelling  which  continued  after 
we  had  passed  through,  and  as  we  went  along  by  the 
side  of  the  dam  we  were  saluted  by  a  shower  of  stones 
and  pieces  of  iron  thrown  from  the  yard. 

"  Well,"  said  Uncle  Bob,  "this  is  learning  something 
with  a  vengeance.  I  didn't  think  we  had  such  savages 
in  Christian  England." 

By  this  time  we  were  out  of  the  reach  of  the  men, 
and  going  on  towards  the  top  of  the  dam,  when  Uncle 
Dick,  who  had  been  looking  very  serious  and  thought- 
ful, said: 

"  I'm  sorry,  very  sorry  this  has  happened.  It  has 
set  these  men  against  us." 

"No,"  said  Uncle  Jack  quietly;  "the  mischief  was 
done  before  we  came.  This  place  has  been  to  let  for  a 
long  time." 

"Yes,"  said  Uncle  Bob,  "that's  why  we  got  it  so 
cheaply." 

"And,"  continued  Uncle  Jack,  "these  fellows  have 
had  the  run  of  the  works  to  do  their  grinding  for 
almost  nothing.  They  were  wild  with  us  for  taking 
the  place  and  turning  them  out." 

"Yes,"  said  Uncle  Dick,  "that's  the  case,  no  doubt; 
but  I'm  very  sorry  I  began  by  hurting  that  fellow  all 
the  same." 

"  I'm  not,  Uncle  Dick,"  I  said,  as  I  compressed  my 
lips  with  pain.  They  are  great  cowards  or  they  would 
not  have  thrown  a  piece  of  iron  at  me;"  and  I  laid  my 
hand  upon  my  shoulder,  to  draw  it  back  wet  with 
blood. 


CHAPTER   IV. 

OUR  ENGINE. 

RAVO,  Spartan!"  cried  Uncle  Bob,  as  he 
stood  looking  on,  when,  after  walking 
some  distance,  Uncle  Dick  insisted  upon 
my  taking  oft'  my  jacket  in  a  lane  and 
having  the  place  bathed." 

"Oh,  it's  nothing,"  I  said,  "only  it  was  tiresome  for 
it  to  bleed." 

"  Nothing  like  being  prepared  for  emergencies,"  said 
Uncle  Jack,  taking  out  his  pocket-book,  and  from  one 
of  the  pockets  a  piece  of  sticking-plaster  and  a  pair  of 
scissors.  "I'm  always  cutting  or  pinching  my  fingers. 
Wonder  whether  we  could  have  stuck  Cob's  head  on 
again  if  it  had  been  cut  off  ? " 

I  opined  not  as  I  submitted  to  the  rough  surgery 
that  went  on,  and  then  refusing  aljsolutely  to  be  treated 
as  a  sick  person,  and  go  Ijack,  I  tramped  on  by  them, 
mile  after  mile,  to  see  something  of  the  fine  open  coun- 
try out  to  the  west  of  the  town  before  we  settled  down 
to  work. 

We  were  astonished,  for  as  we  got  away  from  the 
smoky  pit  in  which  Arrowheld  lay,  we  found,  in  follow- 
ing the  bank  of  the  rivulet  that  supplied  our  works, 
that  the  country  was  lovely  and  romantic  too.  Hill, 
dale,  and  ravine  were  all  about  us,  rippling  stream, 


THE   FIRST   GROUSE.  41 

hanging  wood,  grove  and  garden,  with  a  thousand 
pretty  views  in  every  direction,  as  we  climbed  on  to 
the  higher  ground,  till  at  last  cultivation  seemed  to 
have  been  left  behind,  and  we  were  where  the  hills 
towered  up  with  ragged  stony  tops,  and  their  slopes  all 
pui'ple  heather,  heath,  and  moss. 

"Look,  look!"  I  cried,  as  I  saw  a  covey  of  birds 
skim  b}^;  "partridges!" 

"  No,"  said  Uncle  Bob,  watching  where  they  dropped ; 
"not  partridges,  my  lad — grouse." 

"What,  here!"  I  said;  "and  so  near  the  town." 

"Near!     Why  we  are  seven  or  eight  miles  away." 

"  But  I  thought  grouse  were  Scotch  birds." 

"  They  are  birds  of  the  moors,"  said  Uncle  Bob;  "and 
here  you  have  them  stretching  for  miles  all  over  the 
hills.  This  is  about  as  wild  a  bit  of  country  as  you 
could  see.  Why,  the  country  people  here  call  those 
hills  mountains." 

"But  are  they  mountains?"  I  said;  "they  don't  look 
very  high." 

"  Higher  than  you  think,  my  lad,  with  precipice  and 
ravine.  Why,  look — you  can  see  the  top  of  that  one 
is  among  the  clouds." 

"  I  should  have  thought  it  was  a  mist  resting  upon 
it." 

"Well,  what  is  the  difference?"  said  Uncle  Bob, 
smilino-. 

Just  then  we  reached  a  spot  where  a  stream  crossed 
the  road,  and  the  sight  of  the  rippling  water,  clear  as 
crystal,  took  our  attention  from  the  hills  and  vales 
that  spread  around.  My  first  idea  was  to  run  down  to 
the  edge  of  the  stream,  which  was  so  dotted  with  great 
stones  that  I  was  soon  quite  in  the  middle,  looking 
after  the  shadowy  shapes  that  I  had  seen  dart  away. 


42  OUT   ON   THE   MOORS. 

My  uncles  followed  me,  and  we  forgot  all  about  the 
work  and  troubles  with  the  rough  grinders,  as  we 
searched  for  the  trout  and  crept  up  to  where  we  could 
see  some  good-sized,  broad- tailed  fellow  sunning  him- 
self till  he  caught  sight  of  the  intruders,  and  darted 
away  like  a  flash  of  liglit. 

But  Uncle  Dick  put  a  stop  to  our  idling  there,  lead- 
ing us  back  to  the  road  and  insisting  upon  our  con- 
tinuing^ alono;  it  for  another  mile. 

"I  want  to  show  you  our  engine,"  he  said. 

"Our  engine  out  here!"  I  cried.     "It's  some  trick." 

"You  wait  and  see,"  he  replied. 

We  went  on  through  the  beautiful  breezy  country 
for  some  distance  farther,  till  on  one  side  we  were 
looking  down  into  a  valley  and  on  the  other  side  into 
a  lake,  and  I  soon  found  that  the  lake  had  been  formed 
just  as  we  schoolboys  used  to  make  a  dam  across  a  ditch 
or  stream  when  we  were  going  to  bale  it  out  and  get 
the  fish. 

"  Why,"  I  cried,  as  we  walked  out  on  to  the  great 
embankment,  "this  has  all  been  made." 

"To  be  sure,"  said  Uncle  Dick.  "Just  the  same  as 
our  little  dam  is  at  the  works.  That  was  formed  by 
building  a  strong  stone  wall  across  a  hollow  streamlet; 
this  was  made  by  raising  this  great  embankment  right 
across  the  valley  here  and  stopping  the  stream  that  ran 
through  it.  That's  the  way  some  of  the  lakes  have 
been  made  in  Switzerland." 

"What,  by  men?" 

"  No,  by  nature.  A  great  landslip  takes  place  from 
the  mountains,  rushes  down,  and  fills  up  a  valley,  and 
the  water  is  stopped  from  running  away." 

We  walked  right  out  along  what  seemed  like  a  vast 
railway  embankment,  on  one  side  sloping  right  away 


THE  GREAT  DAM.  43 

down  into  the  valley,  where  the  remains  of  the  stream 
that  had  been  cut  off  trickled  on  towards  Arrowfield. 
On  the  other  side  the  slope  went  down  into  the  lake  of 
water,  which  stretched  away  toward  the  moorlands  for 
quite  a  mile. 

"This  needs  to  be  tremendously  strong,"  said  Uncle 
Jack  thoughtfully,  as  we  walked  on  till  we  were  right 
in  the  middle  and  first  stood  looking  down  the  valley, 
winding  in  and  out,  with  its  scattered  houses,  farms, 
and  mills,  and  then  turned  to  look  upward  towards  the 
moorland  and  along  the  damnied-up  lake. 

"  Why,  this  embankment  must  be  a  quarter  of  a  mile 
long,"  said  Uncle  Jack  thoughtfully. 

"What  a  pond  for  fishing!"  I  cried,  as  I  imagined  it 
to  be  peopled  by  large  jack  and  shoals  of  smaller  fish. 
"How  deep  is  it,  I  wonder?" 

Did  you  ever  know  a  boy  yet  who  did  not  want  to 
know  how  deep  a  piece  of  water  was,  when  he  saw  it? 

"Deep!"  said  Uncle  Dick;  "that's  easily  seen.  Deep 
as  it  is  from  here  to  the  bottom  of  the  valley  on  the 
other  side:  eighty  or  ninety  feet.  I  should  say  this 
embankment  is  over  a  hundred  in  perpendicular  height." 

"Look  here,"  said  Uncle  Jack  suddenly;  "if  I  know 
anything  about  engineering,  this  great  dam  is  not 
safe." 

"Not  safe!"  I  said  nervously.  "Let's  get  off  it  at 
once." 

"I  daresay  it  will  hold  to-day,"  said  Uncle  Dick 
dryly,  but  you  can  run  off  if  you  like,  Cob." 

"Are  you  coming?" 

"Not  just  at  present,"  he  said,  smiling  grimly. 

I  put  my  hands  in  my  pockets  and  stood  looking  at 
the  great  embankment,  which  formed  a  level  road  or 
path  of  about  twelve  feet  wide  where  we  stood,  and 


44  UNCLE  dick's  engine. 

then  sloped  down,  as  I  have  said,  like  a  railway  em- 
bankment far  down  into  the  valley  on  our  left,  and  to 
the  water  on  our  right. 

"I  don't  care,"  said  Uncle  Jack,  knitting  his  brows 
as  he  scanned  the  place  well,  "I  say  it  is  not  safe.  Here 
is  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  of  earthen  wall  that  has 
no  natural  strength  for  holding  together  like  a  wall  of 
bonded  stone  or  brick." 

"But  look  at  its  weight,"  said  Uncle  Bob. 

"Yes,  that  is  its  only  strength — its  weight;  but  look 
at  the  weio'ht  of  the  water,  about  a  mile  of  water 
seventy  or  eighty  feet  deep  just  here.  Perhaps  only 
sixty.  The  pressure  of  this  water  against  it  must  be 
tremendous." 

"Of  course,"  said  Uncle  Dick  thoughtfully;  "but  you 
forget  the  shape  of  the  wall.  Jack.  It  is  like  an  elon- 
gated pyramid :  broad  at  the  base  and  coming  up  nearly 
to  a  point." 

"No,"  said  Uncle  Jack,  "I've  not  forgotten  all  that. 
Of  course  it  is  all  the  stronger  for  it,  the  wider  the 
base  is  made.  But  I'm  not  satisfied,  and  if  I  had  made 
this  dam  I  should  have  made  this  wall  twice  as  thick 
or  three  times  as  thick ;  and  I  don't  know  that  I  should 
have  felt  satisfied  with  its  stability  then." 

"Well  done,  old  conscientious!"  cried  Uncle  Bob, 
laughing.     "Lot's  get  on." 

"Stop  a  moment,"  I  cried.  "Uncle  Dick  said  he  would 
show  us  our  engine." 

"Well,  there  it  is,"  said  Uncle  Dick,  pointing  to  the 
dammed-up  lake.  "Isn't  it  powerful  enough  for  you. 
This  reservoir  was  made  by  a  water  company  to  supply 
all  our  little  dams,  and  keep  all  our  mills  going.  It 
gathers  tlie  water  off  the  moorlands,  saves  it  up,  and 
lets  us  have  it  in  a  i-cgular  supply.     What  would  be 


"I'm  only  a  cowaku."  45 

the  consequences  of  a  burst,  Jack?"  he  said,  turning  to 
his  brother. 

"Don't  talk  about  it  man,"  said  Uncle  Jack  frowning. 
"Why,  this  body  of  water  broken  loose  would  sweep 
down  that  valley  and  scour  everything  away  witii  it — 
houses,  mills,  rocks,  all  would  go  like  corks." 

"Why,  it  would  carry  away  our  works,  then,"  I  cried. 
"The  place  is  right  down  by  the  water  side." 

"I  hope  not,"  said  Uncle  Jack.  "No  I  should  say  the 
force  would  be  exhausted  before  it  got  so  far  as  that, 
eight  or  nine  miles  away." 

"Well,  it  does  look  dangerous,"  said  Uncle  Bob. 
"The  weight  must  be  tremendous.  How  would  it  go 
if  it  did  burst?" 

"I  say,  uncle,  I'm  only  a  coward,  please.  Hadn't  we 
better  go  off" here?" 

They  all  lauglied,  and  we  went  on  across  the  dam. 

"How  would  it  go!"  said  Uncle  Jack  thoughtfully. 
"It  is  imjDOssible  to  say.  Probably  the  water  would  eat 
a  little  hole  through  the  top  somewhere  and  that  would 
rapidly  grow  bigger,  the  water  pouring  through  in  a 
stream,  and  cutting  its  way  down  till  the  solidity  of 
the  wall  being  destroyed  by  the  continuity  being- 
broken  great  masses  would  crumble  away  all  at  once, 
and  the  pent-up  waters  would  rush  through." 

"And  if  they  came  down  and  washed  away  our 
works  just  as  we  were  making  our  fortunes,  you  would 
say  I  was  to  blame  for  taking  such  a  dangerous  place." 

"There,  come  along,"  cried  Uncle  Bob,  "don't  let's 
meet  troubles  half-way.  I  want  a  ramble  over  those 
hills.  There,  Cob,  now  we're  safe,"  he  said,  as  we  left 
the  great  dam  behind.  Now,  then,  who's  for  some 
lunch,  eh?" 

This  last  question  was  suggested  by  the  sight  of  a 


46  IN    MOUNTAIN    LAND. 

snug  little  village  inn,  where  we  had  a  hearty  meal 
and  a  rest,  and  then  tramped  off  to  meet  with  an  un- 
expected adventure  among  the  hills. 

As  soon  as  one  gets  into  a  hilly  country  the  feeling 
that  comes  over  one  is  that  he  ought  to  get  up  higher, 
and  I  had  that  sensation  strongly. 

But  what  a  o;lorious  walk  it  was!  We  left  the  road 
as  soon  as  we  could  and  struck  right  away  as  the  crow 
Hies  for  one  of  several  tremendous  hills  that  we  saw  in 
the  distance.  Under  our  feet  was  the  purple  heath 
with  great  patches  of  wdiortleberry,  that  tiny  shrul) 
that  bears  the  little  purply  gray  fruit.  Then  there  was 
short  elastic  wiry  grass  and  orange-yellow  bird's-foot 
trefoil.  Anon  we  came  to  great  patches  of  furze  of  a 
dwarf  kind  witli  small  prickles,  and  of  an  elegant 
growth,  the  purple  and  yellow  making  the  place  look 
like  some  vast  wild  garden. 

"We  always  seem  to  be  climbing  up,"  said  Uncle 
Dick. 

"When  we  are  not  sliding  down,"  said  Uncle  Jack, 
lauo-hinp-. 

"  I've  been  looking  for  a  bit  of  level  ground  for  a 
race,"  said  Uncle  Bob.  "My  word!  what  a  wdld  place 
it  is!" 

"But  how  beautiful!"  I  cried,  as  we  sat  down  on 
some  rough  blocks  of  stone,  with  the  pure  thyme- 
scented  air  blowing  on  our  clieeks,  larks  singing  above 
our  heads,  and  all  around  the  hum  of  insects  or  bees 
hunying  from  blossom  to  blo.ssom;  while  we  saw  the 
grasshoppers  slowly  climbing  up  to  the  top  of  some 
strand  of  grass,  take  a  look  round,  and  then  set  their 
spring  legs  in  motion  and  take  a  good  leap. 

"What  a  difference  in  the  hills!"  said  Uncle  Jack, 
looking  thoughtfully  from  some  that  were  smooth  of 


A  WILD   WALK.  47 

outline  to  others  that  were  all  rugged  and  looked  as  it" 
great  jagged  masses  of  st^^ne  had  been  piled  upon  their 
tops. 

"  Yes,"  said  Uncle  Dick.  "  Two  formations.  Moun- 
tain limestone  yonder;  this  we  are  on,  with  all  these 
rough  pieces  on  the  surface  and  sticking  out  every- 
where, is  millstone  grit." 

"  Wliich  is  millstone  grit?"  I  cried. 

"  This,"  he  said,  taking  out  a  little  hammer  and 
chipping  one  of  the  stones  by  us  to  show  me  that  it 
was  a  sandstone  full  of  hard  fracjments  of  silica. 
"  You  might  open  a  quarry  anywhere  here  and  cut 
millstones,  but  of  course  some  of  the  stone  is  better  for 
the  purpose  than  others." 

"  Yes,"  said  Uncle  Jack  thoughtfully.  "  Arrowfield 
is  famously  situated  for  its  purpose — plenty  of  coal  for 
forging,  plenty  of  water  to  work  mills,  plenty  of  quar- 
ries to  get  millstones  for  grinding." 

"  Come  along,"  cried  Uncle  Bob,  starting  up ;  and 
before  we  had  gone  far  the  grouse  flew,  skimming 
away  before  us,  and  soon  after  we  came  to  a  lovely 
mountain  stream  that  sparkled  and  danced  as  it 
dashed  down  in  hundreds  of  little  cataracts  and  falls. 

Leaving  this,  though  the  sight  of  the  little  trout 
darting  about  was  temptation  enough  to  make  me 
stay,  we  tramped  on  over  the  rugged  ground,  in  and 
out  among  stones  or  piled-up  rocks,  now  skirting  or 
leaping  boggy  places  dotted  with  cotton-rush,  where 
the  bog-roots  were  here  green  and  soft,  there  of  a  deli- 
cate pinky  white,  where  the  water  had  been  dried 
away. 

To  a  London  boy,  accustomed  to  country  runs  among 
inclosed  fields  and  hedges,  or  at  times  into  a  park  or 
upon  a  common,  this  vast  stretch  of  hilly,  wild  unculti- 


48  A  FOX. 

vated  land  was  glorious,  and  I  was  ready  to  see  any 
wonder  without  surprise. 

It  seemed  to  me,  as  we  tramped  on  examining  the 
bits  of  stone,  the  herbs  and  flowers,  that  at  any  moment 
we  might  come  upon  the  lair  of  some  wild  beast;  and 
so  we  did  over  and  over  again,  but  it  was  not  the  den 
of  wolf  or  bear,  but  of  a  rabbit  burrowed  into  the  sandy 
side  of  some  great  bank.  Farther  on  we  started  a  hare, 
which  went  off  in  its  curious  hopping  fashion  to  be  out 
of  sight  in  a  few  moments. 

Almost  directly  after,  as  we  were  clambering  over  a 
steep  slope,  Uncle  Bob  stopped  short,  and  stood  there 
sniffing. 

"What  is  it?"  I  cried. 

"  Fox,"  he  said,  looking  round. 

"Nonsense!"  cried  Uncle  Dick. 

"You  wouldn't  find,  eh?  What  a  nasty,  dank,  sour 
odour!"  cried  Uncle  Jack,  in  his  quiet,  thoughtful 
way. 

"  A  fox  has  gone  by  here  during  the  last  few 
minutes,  I'm  sure,"  cried  Uncle  Bob,  looking  round 
searchingly.  "I'll  be  bound  to  say  he  is  up  among 
those  tufts  of  ling  and  has  just  taken  refuge  there. 
Spread  out  and  hunt." 

The  tufts  he  pointed  to  were  right  on  a  ridge  of  the 
hill  we  were  climbing,  and  separating  we  hurried  up 
there  just  in  time  to  see  a  little  reddish  animal,  with 
long,  drooping,  bushy  tail,  run  in  amongst  the  heath 
fifty  yards  down  the  slope  away  to  our  left. 

"  That's  the  consequence  of  having  a  good  nose,"  said 
Uncle  Bob  triumphantly;  and  now,  as  we  were  on  a 
high  eminence,  we  took  a  good  look  round  so  as  to 
make  our  plans. 

"Hadn't   we   better  turn  back  now?"  said    Uncle 


THE   DOME   TOR  i9 

Jack.  "  We  shall  have  several  hours'  walk  before  we 
get  to  Arrowfield,  and  shall  have  done  as  much  as  Cob 
can  manage." 

"  Oh,  I'm  not  a  bit  tired!"  I  cried. 

"  Well,"  said  Uncle  Dick,  "  I  think  we  had  better  go 
forward.  I'm  not  very  learned  over  the  topography  of 
the  district,  but  if  I'm  not  much  mistaken  that  round 
hill  or  mountain  before  us  is  Dome  Tor." 

"Well?"  said  Uncle  Jack. 

"  Well,  I  propose  that  we  make  straight  for  it,  go 
over  it,  and  then  ask  our  way  to  the  nearest  town  or 
village  where  there  is  a  railway -station,  and  ride 
back." 

"Capital!"  I  cried. 

''  Whom  will  you  ask  to  direct  us?"  said  Uncle  Jack 
dryly. 

"Ah!  to  be  sure,"  said  Uncle  Bob.  "I've  seen 
nothing  but  a  sheep  or  two  for  hours,  and  they  look 
so  horribly  stupid  I  don't  tliink  it  is  of  any  use  to  ask 
them." 

"  Oh !  we  must  meet  some  one  if  we  keep  on,"  said 
Uncle  Dick  "What  do  you  say?  Seems  a  pity  not 
to  climb  that  hill  now  we  are  so  near." 

"  Yes,  as  we  are  out  for  a  holiday,"  said  Uncle  Bob. 
"  After  to-day  we  must  put  our  necks  in  the  collar  and 
work.     I  vote  for  Dick." 

"  So  do  I,"  said  Uncle  Jack. 

"Come  along  then,  boys,"  cried  Uncle  Dick;  and 
now  we  set  ourselves  steadily  to  get  over  the  ground, 
taking  as  straight  a  line  as  we  could,  but  having  to 
deviate  a  good  deal  on  account  of  streams  and  bogs 
and  rough  patches  of  stone.  But  it  was  a  glorious 
walk,  during  which  there  was  always  something  to 
examine;  and  at  last  we  felt  that  we  were  steadily 

(322)  D 


50  A.N    ASCENT. 

going  up  the  great  rounded  mass  known  as  Dome 
Tor. 

We  had  not  been  plodding  far  before  I  found  that  it 
was  entirely  ditl'erent  to  the  hills  we  had  climbed  that 
day,  for,  in  place  of  great  masses  of  rugged,  weather- 
worn rock,  the  stone  we  found  here  and  there  was 
slaty  and  splintery,  the  narrow  tracks  up  which  we 
walked  being  full  of  slippery  fragments,  making  it  tire- 
some travelling. 

These  tracks  were  evidently  made  by  the  sheep,  of 
which  we  saw  a  few  here  and  there,  but  no  shepherd, 
no  houses,  nothing  to  break  the  utter  solitude  of  the 
scene,  and  as  we  paused  for  a  rest  about  half-way  up 
Uncle  Dick  looked  round  at  the  glorious  prospect, 
bathed  in  the  warm  glow  of  the  setting  sun. 

"Ah!"  he  said,  "this  is  beautiful  nature.  Over 
yonder,  at  Arrowfield,  we  shall  have  nature  to  deal 
with  that  is  not  beautiful.  But  come,  boys,  I  want  a 
big  meat  tea,  and  we've  miles  to  go  yet  before  we  can 
get  it." 

We  all  jumped  up  and  tramped  on,  with  a  curious 
sensation  coming  into  my  legs,  as  if  the  joints  wanted 
oiling.  But  I  said  nothing,  onl}^  trudged  away,  on  and 
on,  till  at  last  we  reached  the  rounded  top,  hot,  out  of 
breath,  and  glad  to  inhale  the  fresh  breeze  that  was 
blowing. 

The  view  was  splendid,  but  the  sun  had  set,  and 
there  were  clouds  beginning  to  gather,  while,  on  looking 
round,  though  we  could  see  a  house  here  and  a  house 
there  in  the  distance,  it  did  not  seem  very  clear  to 
either  of  us  which  way  we  were  to  go. 

"  We  are  clever  ones,"  said  Uncle  Dick,  "  starting  out 
on  a  trip  like  this  without  a  pocket  guide  and  a 
map:  never  mind,  our  way  must  be  west,  and  sooner 


A   SUDDEN   MIST.  61 

or  later  we  shall    come   to   a   road,  and   then    to   a 
village." 

"But  we  shall  never  be  able  to  reach  a  railway-sta- 
tion to-night,"  said  Uncle  Bob. 

"Not  unless  we  try,"  said  Uncle  Jack  in  his  dry 
way. 

"Then  let's  try,"  said  Uncle  Dick,  "and — well,  that 
is  strange." 

As  we  reached  the  top  the  wind  had  been  blowing 
sharply  in  our  faces,  but  this  had  ceased  while  we  had 
been  lying  about  admiring  the  prospect,  and  in  place 
a  few  soft  moist  puii's  had  come  from  quite  another 
quarter;  and  as  we  looked  there  seemed  to  be  a  cloud 
of  white  smoke  starting  up  out  of  a  valley  below  us. 
As  we  watched  it  we  suddenly  became  aware  of 
another  rolling  along  the  short  rough  turf  and  over 
the  shaly  paths.  Then  a  patch  seemed  to  form  here, 
another  there,  and  these  patches  appeared  to  be  stretch- 
ing out  their  hands  to  each  other  all  round  the  moun- 
tain till  they  formed  a  gray  bank  of  mist,  over  the  top 
of  which  we  could  see  the  distant  country. 

"We  must  be  moving,"  said  Uncle  Dick,  "or  we  shall 
be  lost  in  the  fog.  North-west  must  be  our  way,  but 
let's  push  down  here  where  the  slope's  easy,  and  get 
beyond  the  mist,  and  then  we  can  see  what  we  had 
better  do." 

He  led  the  way,  and  before  we  could  realize  it  the 
dense  white  steamy  fog  was  all  around  us,  and  we 
could  hardly  see  each  other. 

"All  right!"  said  Uncle  Dick;  "keep  together." 

"Can  you  see  where  you  are  going,  Dick?"  said 
Uncle  Jack. 

"No,  I'm  as  if  I  was  blindfolded  with  a  white  crape 
handkerchief." 


52  A   SHOCK. 

"No  precipices  here,  are  there?"  I  cried  nervously, 
for  it  seemed  so  strange  to  be  walking  through  this 
dense  mist. 

"No,  I  hope  not,"  cried  Uncle  Dick  out  of  the  mist 
ahead.  "You  keep  talking,  and  follow  me,  I'll  answer 
you,  or  else  we  shall  be  separated,  and  that  won't  do 
now.     All  right!" 

"All  rioht!"  we  chorused  back. 

"All  right!"  cried  Uncle  Dick;  "nice  easy  slope  here, 
but  slippery." 

"All  right!"  we  chorused. 

"All  ri— Take— " 

We  stopped  short  in  horror  wondering  what  had 
happened,  for  Uncle  Dick's  words  seemed  cut  in  two, 
there  was  a  rustling  scramblinor  sound,  and  then  all 
was  white  fog  and  silence,  broken  only  by  our  panting 
breath. 

"Dick!  where  are  you?"  cried  Uncle  Jack  taking  a 
step  forward. 

"Mind!"  cried  Uncle  Bob,  catching  him  by  the  arm. 

It  was  well  he  did,  for  that  was  the  rustling  scram- 
bling noise  again  falling  on  my  ears,  with  a  panting 
struggle,  and  two  voices  in  the  dense  fog  seeming  to 
utter  ejaculations  of  horror  and  dread. 


CHAPTER  V. 

A   NIGHT   OF   ANXIETY. 

LOOKED  in  the  direction  from  which  the 
sounds  came,  but  there  was  nothing  visible, 
save  the  thick  white  fog,  and  in  my  excite- 
ment and  horror,  thinking  I  was  looking  in 
the  wrong  direction,  I  turned  sharply  round. 

White  foG:. 

I  looked  in  another  direction. 

White  fog:. 

Then  I  seemed  to  lose  my  head  altogether,  and  hui-- 
ried  here  and  there  with  my  hands  extended,  completely 
astray. 

It  only  took  moments,  swift  moments,  for  all  this  to 
take  place,  and  then  I  heard  voices  that  I  knew,  but 
sounding  muffled  and  as  if  a  long  way  off. 

"Cob!  where  are  you.  Cob?" 

"Here,"  I  shouted.     "I'll  try  and  come." 

"No,  no!" — it  was  Uncle  Jack  who  spoke — "don't 
stir  for  your  life." 

"But,"  I  shouted,  with  my  voice  sounding  as  if  I  was 
covered  with  a  blanket,  "I  want  to  come  to  you." 

"Stop  where  you  are,"  he  cried.     "I  command  you." 

I  stayed  where  I  was,  and  the  next  moment  a  fresh 
voice  cried  to  me,  as  if  pitying  my  condition: 

"Cob.  lad." 


54  THE   HORRIBLE   rRECIPlCE. 

"Yes,"  I  cried. 

"There  is  a  horrible  precipice.     Don't  stir. 

It  was  Uncle  Bob  who  said  this  to  comfort  nie,  and 
make  me  safe  from  running  risks,  but  he  made  me  turn 
all  of  a  cold  perspiration,  and  I  stood  there  shivering, 
listening  to  the  murmur  of  voices  that  came  to  me  in  a 
stitied  way. 

At  last  I  could  bear  it  no  longer.  It  seemed  so 
strange.  Only  a  minute  or  two  ago  we  were  all  together 
on  the  top  of  a  great  hill  admiring  the  prospect.  Now 
we  were  separated.  Then  all  seemed  open  and  clear, 
and  we  were  looking  away  for  miles:  now  I  seemed 
shut  in  by  this  pale  white  gloom  that  stopped  my  sight, 
and  almost  my  hearing,  while  it  numbed  and  confused 
my  faculties  in  a  way  that  1  could  not  have  felt  pos- 
sible. 

"Uncle  Jack!"  I  cried,  as  a  sudden  recollection  came 
back  of  a  cry  I  had  heard. 

"He  is  not  here,"  cried  Uncle  Bob.  "He  is  trying  to 
find  a  way  down." 

"Where  is  Uncle  Dick?" 

"Hush,  boy!  don't  ask." 

"But,  uncle,  I  may  come  to  you,  may  I  not?"  I  cried, 
trembling  with  the  dread  of  what  had  happened,  for  in 
spite  of  my  confused  state  I  realized  now  that  Uncle 
Dick  must  have  fallen. 

"My  boy,"  he  shouted  back,  "I  daren't  say  yes.  The 
place  ends  here  in  a  terrible  way.  We  two  nearly  went 
over,  and  I  dare  not  stir,  for  I  cannot  see  a  yard  from 
my  feet.     I  am  on  a  very  steep  slope  too." 

"But  where  has  Uncle  Jack  gone  then?" 

"Ahoy!"  came  from  somewhere  behind  me,  and 
apparently  below. 

"Ahoy!  Uncle  Jack,"  I  yelled. 


THE   PERIL   INCREASES.  55 

"Ahoy,  boy!  I  want  to  come  to  you.  Keep  shouting 
here — he  ?  'e — here. 

I  did  as  he  bade  me,  and  he  kept  answering  me,  and 
for  a  minute  or  two  he  seemed  to  be  coming  nearer. 
Then  his  voice  sounded  more  distant,  and  more  distant 
still;  then  ceased. 

"Cob,  I  can't  hear  him,"  came  from  near  me  out  of 
the  dense  gloom.     "Can  you?" 

"No!"  I  said  with  a  shiver. 

"Ahoy,  Jack!"  roared  Uncle  Bob. 

"Ahoy — y!"  came  from  a  distance  in  a  curiously 
stifled  way. 

"Give  it  up  till  the  fog  clears  off.     Stand  still." 

There  was  no  reply,  and  once  more  the  terrible 
silence  seemed  to  clinch  round  me.  The  o-loom  increased, 
and  I  sank  on  my  knees,  not  daring  to  stand  now,  but 
listening,  if  I  may  say  so,  with  all  my  might. 

What  had  happened?  What  was  going  to  happen? 
Were  we  to  stay  there  all  night  in  the  darkness, 
shivering  with  cold  and  damp?  Only  a  little  while 
ago  I  had  been  tired  and  hot;  now  I  did  not  feel  the 
fatigue,  but  was  shivering  with  cold,  and  my  hands 
and  face  were  wet. 

I  wanted  to  call  out  to  Uncle  Bob  again,  but  the 
sensation  came  over  me — the  strange,  wild  fancy  that 
something  had  happened  to  him,  and  I  dared  not  speak 
for  fear  of  finding  that  it  was  true. 

All  at  once  as  I  knelt  there,  listening  intently  for  the 
slirrhtest  sound,  I  fancied  I  heard  some  one  breathing^. 
Then  the  sound  stopped.  Then  it  came  nearer,  and 
the  dense  mist  parted,  and  a  figure  was  upon  me, 
crawling  close  by  me  without  seeing  me;  and  ciying 
"  Uncle  Bob ! "  I  started  forward  and  caught  at  him 
as  I  thought.      My  hands  seized  moist  wool   for  a 


56  STANDING    FAST. 

moment,  and  then  it  was  jerked  out  of  my  hands,  as, 
with  a  fi'ig-htened  Baa!  its  wearer  bounded  away. 

"What's  that?"  came  from  my  left  and  below  me, 
in  the  same  old  suffocated  tone. 

"A  sheep,"  I  cried,  trembling  with  the  start  the 
creature  had  given  me. 

"  Did  you  see  which  way  it  went?" 

"  Yes — beyond  me." 

"  Then  it  must  be  safe  your  way.  Cob.  I'll  try  and 
crawl  to  you,  lad,  but  I'm  so  unnerved  I  can  hardly 
make  up  my  mind  to  stir." 

"  Let  me  come  to  you,"  I  cried. 

"No,. no!    I'll  try  and  get  to  you.    Where  are  you?" 

"  Here,"  I  cried. 

"All  right!"  came  back  in  answer;  but  matters  did 
not  seem  all  right,  for  Uncle  Bob's  voice  suddenly 
seemed  to  grow  more  distant,  and  when  I  shouted  to 
him  my  cry  came  back  as  if  I  had  put  my  face  against 
a  wall  and  spoken  within  an  inch  or  two  thereof. 

"  I  think  we'd  better  give  it  up,  Cob,"  he  shouted 
now  from  somewhere  quite  different.  It  is  not  safe  to 
stir." 

I  did  not  think  so,  and  determined  to  make  an 
attempt  to  get  to  him. 

For,  now  that  I  had  grown  a  little  used  to  the  fog, 
it  did  not  seem  so  appalling,  though  it  had  grown 
thicker  and  darker  till  I  seemed  quite  shut  in. 

"  I'll  stop  where  I  am.  Cob,"  came  now  as  if  from 
above  me;  "and  I  daresay  in  a  short  time  the  wind 
will  rise." 

I  answered,  but  I  felt  as  if  I  could  not  keep  still.  I 
had  been  scared  by  the  sudden  separation  from  my 
companions,  but  the  startled  feeling  having  passed 
away  I  did  not  realize  the  extent  of  our  danger.     In 


I    GROW   BOLDER.  57 

fact  it  seemed  absurd  for  three  strong  men  and  a  lad 
like  me  to  be  upset  in  this  way  by  a  mist. 

Uncle  Dick  had  had  a  fall,  but  I  would  not  l)elieve 
it  had  been  serious.  Perhaps  he  had  only  slipped 
down  some  long  slope. 

I  crouched  there  in  the  darkness,  straining  my  eyes 
to  try  and  pierce  the  mist,  and  at  last,  unable  to  re- 
strain my  impatience,  I  began  to  crawl  slowly  on  hands 
and  knees  in  the  direction  whence  my  uncle's  voice 
seemed  to  come. 

I  crept  a  yard  at  a  time  very  carefully,  feeling  round 
with  my  hands  before  I  ventured  to  move,  and  satis- 
fying myself  that  the  ground  was  solid  all  around. 

It  seemed  so  easy,  and  it  was  so  impossible  that  I 
could  come  to  any  harm  this  way,  that  I  grew  more 
confident,  and  passing  my  hand  over  the  rough  shale 
chips  that  were  spread  around  amongst  the  short  grass, 
I  began  to  wonder  how  my  uncles  could  have  been  so 
timid,  and  not  have  made  a  brave  effort  to  escape  from 
our  difficulty. 

I  kept  on,  growing  more  and  more  confident  each 
moment  in  spite  of  the  thick  darkness  that  surrounded 
me,  for  it  seemed  so  much  easier  than  crouching  there 
doing  nothing  for  myself.  But  I  went  very  cautiously, 
for  I  found  I  was  on  a  steep  slope,  and  that  very  little 
would  have  been  required  to  send  me  sliding  down. 

Creep,  creep,  creep,  a  yard  in  two  or  three  minutes, 
but  still  I  was  progressing  somewhere,  and  even  at 
this  rate  I  thought  that  I  could  join  either  of  my  com- 
panions when  I  chose. 

I  had  made  up  my  mind  to  go  a  few  yards  further 
and  then  speak,  feeling  sure  that  I  should  be  close  to 
Uncle  Bob,  and  that  then  we  could  go  on  together  and 
find  Uncle  Jack. 


58  A   NARROW   ESCAPE. 

I  had  just  come  to  this  conclusion,  and  was  thrusting 
out  my  right  hand  again,  when,  as  I  tried  to  set  it 
down,  there  was  nothing  there. 

I  drew  it  in  sharply  and  set  it  down  close  to  the 
other  as  I  knelt,  and  then  passed  it  slowly  from  me 
over  the  loose  scraps  of  slaty  stone  to  find  it  touch  the 
edge  of  a  bank  that  seemed  to  have  been  cut  off  per- 
pendicularly, and  on  passing  my  hand  over,  it  touched 
first  soft  turf  and  earth  and  then  scrappy  loose  frag- 
ments of  shale. 

This  did  not  startle  me,  for  it  appeared  to  be  only  a 
little  depression  in  the  ground,  but  thrusting  out  one 
foot  I  found  that  go  over  too,  so  that  I  knew  I  must 
be  parallel  with  the  edge  of  the  trench  or  crack  in  the 
earth. 

I  picked  up  a  piece  of  shale  and  threw  it  from  me, 
listening  for  its  fall,  but  no  sound  came,  so  I  sat  down 
with  one  leg  over  the  depression  and  kicked  with  my 
heel  to  loosen  a  bit  of  the  soil. 

1  was  a  couple  of  feet  back,  and  as  I  kicked  I  felt 
the  ground  I  sat  upon  quiver;  then  there  was  a  loud 
rushing  sound,  and  I  threw  myself  down  clinging  with 
my  hands,  for  a  great  piece  of  the  edge  right  up  to 
where  I  sat  had  given  way  and  gone  down,  leaving  me 
with  my  legs  hanging  over  the  edge,  and  but  for  my 
sudden  effort  I  should  have  fallen. 

"  What  was  that?"  cried  a  voice  some  distance  above 
me. 

"It  is  I,  Uncle  Bob,"  I  panted.  "Come  and  help 
me. 

I  heard  a  fierce  drawing  in  of  the  breath,  and  then 
a  low  crawling  sound,  and  little  bits  of  stone  seemed 
to  be  moved  close  by  me. 

"  Where  are  you,  boy?"  came  again. 


rOLD    AND   DAMP.  59 

"Here." 

"Can  you  crawl  to  me?     I'm  close  by  your  head." 

"No,"  I  gasped.    "If  I  move  I'm  afraid  I  shall  fall." 

There  was  the  same  fierce  drawing  in  of  the  breath, 
the  crawling  sound  again,  and  a  hand  touched  my  face, 
passed  round  it,  and  took  a  tight  hold  of  my  collar. 

"Lie  quite  still,  Cob,"  was  whispered;  "I'm  going  to 
draw  you  up.     Now!" 

I  felt  myself  dragged  up  suddenly,  and  at  the  same 
moment  the  earth  and  stones  upon  which  I  had  been 
lying  dropped  from  under  me  with  a  loud  hissing 
rushing  sound,  and  then  I  was  lying  quite  still,  cling- 
ing to  Uncle  Bob's  hand,  which  was  very  wet  and 
cold. 

"  How  did  you  come  there?"  he  said  at  length. 

"  Crawled  there,  trying  to  get  to  you,"  I  said. 

"And  nearly  went  down  that  fearful  precipice,  you 
foolish  fellow.     But  there:  you  are  safe." 

"  I  did  not  know  it  was  so  dangerous,"  I  faltered. 

"  Dangerous!"  he  cried.  "It  is  awful  in  this  horrible 
darkness.  The  mountain  seems  to  have  been  cut  in 
half  somewhere  about  here,  and  this  fo^  confuses  so 
that  it  is  impossible  to  stir.  We  must  wait  till  it 
blows  off.  I  think  we  are  safe  now,  but  I  dare  not 
try  to  find  a  better  place.     Dare  you?" 

"  Not  after  what  I  have  just  escaped  from,"  I  said 
dolefully. 

"Are  you  cold  ?" 

"Ye-es,"  I  said  with  a  shiver.     "  It  is  so  damp." 

"  Creep  close  to  me,  then,"  he  said.  "  We  shall  keep 
each  other  warm." 

We  sat  like  that  for  hours,  and  still  the  fog  kept  as 
dense  as  ever,  only  that  overhead  there  was  a  faiiit 
light,  which  grew  stronger  and  then  died  out  over  and 


60  THE   BREEZE   AT   LAST. 

over  again.  The  stillness  was  awful,  but  I  had  a  com- 
panion, and  that  made  my  position  less  painful.  He 
would  not  talk,  though  as  a  rule  he  was  very  bright 
and  chatty;  now  he  would  only  say,  "Wait  and  see;" 
and  we  waited. 

The  change  came,  after  those  long  terrilJe  hours  of 
anxiety,  like  magic.  One  moment  it  was  thick  dark- 
ness; the  next  I  felt,  as  it  were,  a  feather  brush  across 
ni}'-  cheek. 

"Did  you  feel  that  ?"  I  said  quickly. 

"Feel  what.  Cob?" 

"Something  breathing  aofainst  us?" 

"No — yes!"  he  cried  joyfully.     "It  was  the  wind." 

The  same  touch  came  again,  but  stronger.  There 
was  light  above  our  heads.  I  could  dimly  see  my 
companion,  and  then  a  cloud  that  looked  white  and 
strange  in  the  moonlight  was  gliding  slowly  away  from 
us  over  what  seemed  to  be  a  vast  black  chasm  whose 
edge  was  only  a  few  yards  away. 

It  was  wonderful  how  quickly  that  mist  departed 
and  went  skimming  away  into  the  distance,  as  if  a 
great  curtain  were  being  drawn,  leaving  the  sky  spark- 
ling with  stars  and  the  moon  shining  bright  and  clear. 

"You  see  now  the  danger  from  which  you  escaped?" 
said  Uncle  Bob  with  a  shudder. 

"Yes,"  I  said;  "but  did — do  you  think " 

He  looked  at  me  without  answering,  and  just  then 
there  came  from  behind  us  a  loud  "Ahoy!" 

"Ahoy!"  shouted  back  Uncle  Bob;  and  as  we  turned 
in  the  direction  of  the  cry  we  could  see  Uncle  Jack 
waving  his  white  handkerchief  to  us,  and  we  were 
soon  after  by  his  side. 

They  gripped  hands  without  a  word  as  they  met, 
and  then  after  a  short  silence  Uncle  Jack  said: 


A   HUNT  FOR  THE   LOST.  61 

"We  had  better  get  on  and  descend  on  the  other 
side." 

"But  Uncle  Dick!"  I  cried  impetuously;  "are  you 
not  going  to  search  for  Uncle  Dick?" 

The  brothers  tui'ned  upon  me  quite  fiercely,  but 
neither  of  them  spoke;  and  for  the  next  hour  we  went 
stumbling  on  down  the  steep  slope  of  the  great  hill, 
trying  to  keep  to  the  sheep  -  tracks,  which  showed 
pretty  plainly  in  the  moonlight,  but  every  now  and 
then  we  went  astray. 

My  uncles  were  wonderfully  quiet,  but  they  kept 
steadily  on;  and  I  did  not  like  to  break  their  com- 
munings, and  so  trudged  behind  them,  noting  that 
they  kept  as  near  as  seemed  practicable  to  the  place 
where  the  mountain  ended  in  a  precipice;  and  now 
after  some  walkino-  I  could  look  back  and  see  that  the 
moon  was  shining  full  upon  the  face  of  the  hill,  which 
looked  gray  and  as  if  one  end  had  been  dug  right 
away. 

On  we  went  silently  and  with  a  settled  determined 
aim,  about  which  no  one  spoke,  but  perhaps  thought 
all  the  more. 

I  know  that  I  thouo-ht  so  much  about  the  end  of 
our  quest  that  I  kept  shuddering  as  I  trudged  on,  with 
sore  feet,  feeling  that  in  a  short  time  we  should  be 
turning  sharp  round  to  our  left  so  as  to  get  to  the  foot 
of  the  great  precipice,  where  the  hill  had  been  gnawed 
away  by  time,  and  where  the  loose  earth  still  kept 
shiverina:  down. 

It  was  as  I  expected;  we  turned  sharp  off  to  the 
left  and  were  soon  walkino;  with  our  faces  towards  the 
gray-looking  face,  that  at  first  looked  high,  but,  as  we 
went  on,  towered  up  more  and  more  till  the  height 
seemed  terrific. 


62  THE   WEARY   SEARCH. 

It  was  a  weary  heart-rending  walk  before  we  reached 
the  hill-like  slope  where  the  loose  shal}'  rock  and  earth 
was  ever  falling  to  add  to  the  debris  up  which  we 
climbed. 

"  There's  no  telling  exactly  where  he  must  have  come 
over,"  said  Uncle  Jack,  after  we  had  searched  about 
some  time,  expecting  moment  by  moment  to  come 
upon  the  insensible  form  of  our  companion.  "  We  must 
spread  out  more." 

For  we  neither  of  us  would  own  to  the  possibility  of 
Uncle  Dick  being  killed.  For  my  part  I  imagined  that 
he  would  have  a  broken  leg,  perhaps,  or  a  sprained 
ankle.  If  he  had  fallen  head-first  he  might  have  put 
out  his  shoulder  or  broken  his  collar-bone.  I  would 
not  imagine  anything  worse. 

The  moon  was  not  so  clear  now,  for  fleecy  clouds 
began  to  sail  across  it  and  made  the  search  more  diffi- 
cult, as  we  clambered  on  over  the  shale,  which  in  the 
steepest  parts  gave  way  under  our  feet.  But  I  deter- 
minedly climbed  on,  sure  that  if  I  got  very  high  up  I 
should  be  able  to  look  down  and  see  where  Uncle  Dick 
was  lying. 

To  this  end  I  toiled  higher  and  higher,  till  I  could 
fairly  consider  that  I  was  touching  the  face  of  the 
mountain  where  the  slope  of  debris  began;  and  I  now 
found  that  the  precipice  sloped  too,  being  anything 
but  perpendicular. 

"  Can  you  see  him.  Cob?"  cried  Uncle  Jack  from  below. 

"  No,"  I  said  despondently. 

"Stay  where  you  are,"  he  cried  again,  "quite  still." 

That  was  impossible,  for  where  I  stood  the  shale 
was  so  small  and  loose  that  I  was  sliding  down  slowly; 
but  I  made  very  little  noise,  and  just  then  Uncle  Jack 
uttered  a  tremendous — 


NO   ECHO.  63 

"Dick,  ahoy!" 

There  was  a  pause  and  he  shouted  again: 

"Dick,  ahoy!" 

"Ahoy!"  came  back  faintly  from  somewhere  a  long 
way  oft". 

"There  he  is!"  I  cried. 

"No — an  echo,"  said  Uncle  Jack.     "Ahoy!" 

"Ahoy!"  came  back. 

"  There,  you  see — an  echo." 

"Ahoy!"  came  again. 

"  That's  no  echo,"  cried  Uncle  Bob  joyfully.    "  Dick!" 

He  shouted  as  loudly  as  he  could. 

"Ahoy!" 

"There!  it  was  no  echo.  He's  all  right;  and  after 
falling  down  here  he  has  worked  his  way  out  and 
round  the  other  side,  where  we  went  up  first,  while  we 
came  down  the  other  way  and  missed  him. 

"Dick,  ahoy!"  he  shouted  again;  "where  away?" 

"Ahoy!"  come  back,  and  we  had  to  consult. 

"  If  we  go  up  one  way  to  meet  him  he  will  come 
down  the  other,"  said  Uncle  Bob.  "  There's  nothing 
for  it  but  to  wait  till  morninij  or  divide,  and  one  of 
us  go  up  one  side  while  the  other  two  go  up  the 
other." 

Uncle  Jack  snapped  his  watch-case  down  after  ex- 
amining the  face  by  the  pale  light  of  the  moon. 

"  Two  o'clock,"  he  said,  throwing  himself  on  the  loose 
shale.  "  Ten  minutes  ago,  when  we  were  in  doubt,  I 
felt  as  if  I  could  go  on  for  hours  with  the  search. 
Now  I  know  that  poor  old  Dick  is  alive  I  can't  walk 
another  yard." 

I  had  slipped  and  scrambled  down  to  him  now,  and 
Uncle  Bob  turned  to  me. 

"How  are  you.  Cob?"  he  said. 


04  NOT   BROKEN. 

'  The  skin  is  off  one  of  my  heels,  and  I  have  a  blister 
on  iny  big  toe." 

"  And  I'm  dead  beat,"  said  Uncle  Bob,  sinking  down. 
"  You're  right.  Jack,  we  must  have  a  rest.  Let's  wait 
till  it's  light.  It  will  be  broad  day  by  four  o'clock,  and 
we  can  signal  to  him  which  way  to  come." 

I  nestled  down  close  to  him,  relieved  in  mind  and 
body,  and  I  was  just  thinking  that  though  scraps  of 
slaty  stone  and  brashy  earth  were  not  good  things  for 
stuffing  a  feather-bed,  they  were,  all  the  same,  very  com- 
fortable for  a  weary  person  to  lie  upon,  when  I  felt  a 
hand  laid  upon  my  shoulder,  and  opening  my  eyes 
found  the  sun  shining  brightly  and  Uncle  Dick  look- 
ing down  in  my  face. 

"  Have  I  been  asleep  ? "  I  said  confusedly. 

"  Four  hours.  Cob,"  said  Uncle  Jack.  "  You  lay 
down  at  two.     It  is  now  six." 

"  But  I  dreamed  something  about  you.  Uncle  Dick," 
I  said  confusedly.     "  I  thought  you  were  lost." 

"  Well,  not  exactly  lost,  Cob,"  he  said;  "  but  I  slipped 
over  that  tremendous  slope  up  yonder,  and  came  down 
with  a  rush,  stunning  myself  and  making  a  lot  of 
bruises  that  are  very  sore.  I  must  have  come  down  a 
terrible  distance,  and  I  lay,  I  suppose,  for  a  couple  of 
hours  before  I  could  get  up  and  try  to  make  my  way 
back." 

"  But  you  are  not — not  broken,"  I  cried,  now  thor- 
oughly awake  and  holding  his  hand. 

"No,  Cob,"  he  said  smiling;  "not  broken,  but  starv- 
ing and  very  faint." 

A  three  miles'  walk  took  us  to  where  we  obtained  a 
very  hearty  breakfast,  and  here  the  farmer  willingly 
drove  us  to  the  nearest  station,  from  whence  by  a 
roundabout  wav  we  journeyed  back  to  Arrowfield,  and 


MRS.  Stephenson's  impression.  65 

found  the  landlady  in  conference  with  Mr.  Tomplin, 
who  had  come  to  our  place  on  receiving  a  message  from 
Mrs.  Stephenson  that  we  had  gone  down  to  the  works 
and  not  returned,  her  impression  being  that  the  men 
had  drowned  us  all  in  the  dam. 


:392)  E 


CHAPTER  VI. 


"DO   LET   ME   COME. 


HE  rest  of  the  week  soon  slipped  by,  and  my 
uncles  took  possession  of  the  works,  but  not 
peaceably. 

The  agent  who  had  had  the  letting  went 
down  to  meet  my  uncles  and  give  them  formal  posses- 
sion. 

When  he  got  there  he  was  attacked  by  the  work- 
people, with  words  first,  and  then  with  stones  and  pails 
of  water. 

The  consequence  was  that  he  went  home  with  a  cut 
head  and  his  clothes  soaked. 

"But  what's  to  be  done?"  said  Uncle  Dick  to  him. 
"  We  want  the  place  according  to  the  agreement." 

The  agent  looked  up,  holding  one  hand  to  his  head, 
and  looking  white  and  scared. 

"Call  themselves  men!"  he  said.  "I  call  them  wild 
beasts." 

"  Call  them  what  you  like,"  said  Uncle  Dick;  "  wild 
beasts  if  you  will,  but  get  them  out." 

"  But  I  can't,"  groaned  the  man  dismally.  "  See 
what  a  state  I'm  in!  They've  spoiled  my  second  best 
suit." 

"  Very  tiresome,"  said  Uncle  Dick,  who  was  growing 


PREPARING   FOR  THE   EXPEDITION.  67 

impatient;  "  but  are  you  going  to  gut  these  people  out? 
We've  two  truck -loads  of  machinery  waiting  to  be 
delivered." 

"Don't  I  tell  you  I  can't,"  said  the  agent  angrily. 
"  Take  possession  yourself.     There,  I  give  you  leave." 

"  Very  well,"  said  Uncle  Dick.  "  You  assure  me  that 
these  men  have  no  legal  right  to  be  there." 

"  Not  the  slightest.  They  were  only  allowed  to  be 
there  till  the  place  was  let." 

"That's  right;  then  we  take  possession  at  once,  sir." 

"And  good  luck  to  you!"  said  the  agent  as  we  went 
out. 

"  What  are  you  going  to  do?"  asked  Uncle  Bob. 

"  Take  possession." 

"When?" 

"To-night.     Will  you  come?" 

"Will  I  come?"  said  Uncle  Bob  with  a  half  laugh. 
"  You  might  as  well  ask  Jack." 

"  It  may  mean  trouble  to-morrow." 

"  There's  nothing  done  without  trouble,"  said  Uncle 
Bob  coolly.    "  I  like  ease  better,  but  I'll  take  my  share." 

I  was  wildly  excited,  and  began  thinking  that  we 
should  all  be  armed  with  swords  and  guns,  so  that  I 
was  terribly  disappointed  when  that  evening  I  found 
Uncle  Dick  enter  the  room  with  a  brown-paper  parcel 
in  his  hand  that  looked  like  a  book,  and  followed  by 
Uncle  Jack  looking  as  peaceable  as  could  be. 

"  Where's  Uncle  Bob?"  I  said. 

"  Waitino;  for  us  outside." 

"  Why  doesn't  he  come  in?" 

"  He's  busy." 

I  wondered  what  Uncle  Bob  was  busy  about;  but  I 
noticed  that  my  uncles  were  preparing  for  the  ex- 
pedition, putting  some  tools  and  a  small  lantern  in  a 


G8  PITER. 

travelling-bag.  After  this  Uncle  Jack  took  it  open 
down-stairs  ready  for  starting. 

"  Look  here,  Cob,"  said  Uncle  Dick;  "  we  are  going 
down  to  the  works." 

"What!     To-night?" 

"  Yes,  my  lad,  to-night." 

"  But  you  can't  get  in.     The  men  have  the  key." 

"  I  have  the  agent's  keys.  There  are  two  sets,  and 
I  am  going  down  now.  Look  here;  take  a  book  and 
amuse  yourself,  and  go  to  bed  in  good  time.  Perhaps 
we  shall  be  late." 

"  Why,  you  are  going  to  stop  all  night,"  I  cried,  "  so 
as  to  be  there  before  the  men?" 

"  I  confess,"  he  said,  laughing  in  my  excited  face. 

"  And  I  sha'n't  see  any  of  the  fun,"  I  cried. 

"  There  will  not  be  any  fun.  Cob." 

"  Oh,  yes,  there  will,  uncle,"  I  said.  "  I  say,  do  let 
me  come." 

He  shook  his  head,  and  as  I  could  make  no  impres- 
sion on  him  I  gave  up,  and  slipped  down  to  Uncle 
Jack,  who  was  watching  Mrs.  Stephenson  cut  some 
huge  sandwiches  for  provender  during  the  night. 

"  I  say,  uncle,"  I  whispered,  "  I  know  what  you  are 
going  to  do.     Take  me." 

"  No,  no,"  he  said.     "  It  will  be  no  work  for  boys." 

He  was  so  quiet  and  stern  that  I  felt  it  was  of  no 
use  to  press  him,  so  I  left  the  kitchen  and  went  to  the 
front  door  to  try  Uncle  Bob  for  my  last  resource. 

I  opened  the  door  gently,  and  started  back,  for  there 
was  a  savage  growl,  and  I  just  made  out  the  dark  form 
of  a  big-headed  dog  tugging  at  a  string. 

"  Down,  Piter!"  said  Uncle  Bob.  "  Who  is  it?  You, 
Cob?    Here,  Piter,  make  friends  with  him.    Come  out." 

I  went  out  rather  slowly,  for  the  dog  was  growling 


A    GARRISON   FOR   THE   FORT.  69 

ominously;  but  at  a  word  from  Uncle  Bob  he  ceased, 
and  began  to  smell  me  all  round  the  legs,  stopping 
longest  about  my  calves,  as  if  he  thought  that  would 
be  the  best  place  for  a  bite. 

"  Pat  him,  Cob,  and  pull  his  eai\s." 

I  stooped  down  rather  unwillingly,  and  began  pat- 
ting the  ugliest  head  I  ever  saw  in  my  life.  For  Piter 
— otherwise  Jupiter — was  a  brindled  bull-dog  with  an 
enormous  head,  protruding  lower  jaw,  pinched-in  nose, 
and  oprirmins:  teeth.  The  sides  of  his  head  seemed 
swollen,  and  his  chest  broad,  his  body  lank  and  lean, 
ending  in  a  shabby  little  thin  tail. 

"Why,  he  has  no  ears,"  I  said. 

"They  are  cut  pretty  short,  poor  fellow.  But  isn't 
he  a  beauty.  Cob?" 

"Beauty!"  I  said,  laughing.  "But  where  did  you  get 
him?" 

"Mr.  Tomplin  has  lent  him  to  us." 

"But  what  for?" 

"Garrison  for  the  fort,"  my  boy.  "I  think  we  can 
trust  him." 

I  commenced  my  attack  then. 

"I  should  so  like  to  go!"  I  said.  "  It  isn't  as  if  I  was 
a  nuisance.  I  wasn't  so  bad  when  we  were  out  all 
night  by  Dome  Tor." 

"Well,  there,  I'll  talk  them  over,"  he  said.  "Here,  you 
stop  and  hold  the  dog,  while  I  go  in." 

"What,  hold  him?" 

"Yes,  to  be  sure.     I  won't  be  long." 

"But,  uncle,"  I  said,  "he  looks  such  a  brute,  as  if  he'd 
eat  a  fellow." 

"My  dear  Cob,  I  shan't  be  above  a  quarter  of  an 
hour.  He  couldn't  get  through  more^han  one  leg  by 
that  time." 


70  \YE   FRATERNIZE. 

"Now  you're  laughing  at  me,"  I  said. 

"Hold  the  dog,  then,  you  young  coward!" 

"I'm  not,"  I  said  in  an  injured  tone;  and  I  caught  at 
the  leather  thong,  for  if  it  had  been  a  lion  I  should 
have  held  on  then. 

I  wanted  to  say,  "Don't  be  long,"  but  I  was  ashamed, 
and  I  looked  rather  wistfully  over  my  shoulder  as  he 
went  in,  leaving  me  with  the  dog. 

Piter  uttered  a  low  whine  as  the  door  closed,  and 
then  growled  angrily  and  gave  a  short  deep-toned 
bark. 

This  done,  he  growled  at  me,  smelled  me  all  round, 
making  my  legs  seem  to  curdle  as  his  blunt  nose 
touched  them,  and  then  after  winding  the  thong  round 
me  twice  he  stood  up  on  his  hind-legs,  placing  his 
paws  against  my  chest  and  his  ugly  muzzle  between 
them. 

My  heart  was  beating  fast,  but  the  act  was  so 
friendly  that  I  patted  the  great  head;  and  the  end  of 
it  was,  that  I  sat  down  on  the  door-step,  and  when 
Uncle  Bob  came  out  asfain  Piter  and  I  had  fraternized, 
and  he  had  been  showinij  me  as  hard  as  he  could  that 
he  was  my  born  slave,  that  he  was  ready  for  a  bit  of 
fun  at  any  time,  and  also  to  defend  me  against  any 
enemy  who  should  attack. 

Piter's  ways  were  simple.  To  show  the  first  he 
licked  my  hand.  For  the  second,  he  turned  over  on  his 
back,  patted  at  me  with  his  paws,  and  mumbled  my 
legs,  took  a  hold  of  my  trousers  and  dragged  at  them, 
and  butted  at  me  with  his  bullet  head.  For  the  last, 
he  suddenly  sprang  to  his  feet  as  a  step  was  heard, 
crouched  by  me  ready  for  a  spring,  and  made  some 
thunder  inside  him  somewhere. 

This  done,  he  tried  to  show  me  what  fun  it  was  to 


A   TOWN   DOG.  71 

tie  himself  up  in  a  knot  with  the  leathern  thong,  and 
strangle  himself  till  his  eyes  stood  out  of  his  head. 

"Why,  you  have  made  friends,"  said  Uncle  Bob, 
coming  out.     "Good  dog,  then." 

"May  I  go?"  I  said  eagerly. 

"Yes.  They've  given  in.  I  had  a  hard  fight,  sir,  so 
you  must  do  me  credit." 

Half  an  hour  after,  we  four  were  on  our  way  to  our 
own  works,  just  as  if  we  were  stealing  through  the 
dark  to  commit  a  burglary,  and  I  noticed  that  though 
there  were  no  swords  and  guns,  each  of  my  uncles 
carried  a  very  stout  heavy  stick,  that  seemed  to  me 
like  a  yard  of  bad  headache,  cut  very  thick. 

The  streets  looked  very  miserable  as  we  advanced, 
leaving  behind  us  the  noise  and  roar  and  glow  of  the 
panting  machinery  which  every  now  and  then  whistled 
and  screamed  as  if  rejoicing  over  the  metal  it  was  cut- 
ting and  forming  and  working  into  endless  shapes. 
There  behind  us  was  the  red  cloud  against  which  the 
light  from  a  thousand  furnaces  was  glowing,  while 
every  now  and  then  came  a  deafening  roar  as  if  some 
explosion  had  taken  place. 

I  glanced  down  at  Piter  expecting  to  see  him  startled, 
but  he  was  Arrowfield  born,  and  paid  not  the  slightest 
heed  to  noise,  passing  through  a  bright  flash  of  light 
that  shot  from  an  open  door  as  if  it  were  the  usual 
thing,  and  he  did  not  even  twitch  his  tail  as  we  walked 
on  by  a  wall  that  seemed  to  quiver  and  shake  as  some 
great  piece  of  machinery  worked  away,  throbbing  and 
thudding  inside. 

"Here  we  are  at  last,"  said  Uncle  Dick,  as  we  reached 
the  corner  of  our  place,  where  a  lamp  shed  a  ghastly 
kind  of  glow  upon  the  dark  triangular  shaped  dam. 

The  big  stone  building  looked  silent  and  ghostly  in 


72  PROCEEDINGS  IN  BURGLARY. 

the  gloom,  while  the  great  chimney  stood  up  like  a 
giant  sentry  watching  over  it,  and  placed  there  by  the 
men  whom  it  was  our  misfortune  to  have  to  dislodofe. 

We  had  a  perfect  right  to  be  there,  but  one  and  all 
spoke  in  whispers  as  we  looked  round  at  the  buildings 
about,  to  see  in  one  of  a  row  of  houses  that  there  were 
lights,  and  in  a  big  stone  building  similar  to  ours  the 
faint  glow  of  a  lire  left  to  smoulder  till  the  mornins:. 
But  look  which  way  we  would,  there  was  not  a  soul 
about,  and  all  was  still. 

As  we  drew  closer  I  could  hear  the  dripping  of  the 
water  as  it  ran  in  by  the  wheel  where  it  was  not 
securely  stopped;  and  every  now  and  then  there  was 
an  echoing  plash  from  the  great  shut-in  cave,  but  no 
light  in  any  of  the  windows. 

"Come  and  hold  the  bag.  Jack,"  whispered  Uncle 
Dick;  and  then  laughingly  as  we  grouped  about  the 
gate  with  the  dog  sniffing  at  the  bottom:  "If  you  see 
a  policeman  coming,  give  me  fair  warning.  I  hope  that 
dog  will  not  bark.     I  feel  just  like  a  burglar." 

Piter  uttered  a  low  growl,  but  remained  silent, 
while  Uncle  Dick  opened  the  gate  and  we  entered. 

As  soon  as  we  were  inside  the  yard  the  bag  was  put 
under  requisition  again,  a  great  screw-driver  taken  out, 
the  lantern  lit,  and  with  all  the  skill  and  expedition  of 
one  accustomed  to  the  use  of  tools,  Uncle  Dick  un- 
screwed and  took  off  the  lock,  laid  it  aside,  and  fitted 
on,  very  ingeniously,  so  that  the  old  key-hole  should 
do  again,  one  of  the  new  patent  locks  he  had  brought 
with  him  in  the  brown-paper  parcel  I  had  seen. 

This  took  some  little  time,  but  it  was  effected  at 
last,  and  Uncle  Dick  said: 

"  That  is  something  towards  making  the  place  our 
own.     Their  key  will  not  be  worth  much  now." 


TAKING   POSSESSION    BY   NIOHT.  73 

Securing  the  gate  by  turning  the  key  of  the  new 
lock,  we  went  next  to  the  door  leading  into  the  works, 
which  was  also  locked,  but  the  key  the  agent  had 
supplied  opened  it  directly,  and  this  time  Uncle  Dick 
held  box  and  lantern  while  Uncle  Jack  took  off  the 
old  and  fitted  on  the  second  new  lock  that  we  had 
brought. 

It  was  a  curious  scene  in  the  darkness  of  that  great 
stone- floored  echoing  place,  where  an  observer  who 
watched  would  have  seen  a  round  glass  eye  shedding 
a  bright  light  on  a  particular  part  of  the  big  dirty 
door,  and  in  the  golden  ring  the  bull's-eye  made,  a  pair 
of  large  white  hands  busy  at  work  fixing,  turning  a 
gimlet,  putting  in  and  fastening  screws,  while  only 
now  and  then  could  a  face  be  seen  in  the  ring  of 
light. 

"  There,"  said  Uncle  Jack  at  last,  as  he  turned  the 
well-oiled  key  and  made  the  bolt  of  the  lock  play  in 
and  out  of  its  socket,  "now  I  think  we  can  call  the 
place  our  own." 

"I  say.  Uncle  Bob,"  I  whispered — I  don't  know  why, 
unless  it  was  the  darkness  that  made  me  speak  low 
— "  I  should  like  to  see  those  fellows'  faces  when  they 
come  to  the  o-ate  to-morrow  mornino-." 

"  Especially  Old  Squintum's,"  said  Uncle  Bob  laugh- 
ing. "  Pleasant  countenance  that  man  has.  Col  >.  If 
ever  he  is  modelled  I  should  like  to  have  a  copy. 
Now,  boys,  what  next  ? " 

"Next!"  said  Uncle  Dick;  "we'll  just  have  a  look 
round  this  place  and  see  what  there  is  belonging  to 
the  men,  and  we'll  put  all  together  so  as  to  be  able  to 
give  it  up  when  they  come." 

"The  small  grindstones  are  theirs,  are  they  not?" 
said  Uncle  Bob. 


74  BY  bull's-eye  light. 

"No;  the  agent  says  that  everything  belongs  to  the 
\vorks  and  will  be  found  in  the  inventory.  All  we 
have  to  turn  out  will  be  the  blades  they  are  grinding." 

Uncle  Dick  went  forward  from  grindstone  to  grind- 
stone, but  only  in  one  place  was  anything  waiting  to 
be  ground,  and  that  was  a  bundle  of  black-looking, 
newly-forged  scythe  blades,  neatly  tied  up  with  bands 
of  wire. 

He  went  on  from  end  to  end,  making  the  light  play 
on  grindstone,  trough,  and  the  rusty  sand  that  lay 
al)Out;  but  nothing  else  was  to  be  seen,  and  after 
reaching  the  door  leading  into  the  great  chamber 
where  the  water-wheel  revolved,  he  turned  back  the 
light,  looking  like  some  dancing  will-o'-the-wisp  as  he 
directed  it  here  and  there,  greatly  to  the  puzzlement 
of  Piter,  to  whom  it  was  something  new. 

He  tuo-cred  at  the  stout  leathern  thonoc  once  or  twice, 
but  I  held  on  and  he  ceased,  contenting  himself  with 
a  low  uneasy  whine  now  and  then,  and  looking  up  to 
me  with  his  great  protruding  eyes,  as  if  for  an  ex- 
planation. 

"  Now  let's  have  a  look  round  upwards,"  said  Uncle 
Dick.  "  I'm  glad  the  men  have  left  so  few  of  their 
traps  here.  Cob,  my  lad,  you  need  not  hold  that  dog. 
Take  the  swivel  oti"  his  collar  and  let  him  go.  He 
can't  get  away." 

"  Besides,"  said  Uncle  Bob,  "  this  is  to  be  his  home." 

I  stooped  down  and  unhooked  th(;  spring  swivel,  to 
Piter's  great  delight,  which  he  displayed  by  scuffling 
about  our  feet,  trying  to  get  himself  trodden  upon  by 
all  in  turn,  and  ending  by  making  a  rush  at  the  bull's- 
eye  lantern,  and  knocking  his  head  against  the  round 
glass. 

"  Pretty  little  creature!"  said  Uncle  Bob.     "Well,  I 


"SOMEONE   there!"  75 

should  have  given  him  credit  for  more  sense  than  a 
moth." 

Piter  growled  as  if  he  were  dissatisfied  with  the 
result,  and  then  his  hideous  little  crinkled  black  nose 
was  seen  as  he  smelt  the  lantern  all  round,  and,  ap- 
parently gratified  by  the  odour  of  the  oil,  he  licked  his 
black  lips. 

"  Now  then,  upstairs,"  said  Uncle  Dick,  leading  the 
way  with  the  lantern,  But  as  soon  as  the  light  fell 
upon  the  flight  of  stone  stairs  Piter  went  to  the  front 
with  a  rush,  his  claws  pattered  on  the  stones,  and  he 
was  up  at  the  top  waiting  for  us,  after  giving  a  scratch 
at  a  rough  door,  his  ugly  countenance  looking  down 
curiously  out  of  the  darkness. 

"Good  dog!"  said  Uncle  Dick  as  he  reached  the 
landing  and  unlatched  the  door. 

Piter  squeezed  himself  through  almost  before  the 
door  was  six  inches  open,  and  the  next  moment  he 
burst  into  a  furious  deep-mouthed  bay. 

"Someone  there!"  cried  Uncle  Dick,  and  he  rushed 
in,  lantern  in  hand,  to  make  the  light  play  round, 
while  my  uncles  changed  the  hold  of  their  stout  sticks, 
holding  them  cudgel  fashion  ready  for  action. 

The  light  rested  directly  on  the  face  and  chest  of  a 
man  sitting  up  between  a  couple  of  rusty  lathes,  where 
a  quantity  of  straw  had  been  thrown  down,  and  at  the 
first  glimpse  it  was  evident  that  the  dog  had  just 
aroused  him  from  a  heavy  sleep. 

His  eyes  were  half  closed,  bits  of  oat  straw  were 
sticking  in  his  short  dark  hair,  and  glistened  like  frag- 
ments of  pale  gold  in  the  light  cast  by  the  bull's-eye, 
while  two  blackened  and  roughened  hands  were  ap- 
plied to  his  eyes  as  if  he  were  trying  to  rub  them 
bright. 


76  IN   CHARGE. 

Piter's  was  an  ugly  face;  but  the  countenance  of  an 
ugly  animal  is  pleasanter  to  look  upon  than  that  of  an 
ugly  degraded  human  being,  and  as  I  saw  the  rough 
stuljbly  jaws  open,  displaying  some  yellow  and  black- 
ened teeth  that  glistened  in  the  light  as  their  owner 
yawned  widely,  I  began  to  think  our  dog  handsome  by 
comparison. 

The  man  growled  as  if  not  yet  awake,  and  rubbed 
away  at  his  eyes  with  his  big  fists,  as  if  they,  too,  re- 
quired a  great  deal  of  polishing  to  make  them  bright 
enoufjh  to  see. 

At  last  he  dropped  his  fists  and  stared  straight 
before  him — no,  that's  a  mistake,  he  stared  with  the 
range  of  his  eyes  crossing,  and  then  seemed  to  have 
some  confused  idea  that  there  was  a  light  before  him, 
and  a  dog  making  a  noise,  for  he  growled  out : 

"Lie  down!" 

Then,  bending  forward,  he  swept  an  arm  round,  as 
if  in  search  of  something,  which  he  caught  hold  of  at 
last,  and  we  understood  why  he  was  so  confused.  For 
it  was  a  large  stone  bottle  he  had  taken  up.  From  this 
he  removed  the  cork  with  a  dull  jPoj9.'  raised  the  bottle 
with  both  hands,  took  a  long  draught,  and  corked  the 
bottle  again  with  a  sigh,  set  it  down  beside  hiin,  and 
after  yawning  loudly  shouted  once  more  at  the  dog, 
"Get  out!     Lie  down!" 

Then  he  settled  himself  as  if  about  to  do  what  he 
had  bidden  the  dog,  but  a  gleam  of  intelligence  ap- 
peared to  have  come  now  into  his  brain. 

Thei-e  was  no  mistaking  the  man:  it  was  the  squint- 
inor  ruffian  who  had  attacked  us  when  we  came  first, 
and  there  was  no  doubt  that  he  had  been  staying  there 
to  keep  watch  and  hold  the  place  against  us,  for  a 
candle  was  stuck  in  a  ginger-beer  bottle  on  the  frame 


"police!"  77 

of  tlie  lathe  beyond  him,  and  this  candle  had  guttered 
down  and  gone  out. 

We  none  of  us  spoke,  but  stood  in  the  black  shadow 
invisible  to  the  man,  who  could  only  see  the  bright 
light  of  the  bull's-eye  staring  him  full  in  the  face. 

"Lie  down,  will  yer!"  he  growled  savagely.  "Makin' 
shut  a  row !     Lie  down  or " 

He  shouted  this  last  in  such  a  fierce  tone  of  menace 
that  it  would  have  scared  some  doars. 

It  had  a  different  effect  on  Piter,  who  growled 
angrily. 

"Don't,  then,"  shouted  the  man;  "howl  and  bark — 
make  a  row,  but  if  yer  touch  me  I'll  take  yer  down 
and  drownd  yer  in  the  wheel-pit.  D'yer  hear?  in  the 
wheel-pit!" 

This  was  said  in  a  low  drowsy  tone  and  as  if  the 
fellow  were  nearly  asleep,  and  as  the  light  played  upon 
his  half-closed  dreamy  eyes  he  muttered  and  stared  at 
it  as  if  completely  overcome  by  sleep. 

It  was  perfectly  ridiculous,  and  yet  horrible,  to  see 
that  rough  head  and  hideous  face  nodding  and  blink- 
ing  at  the  light  as  the  fellow  supported  himself  on 
both  his  hands  in  an  ape-like  attitude  that  was  more 
animal  than  human. 

All  this  was  a  matter  of  a  minute  or  so,  and  then 
the  ugly  cross  eyes  closed,  opened  sharply,  and  were 
brought  to  bear  upon  the  light  one  after  the  other  by 
movements  of  the  head,  just  as  a  magpie  looks  at  a 
young  bird  before  he  kills  it  with  a  stroke  of  his 
bill. 

Then  a  glimpse  of  intelligence  seemed  to  shoot  from 
them,  and  the  man  sat  up  sharply. 

"What's  that  light?"  he  said  roughly.  "Police! 
What  do  you  want?" 


78  ARMED   WITH   A   PISTOL, 

"  What  are  you  doing  here?"  said  Uncle  Jack  in  his 
deep  voice. 

"Doing,  p'liceiuan!  Keeping  wetch.  Set  o' Lonnoners 
trying  to  get  howd  o'  wucks,  and  me  and  my  mates 
wean't  hev  'em.     Just  keeping  wetch.     Good  night!" 

He  sat  up,  staring  harder  at  the  light,  and  then 
tried  to  see  behind  it. 

"Well,"  he  cried,  "why  don't  you  go,  mate?  Shut 
door  efter  you." 

"Hold  the  dog,  Cob,"  said  Uncle  Jack.  "Bob,  you 
take  the  lantern  and  open  the  door  and  the  gate.  Lay 
hold  of  one  side,  Dick,  I'll  take  the  other,  and  we'll 
put  him  out." 

But  the  man  was  wide  awake  now;  and  as  I  darted 
at  Piter  and  got  my  hands  in  his  collar  and  held  him 
back,  the  fellow  made  a  dash  at  something  lying  on 
the  lathe,  and  as  the  lantern  was  changed  from  hand 
to  hand  I  caught  siffht  of  the  barrel  of  an  old  horse- 
pistol. 

"Take  care!"  I  shouted,  as  I  dragged  Piter  back. 
"Pistol." 

"Yes,  pistol,  do  yer  hear?"  roared  the  fellow  starting 
up.  "Pistol!  and  I'll  shute  the  first  as  comes  anigh 
me." 

There  was  a  click  here,  and  all  was  in  darkness,  for 
Uncle  Bob  turned  the  shade  of  the  lantern  and  hid  it 
within  his  coat. 

"  Put  that  pistol  down,  my  man,  and  no  harm  shall 
come  to  you;  but  you  must  get  out  of  this  place 
directly." 

"What!  Get  out!  Yes,  out  you  go,  whoever  you 
are,"  roared  the  fellow.  "I  can  see  you,  and  I'll  bring 
down  the  first  as  stirs.  This  here's  a  good  owd  pistol, 
and  she  hits  hard.    Now  then  open  that  light  and  let's 


A   DANGEROUS   AFFAIR.  79 

see  you  go  down.  This  here's  my  place  and  my  mates', 
and  we  don't  want  none  else  here.     Now  then." 

I  was  struggling  in  the  dark  with  Piter,  and  only 
held  him  back,  there  was  such  strength  in  Ids  small 
body,  by  lifting  him  by  his  collar  and  holding  him 
against  me  standinij  on  his  hind  lefrs. 

But,  engaged  as  I  was,  I  had  an  excited  ear  for  what 
was  going  on,  and  I  trembled,  as  I  expected  to  see  the 
flash  of  the  pistol  and  feel  its  bullet  strike  me  or  the 
dog. 

As  the  man  uttered  his  threats  I  heard  a  sharp 
whispering  and  a  quick  movement  or  two  in  the  dark, 
and  then  all  at  once  I  saw  the  light  open,  and  after 
a  flash  here  and  there  shine  full  upon  the  fellow,  who 
immediately  turned  the  pistol  on  the  holder  of  the 
lantern. 

"Now  then,"  he  cried,  "yer  give  in,  don't  yer?  Yes 
or  no  'fore  I  fires.     Yah!" 

He  turned  sharply  round  in  my  direction  as  I  strug- 
gled with  Piter,  whom  the  sight  of  the  black-looking 
rufiian  had  made  furious. 

But  the  man  had  not  turned  upon  me. 

He  had  caught  sight  of  Uncle  Jack  springing  at  him, 
the  liffht  showincj  him  as  he  advanced. 

There  was  a  flash,  a  loud  report,  and  almost  pre- 
ceeding  it,  if  not  quite,  the  sound  of  a  sharp  rap  given 
with  a  stick  upon  flesh  and  bone. 

The  next  instant  there  was  a  hoarse  yell  and  the 
noise  made  by  the  pistol  falling  upon  the  floor. 

"  Hurt,  Jack?"  cried  Uncle  Dick,  as  my  heart  seemed 
to  stand  still. 

"  Scratched,  that's  all,"  was  the  reply.  Here,  come 
and  tie  this  wild  beast's  hands.  I  think  I  can  hold 
him  now." 


80  LIKE   FIGHTING   A   BULL. 

It  almost  sounded  like  a  rash  assertion,  as  the  light 
played  upon  the  desperate  struggle  that  was  going  on. 
I  could  see  Uncle  Jack  and  the  man,  now  down,  now 
up,  and  at  last,  after  wrestling  here  and  there,  the  man, 
in  spite  of  Uncle  Jack's  great  strength,  seeming  to  have 
the  mastery.  There  was  a  loud  panting  and  a  crushing 
fall,  both  going  down,  and  Uncle  Jack  rising  up  to 
kneel  upon  his  adversary's  chest. 

"Like  lighting  a  bull,"  panted  Uncle  Jack.  "What 
arms  the  fellow  has !     Got  the  rope  ? " 

"  Yes,"  said  Uncle  Dick,  rattling  the  things  in  the 
bag.     "  Can  you  turn  him  over  ? " 

No  sooner  said  than  done.  The  man  heard  the 
order,  and  prepared  to  resist  being  turned  on  one  side. 
Uncle  Jack  noted  this  and  attacked  the  other  side  so 
quickly  that  the  man  was  over  upon  his  face  before  he 
could  change  his  tactics. 

"Keep  that  dog  back.  Cob,  or  he'll  eat  him,"  said 
Uncle  Bob,  making  the  lantern  play  on  the  prostrate 
man,  whose  arms  were  dexterously  dragged  behind 
him  and  tightly  tied. 

"There,"  said  Uncle  Jack,  "Now  you  can  get  up 
and  go.     Ah,  would  you,  coward!" 

This  was  in  answer  to  a  furious  kick  the  fellow 
tried  to  deliver  as  soon  as  he  had  regained  his  feet. 

"  If  he  attempts  to  kick  again  loose  the  dog  at  him, 
Cob,"  cried  Uncle  Dick  sharply. 

Then  in  an  undertone  to  me: 

"No:  don't!     But  let  him  think  you  will." 

"You'll  hev  it  for  this,"  cried  the  man  furiously. 

"Right,"  said  Uncle  Jack.  "Now,  then,  have  you 
anything  here  belonging  to  you?  No!  Down  you 
come  then." 

He  collared  his  prisoner,  who  turned  to  kick  at  him; 


TURNED   OUT.  81 

but  a  savage  snarl  from  Piter,  as  I  half  let  him  go, 
checked  the  fellow,  and  he  suffered  himself  to  be 
marched  to  the  door,  where  he  stopped. 

"Ma  beer,"  he  growled,  looking  back  at  the  stone 
bottle. 

"Beer!  No,  you've  had  enough  of  that,"  said  Uncle 
Dick.     "Go  on  down." 

The  man  walked  quietly  down  the  stairs;  but  when 
he  found  that  he  was  to  be  thrust  out  into  the  lane  he 
began  to  struggle  again,  and  shout,  but  a  fierce  hand 
at  his  throat  stopped  that  and  he  was  led  down  to  the 
gate  in  the  wall,  where  it  became  my  task  now  to  hold 
the  lantern  while  Uncles  Dick  and  Bob  grasped  our 
prisoner's  arms  and  left  Uncle  Jack  free  to  untie  the 
cord. 

"  Be  ready  to  unlock  the  gate.  Cob,"  whispered  Uncle 
Jack,  as  he  held  his  prisoner  by  one  twist  of  the  rope 
round  his  arms  like  a  leash.  "Now,  then,  ready!  Back, 
dog,  back!" 

Piter  shrank  away,  and  then  at  a  concerted  moment 
the  gate  was  thrown  open,  the  three  brothers  loosed 
their  hold  of  the  prisoner  at  the  same  moment,  and 
just  as  he  was  turning  to  try  and  re-enter,  a  sharp 
thrust  of  the  foot  sent  him  flying  forward,  the  gate 
was  banged  to,  and  locked,  and  we  were  congratulating 
ourselves  upon  having  ridded  ourselves  of  an  ugly 
customer,  when  the  gate  shook  from  the  eft'ect  of  a 
tremendous  blow  that  sounded  as  if  it  had  been  dealt 
with  a  paving-stone. 


(322)  F 


CHAPTER   VII 


A  USEFUL  ALLY. 


I AKE  no  notice,"  said  Uncle  Dick. 

We  listened,  and  I  laughed  as  I  heard  the 
rattling  noise  made  by  a  key  as  if  our 
friend  was  trying  to  get  in,  after  which 
he  seemed  to  realize  what  had  been  done,  and  went 
away  grumbling  fiercely. 

"  Now  for  a  quiet  look  round  upstairs,"  said  Uncle 
Dick;  and  all  being  quiet  and  we  in  possession  we 
turned  in  at  the  dark  door  to  inspect  our  fort. 

There  was  something  creepy  and  yet  thoroughly 
attractive  in  the  business.  The  place  looked  dark  and 
romantic  in  the  gloom ;  there  was  a  spice  of  danger  in 
the  work,  and  the  excitement  made  my  blood  seem  to 
dance  in  my  veins. 

"Hallo!"  I  cried,  as  we  were  entering  the  door; 
"  there's  something  wrong,"  for  I  heard  a  rustling  noise 
and  a  dull  thud  as  if  someone  had  jumped  down  from 
a  little  height. 

At  the  same  moment  we  found  out  how  useful  Piter 
was  ffoinjx  to  be,  for  he  started  off  with  a  furious  rush, 
barking  tremendously,  and  as  we  followed  him  to  the 
end  of  the  yard  we  were  in  time  for  a  scuffle,  a  savage 
burst  of  expressions,  and  then  my  heart,  which  had 


IN   THE  DAM.  83 

been  throbbing  furiously,  seemed  to  stand  still,  for 
there  was  a  howl,  a  tremendous  splash,  then  silence. 

"Quick,  boys!"  cried  Uncle  Jack.  "Here,  join 
hands.  I'll  go  in  and  fetch  him  out.  Take  the  light, 
Cob." 

I  gladly  seized  the  lantern  and  made  the  light  play 
on  the  surface  of  the  water  where  it  was  disturbed, 
and  as  I  did  so  Piter  came  up  from  the  edge  whining 
softly  and  twitching  his  little  stump  of  a  tail. 

Then  a  head  and  shoulders  appeared,  and  the  surface 
of  the  dam  was  beaten  tremendously,  but  so  close  to  the 
edge  that  by  standing  on  the  stonework  and  holding 
by  Uncle  Bob's  hand  Uncle  Jack  was  able  to  stretch 
out  his  stick  to  the  struggling  man,  to  have  it  clutched 
directly,  and  the  fellow  was  drawn  ashore. 

He  gave  himself  a  shake  like  a  dog  as  soon  as  he 
was  on  dry  land,  and  stood  for  a  moment  or  two  growl- 
ing and  using  ugly  language  that  seemed  to  agree  with 
his  mouth. 

Then  he  turned  upon  us. 

"Aw  right!"  he  said,  "I'll  pay  thee  for  this.  Set 
the  dawg  on  me,  you  did,  and  then  pitched  me  into  the 
watter.     Aw  reight!     I'll  pay  thee  for  this." 

"  Open  the  gate.  Bob,"  said  Uncle  Jack,  who  now 
took  the  fellow  by  the  collar  and  thrust  him  forward 
while  I  held  the  light  as  the  man  went  on  threatening 
and  tellino-  us  what  he  meant  to  do. 

But  the  cold  water  had  pretty  well  quenched  his 
fierce  anger,  and  though  he  threatened  a  great  deal  he 
did  not  attempt  to  do  anything  till  he  was  by  the  gate, 
where  a  buzz  of  voices  outside  seemed  to  inspirit 
him. 

"Hey,  lads!"  he  cried;  "in  wi'  you  when  gate's 
opened." 


84  A   TAP   ON    THE   KNUCKLES. 

"  Take  care,"  whispered  Uncle  Dick.  "  Be  ready  to 
bang  the  gate.    We  must  have  him  out.     Here,  Piter." 

The  dog  answered  with  a  bark,  and  then  our  invader 
being  held  ready  the  gate  was  opened  by  me,  and  the 
three  brothers  thrust  the  prisoner  they  were  going  to 
set  at  liberty  half-way  out. 

Only  half-way,  for  he  was  driven  back  by  a  rush  of 
his  companions,  who  had  been  aroused  by  his  shout- 
ing. 

The  stronger  outside  party  would  have  pi-evailed 
no  doubt  had  not  our  four-footed  companion  made  a 
savage  charge  among  the  rough  legs,  with  such  effect 
that  there  was  a  series  of  yells  from  the  front  men, 
who  became  at  once  on  our  side  to  the  extent  of  driv- 
ing their  friends  back;  and  before  they  could  recover 
from  the  surprise  consequent  upon  the  dog's  assault, 
the  gate  was  banged  to  and  locked. 

"  Show  the  light,  and  see  where  that  fellow  came 
over  the  wall,  Cob,"  whispered  Uncle  Dick ;  and  I  made 
the  light  play  along  the  top,  expecting  to  see  a  head 
every  moment.  But  instead  of  a  head  a  pair  of  hands 
appeared  over  the  coping-stones — a  pair  of  great  black 
hands,  whose  nails  showed  thick  and  stubby  in  the 
lantern  light. 

"There,  take  that,"  said  Uncle  Dick,  giving  the 
hands  a  quick  tap  with  his  stick.  "  I  don't  want  to 
hurt  you,  though  I  could." 

]jy  that  he  meant  do  serious  injury,  for  he  certainly 
hurt  tlie  owner  of  the  hands  to  the  extent  of  giving 
pain,  for  there  was  a  savage  yell  and  the  hands  dis- 
appeared. 

Then  there  was  a  loud  scuffling  noise  and  a  fresh 
pair  of  hands  appeared,  but  they  shared  the  fate  of 
the  others  and  went  out  of  sight. 


THE   ATTACK    CONTINUED.  85 

"Nice  place  this,"  said  Uncle  Bob  suddenly.  "Didn't 
take  return  tickets,  did  you?" 

"Return  tickets!  no,"  said  Uncle  Jack  in  a  low 
angry  voice.     "  What!  are  you  tired  of  it  already?" 

"Tired!  Well,  I  don't  know,  but  certainly  this  is 
more  lively  than  Canonbury.  There's  something  cheer- 
ful about  the  place.     Put  up  your  umbrellas,  it  hails." 

I  was  nervous  and  excited,  but  I  could  not  help 
laughing  at  this,  for  Uncle  Bob's  ideas  of  hailstones 
were  peculiar.  The  first  that  fell  was  a  paving-stone 
as  big  as  a  half-quartern  loaf,  and  it  was  followed  by 
quite  a  shower  of  the  round  cobbles  or  pebbles  nearly 
the  size  of  a  fist  that  are  used  so  much  in  some  coun- 
try places  for  paths. 

Fortunately  no  one  was  hit,  while  this  bombardment 
was  succeeded  by  another  assault  or  attempt  to  carry 
the  place  by  what  soldiers  call  a  coup  de  main. 

But  this  failed,  for  the  hands  that  were  to  deal  the 
coujp  received  such  ugly  taps  from  sticks  as  they  ap- 
peared on  the  top  of  the  wall  that  their  owners  dropped 
back  and  began  throwing  over  stones  and  angry  words 
again. 

Only  one  of  our  assailants  seemed  to  have  the  cour- 
age to  persevere,  and  this  proved  to  be  our  old  friend. 
For  as  I  directed  the  light  along  the  top  of  the  wall 
a  pair  of  hands  appeared  accom^ianied  by  the  usual 
scufilino-. 

Uncle  Dick  only  tapped  them,  but  possibly  not  hard 
enough,  for  the  arms  followed  the  hands,  then  ap- 
peared the  head  and  fierce  eyes  of  the  man  we  had 
found  asleep, 

"  Coom  on,  lads;  we've  got  un  now,"  he  shouted,  and 
in  another  minute  he  w^ould  have  been  over;  but  Uncle 
Dick  felt  it  was  time  for  stronger  measures  than  tap- 


86  AN    ASSAULT. 

ping  hands,  and  he  let  his  stick  come  down  with  such 
a  sharp  rap  on  the  great  coarse  head  tliat  it  disappeared 
directly,  and  a  yelling  chorus  was  succeeded  by  another 
shower  of  stones. 

We  went  into  shelter  in  the  doorway,  with  Piter 
playing  the  part  of  sentry  in  front,  the  dog  walking 
up  and  down  looking  at  the  top  of  the  wall  growling 
as  he  went,  and  now  and  then  opening  and  shutting 
his  teeth  with  a  loud  snap  like  a  trap. 

On  the  other  side  of  the  wall  we  could  hear  the 
talking  of  the  men,  quite  a  little  crowd  having  appa- 
rently assembled,  and  being  harangued  by  one  of  their 
party. 

"So  it  makes  you  think  of  Canonbury,  does  it. 
Bob?"  said  Uncle  Jack. 

"Well,  yes,"  said  my  uncle. 

"  It  makes  me  feel  angry,"  said  Uncle  Jack,  "  and  as 
if  the  more  these  scoundrels  are  obstinate  and  interfere 
with  me,  the  more  determined  I  shall  grow." 

"We  must  call  in  the  help  of  the  police,"  said  Uncle 
Dick. 

"And  they  will  be  watched  away,"  said  Uncle  Jack. 
"  No,  we  must  depend  upon  ourselves,  and  I  dare  say 
we  can  win.     What's  that?" 

I  listened,  and  said  tliat  I  did  not  hear  anything. 

"  I  did,"  said  Uncle  Jack.  "  It  was  the  tap  made  by 
a  ladder  that  has  been  reared  against  a  house." 

I  made  the  light  play  against  the  top  of  the  wall 
and  along  it  from  end  to  end. 

Then  Uncle  Jack  took  it  and  examined  the  top,  but 
nothing  was  visible,  and  saying  it  was  fancy  he  handed 
the  lantern  to  me,  when  all  at  once  there  was  a  double 
thud  as  of  two  people  leaping  down  from  the  wall; 
and  as  I  turned  the  light  in  the  direction  from  which 


■Ji 

-J 


■^ 


< 

■■A 
< 

s 

•—I 

HI! 


PITER   CHARGES.  87 

the  sounds  came  there  was  our  squinting  enemy,  and 
directly  behind  him  a  great  rough  fellow,  both  armed 
with  sticks  and  charging  down  upon  us  where  we  stood. 

I  heard  my  uncles  draw  a  long  breath  as  if  pre- 
paring for  the  fight.  Then  they  let  their  sticks  fall  to 
their  sides,  and  a  simultaneous  roar  of  laughter  burst 
forth. 

It  did  not  take  a  minute,  and  the  various  little 
changes  followed  each  other  so  quickly  that  I  was 
confused  and  puzzled. 

One  moment  I  felt  a  curious  shrinkingf  as  I  saw  the 
faces  of  two  savao^e  men  rushino-  at  us  to  drive  us  out 
of  the  place;  the  next  I  was  looking  at  their  backs  as 
they  ran  along  the  yard. 

For  no  sooner  did  Piter  see  them  than  he  made  a 
dash  at  their  legs,  growling  like  some  fierce  wild  beast, 
and  showing  his  teeth  to  such  good  effect  that  the  men 
ran  from  him  blindly  yelling  one  to  the  other;  and 
the  next  thing  I  heard  was  a  couple  of  splashes  in  the 
dam. 

"Why,  they're  trying  to  swim  across,"  cried  Uncle 
Dick;  and  we  at  once  ran  to  the  end  of  the  yard  to 
where  it  was  bounded  by  the  stone-bordered  dam. 

"Show  the  light.  Cob,"  cried  Uncle  Jack;  and  as  I 
made  it  play  upon  the  water  there  was  one  man  swim- 
ming steadily  for  the  other  side,  with  Piter  standing  at 
the  edge  baying  him  furiously,  but  the  other  man  was 
not  visible. 

Then  the  surface  of  the  water  was  disturbed  and  a 
hand  appeared,  then  another,  to  begin  beating  and 
splashing. 

"Why,  the  fellow  can't  swim,"  cried  Uncle  Jack; 
and  catching  his  brother's  hand  he  reached  out,  holding 
his  stick  ready  for  the  man  to  grasp. 


88  SAVING    AN    ENEMY. 

It  was  an  exciting  scene  in  the  darkness,  with  the 
ring  of  light  cast  by  the  lantern  playing  upon  the  dark 
surface  of  the  water,  which  seemed  to  be  black  rippled 
with  gold;  and  there  in  the  midst  was  the  distorted 
face  of  the  workman,  as  he  yelled  for  help  and  seemed 
in  imminent  danger  of  drowning. 

He  made  two  or  three  snatches  at  the  stick,  but 
missed  it,  and  his  struggles  took  him  farther  from  the 
edge  into  the  deep  water  close  by,  where  the  wall  that 
supported  the  great  wheel  was  at  right  angles  to  where 
we  stood. 

It  was  a  terribly  dangerous  and  slippery  place,  but 
Uncle  Jack  did  not  hesitate.  Walking  along  a  slippery 
iedge  that  was  lapped  by  the  water,  he  managed  to 
reach  the  drowning  man,  holding  to  him  his  stick;  and 
then  as  the  fellow  clutched  it  tightly  he  managed  to 
guide  him  towards  the  edge,  where  Uncle  Dick  knelt 
down,  and  at  last  caught  him  by  the  collar  and  drew 
him  out,  dripping  and  half  insensible. 

"Down,  dog!"  cried  Uncle  Dick  as  Piter  made  a 
dash  at  his  enemy,  who  now  lay  perfectly  motion- 
less. 

Piter  growled  a  remonstrance  and  drew  back  slowly, 
but  as  he  reached  the  man's  feet  he  made  a  sudden 
dart  down  and  gave  one  of  his  ankles  a  pinch  with  his 
trap-like  jaws. 

The  effect  was  instantaneous.  The  man  jumped  up 
and  shook  his  fist  in  our  faces. 

"Yow'll  get  it  for  this  here,"  he  roared.  "Yow  threw 
me  in  dam  and  then  set  your  dawg  at  me.  Yow'll  hev 
it  for  this.    Yow'll  see.     Yow'll " 

"  Look  here,"  said  Uncle  Bob,  mimicking  the  fellow's 
broad  rough  speech,  "  hadn't  yow  better  go  home  and 
take  off  your  wet  things?" 


REPETITIONS.  89 

"Yow  pitched  me  in  dam  and  set  dawg  at  me,"  cried 
the  fellow  au'ain. 

"  Go  home  and  get  off  your  wet  things  and  go  to 
bed,"  said  Uncle  Jack,  "  and  don't  come  worrying  us 
again — do  you  hear?" 

"Yow  pitched  me  in  dam  and  set  dawg  at  me,"  cried 
the  man  again;  and  from  the  other  side  of  the  pool 
the  man  who  had  swum  across  and  been  joined  by 
some  companions  yelled  out: 

"  Gi'e  it  to  un,  Ghawny — gi'e  it  to  un." 

"Yow  pitched  me  in  dam  and  set  dawg " 

"  Look  here,"  roared  Uncle  Bob,  "  if  you're  not  out 
of  this  place  in  half  a  minute  I  will  pitch  you  in  the 
dam,  and  set  the  dog  at  you  as  well.     Here,  Piter." 

"  Give's  leg  over  the  wall,"  growled  the  man. 

"No.  Go  out  of  the  gate,"  said  Uncle  Jack;  and 
standing  ready  to  avoid  a  rush  we  opened  the  gate  in 
the  wall  and  let  the  fellow  go  free. 

We  got  him  out  and  escaped  a  rush,  for  the  little 
crowd  were  all  up  by  the  side  of  the  dam,  whence  they 
could  see  into  the  yard;  but  as  we  sent  Ghawny,  as  he 
was  called,  out  through  the  gate,  and  he  turned  to 
stand  there,  dripping,  and  ready  to  shake  his  fist  in 
our  faces,  they  came  charging  down. 

Uncle  Bob  banged  the  door  to,  though,  as  our  enemy 
repeated  his  angry  charge: 

"Yow  pitched  me  in  dam  and  set  dawg  at  me." 

Then  the  door  was  closed  and  we  prepared  for  the 
next  attack  from  the  murmuring  crowd  outside. 

But  none  came,  and  the  voices  gradually  grew  fainter 
and  died  away,  while,  taking  it  in  turns,  we  watched 
till  morning  began  to  break  without  any  farther  de- 
monstration on  the  part  of  the  enemy. 

"We're  safe  for  this  time,  boys,"  said  Uncle  Dick. 


90  AT   REST. 

"Now  go  and  have  a  few  hours'  rest.     I'll  call  you 
when  the  men  come." 

We  were  only  too  glad,  and  ten  minutes  later  we 
were  all  asleep  on  some  shavings  and  straw  in  the 
upper  workshop,  while  Uncle  Dick  and  Piter  kept 
guard. 


CHAPTER   VIII. 

ON   GUARD. 

T  seemed  as  if  it  had  all  been  a  dream  when 
I  awoke  and  found  Uncle  Bob  was  shaking 
me. 

"Come,  young  fellow,"  he  cried;  "break- 
fast's ready." 

I  did  not  feel  ready  for  my  breakfast  if  it  was, 
especially  a  breakfast  of  bread  and  meat  with  no  chair, 
no  table,  no  cloth,  no  tea,  coffee,  or  bread  and  butter. 

Such  a  good  example  was  shown  me,  though,  that  I 
took  the  thick  sandwich  offered  to  me,  and  I  was  soon 
forgetting  my  drowsiness  and  eating  heartily. 

We  were  not  interrupted,  and  when  we  had  ended 
our  meal,  went  round  the  place  to  see  what  was  to  be 
done. 

The  first  thing  was  placing  the  property  that  could 
be  claimed  by  the  men  close  by  the  gate  ready  for  them, 
and  when  this  was  done  Piter  and  I  walked  up  and 
down  the  yard  listening  to  the  steps  outside,  and  wait- 
ing to  give  a  signal  if  any  of  the  men  should  come. 

No  men  came,  however,  and  there  was  not  a  single 
call  till  afternoon,  when  a  sharp  rapping  at  the  gate 
was  answered  by  two  of  my  uncles,  and  the  dog,  who 
seemed  puzzled  as  to  the  best  pair  of  legs  to  peer 
between,  deciding  at  last  in  favour  of  Uncle  Bob's. 


92  •  AN   OMINOUS    SILENCK 

To  our  surprise,  when  the  gate  was  opened,  there 
were  no  men  waiting,  but  half  a  dozen  women,  one  of 
whom  announced  that  they  had  came  for  their  masters' 
"traps,"  and  the  said  "traps"  being  handed  to  them, 
they  went  off  without  a  word,  not  even  condescending 
to  say  "  Thank  you." 

"  Come,"  said  Uncle  Bob,  after  the  various  things  had 
been  carried  off,  and  Piter  had  stood  looking  on  twitch- 
insr  his  ears  and  blinking^  at  them,  as  if  he  did  not  war 
with  women,  "  Come,  we've  won  the  game." 

"  Don't  be  too  sure,  my  boy,"  said  Uncle  Dick. 

"  But  they  have  given  up." 

"  Given  up  expecting  to  use  the  works.  But  what 
are  they  going  to  do  in  revenge?" 

"Revenge!" 

"  Yes.  You  may  depend  upon  it  we  are  marked  men, 
and  that  we  shall  have  to  fight  hard  to  hold  our  own." 

As  the  day  went  on — a  day  busily  spent  in  making 
plans  for  the  future  of  our  factory,  we  had  one  or  two 
applications  from  men  who  were  seeking  work,  and  if 
we  had  any  doubt  before  of  how  our  coming  was  to  be 
received,  we  realized  it  in  the  yells  and  hootings  that 
greeted  the  men  who  came  in  a  friendly  spirit. 

Uncle  Dick  went  off  directly  after  breakfast  to  see 
about  the  machinery  waiting  at  the  railway  being 
delivered,  and  it  was  late  in  the  afternoon  before  he 
returned. 

"  One  of  us  will  have  to  stay  always  on  the  premises 
for  the  present,"  he  said,  "so  I  have  ordered  some 
furniture  and  a  carpenter  to  come  and  board  up  and 
make  that  corner  office  comfortable.  We  must  make 
shift." 

The  matter  was  discussed,  and  finally  it  was  settled 
that  two  of  our  party  were  to  be  always  on  the  pre- 


MAKING   A   BEGINNING.  93 

mises,  and  until  we  were  satisfied  that  there  was  no 
more  fear  of  interference, one  was  to  keep  watch  half  the 
night  with  tlie  dog,  and  then  be  reheved  by  the  other. 

"  We  shall  have  to  make  a  man  of  you,  Cob,"  said 
Uncle  Jack.     "  You  must  take  your  turn  with  us." 

"I'm  ready,"  I  replied;  and  very  proud  I  felt  of  being 
trusted. 

Of  course  I  felt  nervous,  but  at  the  same  time  rather 
disappointed,  for  everything  went  on  in  the  most  busi- 
ness like  way.  Carpenters  and  fitters  were  set  to  work, 
and,  helped  by  the  indomitable  perseverance  and  energy 
of  my  uncles,  a  great  deal  of  fresh  machinery  was  soon 
in  position.  New  shafts  and  bands,  a  new  furnace  for 
preparing  our  own  steel  after  a  fashion  invented  by 
Uncle  Dick.  New  grindstones  and  polishing  wheels, 
new  forges  with  tilt  hammers,  and  anvils. 

By  degrees  I  found  what  was  going  to  be  our  chief 
business,  and  that  was  the  production  of  cutlery  of  a 
peculiar  temper  especially  for  surgical  instruments  and 
swords.  Uncle  Dick  having  an  idea  that  he  could 
produce  blades  equal  to  Damascus  or  the  finest  Spanish 
steel. 

The  days  glided  by  with  the  works  growing  more 
complete,  and  each  night  half  our  party  on  guard  at 
Fort  Industry,  as  Uncle  Bob  christened  the  place.  And 
though  the  couple  who  had  slept  at  the  lodgings  went 
down  to  the  place  every  morning  feeling  nervous,  and 
wondering  whether  anything  had  happened  in  the 
night,  it  was  always  to  find  that  all  was  going  on  per- 
fectly smoothly,  and  that  there  was  nothing  to  mind. 

Piter  had  a  kennel  just  inside  the  entry,  and  as  each 
new  hand  was  eno-ao-ed  he  was  introduced  to  the  doer, 
who  inspected  him,  and  never  afterwards  so  much  as 
growled. 


94  AFTER  A  MONTH. 

Uncle  Dick  took  the  lead,  and  under  his  orders  the 
change  rapidly  took  place. 

There  was  one  hindrance,  though,  and  that  occurred 
in  connection  with  the  furnaces,  for  the  chimney-shaft 
needed  some  repair  at  the  top.  This,  however,  proved 
to  be  an  easy  task,  scaffolding  not  being  necessary, 
projecting  bars  answering  the  purjDOse  of  the  rounds 
of  a  ladder  having  been  built  in  when  the  shaft  was 
erected,  with  this  end  in  view. 

At  last  everything  was,  as  Uncle  Dick  called  it,  com- 
plete for  the  present.  There  was  a  good  supply  of  water, 
and  one  morning  the  furnace  was  lit,  so  were  the  forges, 
and  step  by  step  we  progressed  till  there  was  quite  a 
busy  scene,  the  floors  and  rafters  in  the  forge  and  fur- 
nace building  glowing  and  seeming  turned  to  gold; 
while  from  out  of  the  chinniey  there  rose  every 
morning  a  great  volume  of  smoke  that  rolled  out 
and  bent  over,  and  formed  itself  into  vast  feathery 
plumes. 

I  could  hardly  believe  it  true  when  it  was  announced 
that  we  had  been  down  in  Arrowfield  a  month:  but  so 
it  was. 

But  little  had  been  done  beyond  getting  the  machinery 
at  tlie  works  ready  for  work  to  come;  now,  however, 
some  of  the  projects  were  to  be  put  in  action. 

"  For,"  said  Uncle  Dick,  "  if  we  should  go  on  forging 
and  grinding  as  other  manufacturers  do,  we  only  enter 
into  competition  with  them,  and  I  dare  say  we  should 
be  beaten.  We  must  do  something  different  and  better, 
and  that's  why  we  have  come.  To-morrow  I  begin  to 
make  my  new  tempered  steel." 

Uncl(3  Dick  kept  his  word,  and  the  next  morning 
men  were  at  work  arranging  fire-bricks  for  a  little 
furnace  which   was   duly  made,  and   then   so   much 


WEARY   or  WATCHING.  95 

blistered  steel  was  laid  in  a  peculiar  way  with  so  much 
iron,  and  a  certain  heat  was  got  up  and  increased  and 
lowered  several  times  till  Uncle  Dick  was  satisfied. 
He  told  me  that  the  colour  assumed  by  the  metal  was 
the  test  by  which  he  judged  whether  it  was  progressing 
satisfactorily,  and  this  knowledge  could  only  come  by 
experience. 

Everything  was  progressing  most  favourably.  The 
men  who  had  been  engaged  worked  well ;  we  had  seen 
no  more  of  those  who  had  had  to  vacate  the  works, 
and  all  was  as  it  should  be.  In  fact  our  affairs  were 
so  prosperous  that  to  me  it  seemed  great  folly  for  watch 
to  be  kept  in  the  works  night  after  night. 

I  thought  it  the  greatest  nonsense  possible  one  night 
when  I  had  been  very  busy  all  day,  and  it  had  come 
to  my  turn,  and  I  told  Uncle  Jack  so. 

"  Those  fellows  were  a  bit  cross  at  having  to  turn 
out,"  I  said.  "  Of  course  they  were,  and  they  made  a 
fuss.    You  don't  suppose  they  will  come  again?" 

"  I  don't  know,  Cob,"  said  Uncle  Jack  quietly. 

"But  is  it  likely?"  I  said  pettishly. 

"I  can't  say,  my  boy — who  can?  Strange  things 
have  been  done  down  in  Arrowfield  by  foolish  work- 
men before  now." 

"Oh,  yes!"  I  said;  "but  that's  in  the  past.  It  isn't 
likely  that  they  will  come  and  annoy  us.  Besides, 
there's  Piter.     He'd  soon  startle  any  one  away." 

"  You  think  then  that  there  is  no  occasion  for  us  to 
watch.  Cob?" 

"Yes,"  I  cried  eagerly,  "that's  just  what  I  think. 
We  can  go  to  bed  and  leave  Piter  to  keep  guard.  He 
would  soon  oive  the  alarm." 

"  Then  you  had  better  go  to  bed,  Cob,"  said  Uncle 
Jack  quietly. 


96  I  RETRACT. 

''  And  of  course  you  won't  get  up  when  it  comes  to 
your  turn." 

"No,"  he  said;  "certainly  not." 
*  That's  right,"  I  cried  triumphantly.     "  I  am  glad 
we  have  got  over  this  scare." 

"Are  you?"  he  said  dryly. 

"Am  I,  Uncle  Jack!  Why,  of  course  I  am.  All  is 
locked  up.  I'll  go  and  unchain  Piter,  and  then  we'll 
go  and  get  a  good  night's  rest." 

"Yes,"  he  said;  "you  may  as  well  unchain  Piter." 

I  ran  and  set  the  dog  at  liberty,  and  he  started  off 
to  make  the  circuit  of  the  place,  while  I  went  back  to 
Uncle  Jack,  who  was  lighting  the  bull's-eye  lantern 
that  we  always  used  when  on  guard. 

"  Why,  uncle,"  I  said  wonderingly;  "  we  sha'n't  want 
that  to-night." 

"  I  shall,"  he  said.     "  Good  night ! " 

"  No,  no,"  I  cried.     "  We  arranged  to  go  to  bed." 

"  You  arranged  to  go  to  bed.  Cob,  but  I  did  not. 
You  don't  suppose  I  could  behave  so  unfairly  to  my 
brothers  as  to  neglect  the  task  they  placed  in  my 
hands." 

He  did  not  say  any  more.  It  was  quite  sufficient. 
I  felt  the  rebuff,  and  was  thoroughly  awake  now  and 
ashamed  of  what  I  had  proposed. 

Without  a  word  I  took  the  lantern  and  held  out  my 
hand. 

"Good  night,  Uncle  Jack!"  I  said. 

He  had  seemed  cold  and  stern  just  before.  Now  he 
was  his  quiet  old  self  again,  and  he  took  my  hand, 
nodded,  and  said: 

"  Two  o'clock,  Cob.     Goodnight!" 

I  saw  him  go  along  the  great  workshop,  enter  the  office 
and  close  the  door,  and  then  I  started  on  my  rounds. 


PLAYING   POLICEMAN.  97 

It  was  anything  but  a  cheerful  task,  that  keeping 
watch  over  the  works  during  the  ni^'ht,  and  I  liked  the 
first  watch  from  ten  to  two  less  than  the  second  watch 
from  two  to  six,  for  in  the  latter  you  had  the  day  break- 
ing about  four  o'clock,  and  then  it  was  light  until 
six. 

For,  however  much  one  mis^ht  tell  oneself  that  there 
was  no  danger — no  likelihood  of  anything  happening, 
the  darkness  in  places,  the  faint  glow  from  partly  ex- 
tinct fires,  and  the  curious  shadows  cast  on  the  white- 
washed walls  were  all  disposed  to  be  startling;  and, 
well  as  I  knew  the  place,  I  often  found  myself  shrink- 
ing as  I  came  suddenly  upon  some  piece  of  machinery 
that  assumed  in  the  darkness  the  aspect  of  some  hor- 
rible monster  about  to  seize  me  as  I  went  my  rounds. 

Upon  the  other  hand,  there  was  a  pleasant  feeling  of 
importance  in  going  about  that  great  dark  place  of  a 
night,  with  a  lantern  at  my  belt,  a  stout  stick  in  my 
hand,  and  a  bull-dog  at  my  heels,  and  this  sensation 
helped  to  make  the  work  more  bearable. 

On  this  particular  night  I  had  paced  silently  all 
about  the  place  several  times,  thinking  a  good  deal 
about  my  little  encounter  with  Uncle  Jack,  and  about 
the  last  letters  I  had  had  from  my  father.  Then,  as 
all  seemed  perfectly  right,  I  had  seated  mj-self  by  the 
big  furnace,  which  emitted  a  dull  red  glow,  not  suffi- 
cient to  light  the  place, but  enough  to  make  it  pleasantly 
warm,  and  to  show  that  if  a  blast  were  directed  in  the 
coals,  a  fierce  fire  would  soon  be  kindled. 

I  did  not  feel  at  all  sleepy  now;  in  fact,  in  spite  of 
the  warmth  this  furnace-house  would  not  have  been  a 
pleasant  place  to  sleep  in,  for  the  windows  on  either 
side  were  open,  having  no  glass,  only  iron  bars,  and 
those  on  one  side  looked  over  the  dam,  while  the  others 

(322)  G 


98  I   GROW   DROWSY. 

were  in  the  wall  that  abutted  on  the  lane  leading  down 
to  the  little  river. 

Piter  had  been  with  me  all  through  my  walk  round, 
but,  seeing  me  settle  down,  he  had  leaped  on  to  the  hot 
ashes  and  proceeded  to  curl  hiinselt"  up  in  a  nice  warm 
place,  where  the  probabilities  were  that  he  would  soon 
begin  to  cook. 

Piter  had  been  corrected  for  this  half  a  dozen  times 
over,  but  he  had  to  be  bullied  again,  and  leaping  off  the 
hot  ashes  he  had  lowered  his  tail  and  trotted  back  to 
his  keimel,  where  he  curled  himself  up. 

All  was  very  still  as  I  sat  there,  except  that  the 
boom  and  throb  of  the  busy  town  where  the  furnaces 
and  steam-engines  were  at  work  kept  going  and  com- 
ing in  waves  of  sound;  and  as  I  sat,  I  found  myself 
thinking  about  the  beauty  of  the  steel  that  my  uncles 
had  set  themselves  to  produce;  and  how,  when  a  piece 
was  snapped  across,  breaking  like  a  bit  of  glass,  the 
fracture  looked  all  of  a  silvery  bluish-gray. 

Then  I  began  thinking  about  our  tall  chimney,  and 
what  an  unpleasant  place  mine  would  be  to  sit  in  if 
there  were  a  furious  storm,  and  the  shaft  were  blown 
down;  and  then,  with  all  the  intention  to  be  watchful, 
I  began  to  grow  drowsy,  and  jumping  up,  walked  up 
and  down  the  furnace-house  and  round  the  smoulder- 
ing fire,  whose  chimney  was  a  great  inverted  funnel 
depending  from  the  open  roof. 

I  grew  tired  of  walking  about  and  sat  down  again, 
to  begin  thinking  once  more. 

How  far  is  it  from  thinking  to  sleeping  and  dream- 
ing?   Who  can  answer  that  question? 

To  me  it  seemed  that  I  was  sitting  thinking,  and 
that  as  I  thought  there  in  the  darkness,  where  I  could 
see  the  fire  throwing  up  its  feeble  glow  on  to  the  dim- 


PITER  WAGS   HIS   TAIL.  99 

looking  open  windows  on  either  side,  some  great  animal 
came  softly  in  through  the  window  on  my  left,  and 
then  disappeared  for  a  few  moments,  to  appear  again 
on  my  right  where  the  wall  overlooked  the  lane. 

That  window  seemed  to  be  darkened  for  a  minute 
or  two,  and  then  became  light  again,  while  once  more 
that  on  my  left  grew  dark,  and  I  saw  the  figure  glide  out. 

I  seemed,  as  I  say,  to  have  been  thinking,  and  as  I 
thought  it  all  appeared  to  be  a  dream,  for  it  would  have 
been  impossible  for  any  one  to  have  crept  in  at  one 
window,  passing  the  furnace  and  back  again  without 
disturbing  me. 

Yes ;  I  told  myself  it  was  all  fancy,  and  as  I  thought 
I  told  myself  that  I  started  awake,  and  looked  sharply 
at  first  one  window,  and  then  at  the  other,  half  expect- 
ing to  see  someone  there. 

"I  was  asleep  and  dreaming,"  I  said  to  myself;  and, 
starting  up  impatiently,  I  walked  right  out  of  the 
furnace-house  across  the  strip  of  yard,  and  in  at  the 
door,  making  Piter  give  his  stumpy  tail  a  sharp  rap- 
ping noise  upon  the  floor  of  his  kennel. 

I  went  on  all  through  the  grinding  workshop,  and 
listened  at  the  end  of  the  place  to  the  water  trickling 
and  dripping  down  in  the  great  water-floored  cellar. 

That  place  had  an  attraction  for  me,  and  I  stood 
listening  for  some  minutes  before  walking  back, 
thoroughly  awake  now. 

I  was  so  used  to  the  place  that  I  had  no  need  to  open 
the  lantern,  but  threaded  my  way  here  and  there 
without  touching  a  thing,  and  I  was  able  to  pass  right 
through  to  the  upper  floor  in  the  same  way. 

Everything  was  correct,  and  Uncle  Jack  sleeping 
soundly,  as  I  hoped  to  be  after  another  hour  or  so's 
watchmu". 


100  A    BAD   WATCHMAN. 

I  would  not  disturb  him,  but  stole  out  again,  and 
along  the  workshop  to  the  head  of  the  stairs,  where  I 
descended  and  stooped  to  pat  Piter  again  before  look- 
ing about  the  yard,  and  then  walking  slowly  into  the 
warm  furnace-house. 

Then,  after  a  glance  at  the  windows  where  I  had 
fancied  I  had  seen  someone  creep  in,  I  sat  down  in  my 
old  place  enjoying  the  warmth,  and  once  more  the 
drowsy  sensation  crept  over  me. 

How  long  it  was  before  I  dropped  asleep  I  can't  tell, 
but,  bad  watchman  that  I  was,  I  did  drop  asleep,  and 
began  dreaming  about  the  great  dam  miles  away  up 
the  valley;  and  there  it  seemed  to  me  I  was  fishing 
with  a  long  line  for  some  of  the  great  pike  that  lurked 
far  down  in  the  depths. 

As  I  fished  my  line  seemed  to  pass  over  a  window- 
sill  and  scraped  against  it,  and  made  a  noise  which  set 
me  wonderinsf  how  larcre  the  fish  must  be  that  was 
running  away  with  it. 

And  then  I  was  awake,  with  the  perspiration  upon 
my  forehead  and  my  hands  damp,  listening. 

It  was  no  fishing-line.  I  was  not  by  the  great  dam 
up  the  river,  but  there  in  our  own  furnace-house,  and 
something  was  making  a  strange  rustling  noise. 

For  some  few  moments  I  could  not  tell  where  the 
noise  was.  There  was  the  rustling,  and  it  seemed 
straight  before  me.  Then  I  knew  it  was  there,  for 
immediately  in  front  on  the  open  fire  something  was 
moving  and  causing  a  series  of  little  flickers  and 
sparkles  in  the  glowing  ashes. 

What  could  it  be?     What  did  it  mean? 

I  was  so  startled  that  I  was  ready  to  leap  up  and 
run  out  of  the  place,  and  it  was  some  time  before  I 
could  summon  up  courage  enough  to  stretch  out  a  hand. 


FRESH   DANGER.  101 

and  try  to  touch  whatever  it  was  that  moved  the 
glowing  ashes. 

Wire! 

Yes;  there  was  no  doubt  of  it — wire.  A  long  thin 
wire  stretched  pretty  tightly  reached  right  across  me, 
and  evidently  passed  from  the  window  overlooking  the 
lane  across  the  furnace  and  out  of  the  window  by  the 
side  of  the  dam. 

What  did  it  mean — what  was  going  to  happen? 

I  asked  myself  these  questions  as  I  bent  towards 
the  furnace,  touching  the  wire  which  glided  on  through 
my  hand  towards  the  window  by  the  dam. 

It  was  all  a  matter  of  moments,  and  I  could  feel 
that  someone  must  be  drawing  the  wire  out  there  by 
the  dam,  though  how  I  could  not  tell,  for  it  seemed  to 
me  that  there  was  nothing  but  deep  water  there. 

"Some  one  must  have  floated  down  the  dam  in  a 
I  )oat,"  I  thought  in  a  flash ;  but  no  explanation  came  to 
the  next  part  of  my  question,  what  was  it  for? 

As  I  bent  forward  there  wondering  what  it  could 
mean,  I  began  to  understand  that  there  must  be  some 
one  out  in  the  lane  at  the  other  end  of  the  wire,  and 
in  proof  of  this  surmise  I  heard  a  low  scraping  noise 
at  the  window  on  my  right,  and  then  a  hiss  as  if  some- 
one had  drawn  his  breath  in  between  his  lips. 

What  could  it  mean? 

I  was  one  moment  for  shouting,  "Who's  there?" 
the  next  for  turning  on  my  bull's-eye;  and  again  the 
next  for  running  and  rousing  up  Uncle  Jack. 

Then  I  thought  that  I  would  shout  and  call  to  Piter; 
but  I  felt  that  if  I  did  either  of  these  things  I  should 
lose  the  clue  that  was  gliding  through  my  hands. 

What  could  it  mean? 

The  wire,  invisible  to  me,  kept  softly  stirring  the 


102  THAT    SOFT   CORD. 

glowincf  ashes,  and  seemed  to  be  visible  there.  Else- 
where  it  was  lost  in  the  black  darkness  about  me,  but 
I  felt  it  plainly  enough,  and  in  my  intense  excitement, 
hundreds  of  yards  seemed  to  have  passed  through  my 
hand  before  I  felt  a  check  and  in  a  flash  knew  what 
was  intended. 

For,  all  at  once,  as  the  wire  glided  on,  something 
struck  against  my  hand  gently,  and  raising  the  other 
it  came  in  contact  with  a  large  canister  wrapped  round 
and  round  with  stout  soft  cord. 

What  for? 

I  knew  in  an  instant;  I  had  read  of  such  outrages, 
and  it  was  to  guard  against  them  that  we  watched, 
and  kept  that  dog. 

I  had  hold  of  a  large  canister  of  gunpowder,  and  the 
soft  cord  wrapped  around  it  was  prepared  fuse. 

I  comprehended  too  the  horrible  ingenuity  of  the 
scheme,  which  was  to  draw,  by  means  of  the  wire,  the 
canister  of  gunpowder  on  to  the  furnace,  so  that  the 
fuse  might  catch  fire,  and  that  would  give  the  mis- 
creants who  were  engaged  time  to  escape  before  the 
powder  was  fired  and  brought  the  chimney-shaft  top- 
pling down. 

For  a  moment  I  trembled  and  felt  ready  to  drop  the 
canister,  and  run  for  my  life. 

Then  I  felt  strong,  for  I  knew  that  if  I  kept  the 
canister  in  my  hands  the  fuse  could  not  touch  the 
smouldering  ashes  and  the  plan  would  fail. 

But  how  to  do  this  without  being  heard  by  the  men 
who  must  be  on  either  side  of  the  furnace-house. 

It  was  easy  enough;  I  had  but  to  hold  the  canister 
high  up  above  the  fire,  and  pass  it  over  till  it  was  be- 
yond the  burning  ashes  and  then  let  it  continue  its 
course  to  the  other  window. 


SOUNDING   THE   ALARM.  103 

It  was  a  great  risk,  not  of  explosion,  but  of  being 
heard;  but  ■with  a  curious  feeling  of  reckless  excite- 
ment upon  me  I  held  up  the  canister,  stepping  softly 
over  the  ash  floor,  and  guidinof  the  terrible  machine  on 
till  the  danger  was  passed. 

Then  stealing  after  it  I  climbed  gently  on  to  the 
broad  bench  beneath  the  clean  window,  and  with  my 
head  just  beneath  it  touched  the  wire,  and  waited  till 
the  canister  touched  my  hand  again. 

I  had  made  no  plans,  but,  urged  on  by  the  spirit  of 
the  moment,  I  seized  the  canister  with  both  hands, 
gave  it  a  tremendous  jerk,  and  with  my  face  at  the 
window  roared  out: 

"Now,  fire!  fire!  shoot 'em  down!" 

I  stood  on  the  work-bench  then,  astounded  at  the 
effect  of  my  cry. 

Behind  me  there  was  a  jerk  at  the  wire,  which  snap- 
ped, and  I  heard  the  rush  of  feet  in  the  lane,  while 
before  me  out  from  the  window  there  came  a  yell,  a 
tremendous  splash,  and  then  the  sound  of  water  being- 
beaten,  and  cries  for  help. 

At  the  same  moment  Piter  came  rushing^  into  the 
furnace  house,  barking  furiously,  and  directly  after 
there  was  the  noise  of  feet  on  the  stairs,  and  Uncle 
Jack  came  in. 

"What  is  it.  Cob?     Where's  your  light?"  he  cried. 

I  had  forgotten  the  lantern,  but  I  turned  it  on  now 
as  I  tucked  the  canister  beneath  my  arm. 

"There's  a  man  or  two  men  drownino-  out  here  in  the 
dam,"  I  panted  hoarsely;  and  Uncle  Jack  leaped  on  to 
the  bench  by  my  side. 

"Give  me  the  lantern,"  he  cried;  and,  taking  it  from 
my  wet  hands,  he  turned  it  on,  held  it  to  the  open 
window,  and  made  it  play  upon  the  surface  of  the  dam. 


104  FUSE   AND   CANISTER. 

"There  are  two  men  there,  swimming  to  the  side," 
he  cried.  "Stop,  you  scoundrels!"  he  roared;  but  the 
beatino-  noise  in  the  water  increased.  One  seemed  to 
get  his  footing  and  held  out  his  hand  to  his  companion 
in  distress.  The  next  minute  I  saw  that  they  had  gained 
the  stone  wall  at  the  side,  over  which  they  clambered, 
and  from  there  we  heard  them  drop  down  on  to  the 
gravel  stones. 

"They're  gone.  Cob,"  said  my  uncle. 

"Shall  we  run  after  them?"  I  said. 

"It  would  be  madness,"  he  replied.  "Down,  Piter! 
quiet,  good  dog!" 

"Now  what's  the  meaning  of  it  all?"  he  said  after 
turning  the  light  round  the  place.  "What  did  you 
hear?     Were  they  getting  in?" 

"No,"  I  said;  "they  were  trying  to  draw  this  canister 
on  to  the  fire  with  the  wire;  but  I  heard  them  and 
got  hold  of  it." 

Uncle  Jack  turned  the  light  of  the  bull's-eye  on  to 
the  canister  I  held,  and  then  turned  it  off  again,  as  if 
there  were  danger  of  its  doing  some  harm  with  the 
light  alone,  even  after  it  had  passed  through  glass. 

"Why,  Cob,"  he  said  huskily,  "did  you  get  hold  of 
that?" 

"Yes,  I  stopped  it,"  I  said,  trembling  now  that  the 
excitement  had  passed. 

"But  was  the  fuse  alicrht?" 

"No,"  I  said;  "they  were  going  to  draw  it  over  the 
fire  there,  only  I  found  it  out  in  time." 

"Why,  Cob,"  he  whispered,  "there's  a  dozen  pounds 
of  powder  here  wrapped  round  with  all  this  fuse.  Come 
with  me  to  put  it  in  a  place  of  safety:  wliy,  it  would 
have  half -wrecked  our  works." 

nVould  it?"  I  said. 


BLIND    SAVAGES.  105 

"Would  it,  boy!  It  would  have  been  destruction, 
perhaps  death.  Cob,"  he  whispered  huskily,  "ought  we 
to  go  on  watching?" 

"Oh,  Uncle  Jack,"  I  said,  "I  suppose  I  am  foolish 
because  I  am  so  young!" 

"Cob,  my  boy,"  he  said  softly;  "if  you  had  been  ten 
times  as  old  you  could  not  have  done  better  than  you 
have  done  to-niglit.  Here,  let's  place  this  dreadful 
canister  in  the  water  chamber:  it  will  be  safer  there." 

"But  the  men;  will  they  come  again?" 

"Not  to-night,  my  lad.  I  think  we  are  safe  for  a  few 
hours  to  come.  But  what  of  the  future,  if  these  blind 
savages  will  do  such  things  as  this?" 


CHAPTER  IX. 


DROWNING   AN    ENEMY. 


DID  not  sleep  that  morning,  but  kept  watch 
with  Uncle  Jack,  and  as  soon  as  the  men  came 
to  work  I  hurried  off  to  Mrs.  Stephenson's 
to  tell  the  others  o£  the  night's  adventures. 

Half  an  hour  later  they  were  with  me  at  the  works, 
where  a  quiet  examination  was  made,  everything  being 
done  so  as  not  to  take  the  attention  of  the  work-people, 
who  were  now  busy. 

We  had  first  of  all  a  good  look  round  outside,  and 
found  that  beneath  the  window  of  the  furnace-house 
there  were  some  half  dozen  great  nails  or  spikes  care- 
fully driven  into  the  wall,  between  the  stones,  so  as  to 
make  quite  a  flight  of  steps  for  an  active  man,  and 
across  the  window  lay  a  tangled -together  length  of 
thin  wire. 

We  did  not  stop  to  draw  out  the  nails  for  fear  of 
excitino;  attention,  but  strolled  back  at  once  into  the 
works. 

And  now  once  for  all,  when  I  say  we,  please  to  under- 
stand that  it  is  not  out  of  conceit,  for  my  share  in  our 
adventures  was  always  very  small,  but  to  avoid  uncling 
you  all  too  much,  and  making  so  many  repetitions  of 
the  names  of  Uncle  Dick,  Uncle  Jack,  and  Uncle  Bob. 

I  saw  several  of  the  men  look  up  from  their  work 
as  we  went  through  the  grinding  shop,  but  they  went 


WHAT   THE   MESSENGER   SAID.  107 

on  again  with  their  task,  making  the  blades  they 
ground  shriek  as  they  pressed  them  against  the  swiftly 
revolving  stones. 

"  They  must  know  all  about  it,  Uncle  Bob,"  I  whis- 
pered, and  he  gave  me  a  meaning  look. 

"Yes,"  he  said  softly;  "that's  the  worst  of  it,  my  lad. 
Master  and  man  ought  to  shake  hands  and  determine 
to  fight  one  for  the  other;  but,  as  you  see,  they  take 
opposite  sides,  and  it  is  war." 

We  went  next  into  the  wheel-pit  and  had  a  look 
round,  after  which  Uncle  Jack  spoke  aloud  to  the  man 
who  acted  as  general  engineer,  and  said  he  thought 
that  the  great  axle  wanted  seeing  to  and  fresh  clean- 
ing. 

The  man  nodded,  and  said  gruffly  that  he  would  see 
to  it,  and  then,  as  he  turned  away,  I  saw  him  wink  at 
one  of  the  men  grinding  at  a  stone  and  thrust  his 
tongue  into  his  cheek. 

Just  then  he  caught  my  eye,  his  countenance  changed, 
and  he  looked  as  foolish  as  a  boy  found  out  in  some 
peccadillo,  but  the  next  instant  he  scowled  at  me,  and 
his  fierce  dark  eyes  said  as  plainly  as  if  they  spoke: 

"  Say  a  word  about  that  and  I'll  half  kill  you." 

I  read  the  threat  aright,  as  will  be  seen;  and,  turning 
to  follow  my  uncles,  1  saw  that  the  man  was  coming 
on  close  behind  me,  with  a  look  in  his  countenance 
wonderfully  like  that  with  which  he  was  being  fol- 
lowed by  Piter,  who,  unobserved,  was  close  at  his  heels, 
sniffing  quietly  at  his  legs  and  looking  as  if  he  would 
like  to  fix  his  teeth  in  one  or  the  other. 

Seeing  this  I  stopped  back,  half  expecting  that  Piter, 
if  left  behind,  might  be  kicked  by  the  man's  heavy 
clogs.  The  others  did  not  notice  my  absence,  but  went 
on  out  of  the  grinding  shop,  and  the  engineer  came 
close  up  to  me,  stooping  down  as  I  waited,  and  putting 
his  face  close  to  mine. 

"  Look  here,  raester,"  he  began  in  a  low  threatening 


108  LATENT   EVENTS. 

tone,  "do  you  know  what's  meant  by  keeping  thy 
tongue  atween  thy  teeth?" 

"Yes,"  I  cried;  and  in  the  same  breath,  "Mind  the 
dog!     Down,  Piter!     Down!" 

The  man  made  a  convulsive  leap  as  he  caught  sight 
of  the  dog,  and  his  intention  was  to  alight  upon  the 
frame-work  of  one  of  the  large  grindstones  close  by 
his  side — one  that  had  just  been  set  in  motion,  but 
though  he  jumped  high  enough  he  did  now  allow  for 
the  lowness  of  the  ceiling,  against  which  he  struck  his 
head,  came  down  in  a  sitting  position  on  the  grind- 
stone, and  was  instantly  hurled  off  to  the  floor. 

This  was  Piter's  opportunity,  and  with  a  low  growl 
and  a  bound  he  was  upon  the  man's  chest.  Another 
moment  and  he  would  have  had  him  by  the  throat, 
but  I  caught  him  by  the  collar  and  dragged  him  off, 
amidst  the  murmur  of  some,  and  the  laughter  of  others 
of  the  men. 

I  did  not  want  to  look  as  if  I  was  afraid,  but  this 
seemed  to  be  a  good  excuse  for  leaving  the  grinding 
shop,  and,  holding  on  by  Piter's  collar,  I  led  him  out. 

Just  before  I  reached  the  door,  though,  I  heard  one 
of  the  men  say  to  his  neighbour — heard  it  plainly  over 
the  whirr  and  churring  of  the  stones: 

"  I've  know'd  dawgs  poisoned  for  less  than  that." 

"  What  shall  I  do?"  I  asked  myself  as  soon  as  I  was 
outside;  but  the  answer  did  not  come.  I  could  only 
think  that  my  uncles  had  trouble  enough  on  their 
hands,  and  that  though  it  was  very  evident  that  the 
men  at  work  for  them  were  not  very  well  affected,  it 
was  not  likely  that  we  had  any  one  who  would  wil- 
fully do  us  an  injury. 

After  all,  too,  nobody  had  threatened  to  poison  the 
dog;  it  was  only  a  remark  about  what  had  been  known 
to  happen. 

All  this  had  taken  but  a  very  short  time,  and  by 
the  time  I  had  joined  my  uncles  they  were  just  entering 


THE   RAFT.  109 

the  office  on  the  upper  floor  that  looked  over  the 
dam. 

There  were  several  men  at  work  here  at  lathes  and 
benches,  and  their  tools  made  so  much  noise  that  they 
did  not  notice  my  entrance,  closely  followed  by  the 
dog;  and  so  it  was  that  I  found  out  that  they,  too, 
must  have  known  all  about  the  cowardly  attempt  of 
the  night,  for  one  said  to  another: 

"Didn't  expect  to  be  at  work  here  this  morning; 
did  you,  mate:'" 

"  No,"  growled  the  man  addressed ;  "  but  why  can't 
they  leave  un  aloan.  They  pay  reg'lar,  and  they're 
civil." 

"  What  do  you  mean?"  said  the  first  speaker  .sharply. 
"  You  going  to  side  wi'  un !  What  do  we  want  wi'  a 
set  o'  inventing  corckneys  here!" 

Just  then  he  cauo-ht  sioht  of  me,  and  swung  round 
and  continued  his  work,  while  I  walked  straight  to 
the  office  door  and  went  in,  where  Uncle  Jack  was 
just  opening  a  window  that  looked  out  upon  the  dam. 

"Yes,"  he  said,  "here  we  are." 

He  pointed  to  a  sort  of  raft  formed  of  a  couple  of 
planks  placed  about  five  feet  apart  and  across  which  a 
dozen  short  pieces  of  wood  had  been  nailed,  forming  a 
buoyant  platform,  on  which  no  doubt  our  enemies  had 
floated  themselves  down  from  the  head  of  the  dam, 
where  there  was  a  timber  yard. 

"All  plain  enough  now,"  said  Uncle  Jack,  grinding 
his  teeth.  "Oh,  if  I  could  have  had  hold  of  those  two 
fellows  by  the  collar  when  they  fell  in ! " 

"Well,"  said  Uncle  Bob,  "what  would  you  have 
done — drowned  them  ? " 

"  Not  quite,"  said  Uncle  Jack ;  "  but  they  would  have 
swallowed  a  great  deal  more  water  than  would  have 
been  good  for  them." 

"Never  mind  about  impossible  threats,"  said  Uncle 
Dick.     "  Let's  examine  the  powder  canister  now." 


110  DANGEROUS   IMPLEMENTS. 

This  was  taken  from  its  resting-place  during  the 
time  the  men  were  at  breakfast  and  carried  into  the 
office,  where  the  dangerous  weapon  of  our  enemies  was 
laid  upon  the  desk  and  examined. 

It  was  a  strong  tin  canister  about  ten  inches  high 
and  six  across,  and  bound  round  and  round,  first  with 
strong  string  and  afterwards  loosely  with  some  soft 
black-looking  cord,  which  Uncle  Dick  said  was  fuse; 
and  he  pointed  out  where  one  end  was  passed  through 
a  little  hole  punched  through  the  bottom  of  the  canister, 
while  the  loosely-twisted  fuse  was  held  on  by  thin 
■wire,  which  allowed  the  soft  connection  with  the 
powder  to  hang  out  in  loops. 

"Yes,"  said  Uncle  Dick;  "if  that  is  good  fuse,  the 
very  fact  of  any  part  touching  a  spark  or  smouldering 
patch  of  ash  would  be  enough  to  set  it  alight,  and 
there  is  enough,  I  should  say,  to  burn  for  a  quarter  of 
an  hour  before  it  reaches  the  powder.  Yes,  a  good 
ten  pounds  of  it,"  he  added,  balancing  the  canister  in 
his  hands. 

"  But  it  may  be  a  scare,"  said  Uncle  Bob :  "  done  to 
frighten  us.     We  don't  know  yet  that  it  is  powder." 

"  Oh,  we'll  soon  prove  that,"  cried  Uncle  Jack, 
taking  out  his  knife. 

"Uncle!  Take  care!"  I  cried  in  agony,  for  I  seemed 
to  see  sparks  tlying  from  his  knife,  and  the  powder 
exploding  and  blowing  us  to  atoms. 

"  If  you  are  afraid,  Cob,  you  had  better  go  back 
home,"  he  said  rather  gruffly,  as  he  cut  the  fuse 
through  and  tore  it  off,  to  lie  in  a  little  heap  as  soon 
as  he  had  freed  it  from  the  wire. 

Then  tlie  string  followed,  and  the  canister  stood  up- 
right before  us  on  the  desk. 

"  Looks  as  harmless  as  if  it  were  full  of  arrow-root 
or  mustard,"  said  Uncle  Bob  coolly.  "Perhaps,  after  all, 
it  is  a  scare." 

I  stood  there  with  my  teeth  closed  tightly,  deter- 


THE   WAY   OUT.  Ill 

mined  not  to  show  fear,  even  if  the  horrible  stuff  did 
blow  up.  For  though  there  was  no  light  in  the  room, 
and  the  matches  were  in  a  cupboard,  I  could  not  get 
out  of  my  head  the  idea  that  the  stuff  rtiigJd  explode, 
and  it  seemed  terrible  to  me  for  such  a  dangerous 
machine  to  be  handled  in  what  appeared  to  be  so  reck- 
less a  way. 

"  Lid  hts  pretty  tight,"  said  Uncle  Jack,  trying  to 
screw  it  off. 

"  Don't  do  that,  old  fellow,"  said  Uncle  Dick.  "  It 
would  be  grinding  some  of  the  dust  round,  and  the 
friction  might  tire  it." 

"  Well,  yes,  it  might,"  replied  Uncle  Jack.  "  Not 
likely  though,  and  I  want  to  examine  the  powder." 

"  That's  easily  done,  my  boy.  Pull  that  bit  of  fuse 
out  of  the  hole,  and  let  some  of  the  powder  trickle 
out." 

"  Bravo !  man  of  genius,"  said  Uncle  Jack ;  and  he 
drew  out  the  plug  of  fuse  that  went  through  the 
bottom  of  the  canister. 

As  he  did  this  over  a  sheet  of  paper  a  quantity  of 
black  grains  like  very  coarse  dry  sand  began  to  trickle 
out  and  run  on  to  the  paper,  forming  quite  a  heap,  and 
as  the  powder  ran  Uncle  Jack  looked  round  at  his 
brother  and  smiled  sadly. 

"Not  done  to  frighten  us,  eh.  Bob!"  he  said.  "If 
that  stuff  had  been  fired  the  furnace-house  and  chim- 
ney would  have  been  levelled." 

"  Why,  Cob,"  said  Uncle  Dick,  laying  his  hand  affec- 
tionately upon  my  shoulder.  "  You  must  be  a  brave 
fellow  to  have  hauled  that  away  from  the  furnace." 

"  I  did  not  feel  very  brave  just  now,"  I  said  bitterly. 
"  When  Uncle  Jack  began  to  handle  that  tin  I  felt  as 
if  I  must  run  away." 

"  But  you  didn't,"  said  Uncle  Bob,  smiling  at  me. 

"  Is  that  gunpowder?"  I  said  hastily,  so  as  to  change 
the  conversation. 


112  BLASTING   POWDER, 

"  No  doubt  of  it,  my  lad,"  said  Uncle  Jack,  scooping 
it  up  in  his  hand,  so  that  it  might  trickle  through  his 
fingers.  "  Strong  blasting  powder.  Shall  I  fire  some 
and  try?" 

"  If  you  like,"  I  said  sulkily,  for  it  was,  I  knew,  said 
to  tease  me. 

"Well,  what's  to  be  done,  boys?"  said  Uncle  Jack. 
"  Are  we  going  to  lay  this  before  the  police  ?  It  is  a 
desperate  business!" 

"  Desperate  enough,  but  w^e  shall  do  no  good,  and 
only  give  ourselves  a  great  deal  of  trouble  if  we  go  to 
the  law.  The  police  might  trace  out  one  of  the  ofi"en- 
ders;  but  if  they  did,  what  then?  It  would  not  stop 
the  attempts  to  harm  us.  No:  I'm  of  opinion  that  our 
safety  lies  in  our  own  watchfulness.  A  more  terrible 
attempt  than  this  could  not  be  made." 

"What  shall  we  do  with  the  powder,  then?"  asked 
Uncle  Bob;  "  save  it  to  hoist  some  of  the  scoundrels 
with  their  own  petard?" 

"  Oh,  of  course  if  you  like,"  said  Uncle  Jack.  "  Fancy 
Bob  trying  to  blow  anybody  up  with  gunpowder!" 

"  When  he  can't  even  do  it  with  his  breath  made 
into  words." 

"Ah!  joke  away,"  said  Uncle  Bob;  "but  I  want  to 
see  you  get  rid  of  that  horrible  stuff." 

"  We  don't  want  to  save  it  then?"  said  Uncle  Jack. 

"No,  no;  get  rid  of  it." 

"  That's  soon  done  then,"  said  Uncle  Jack,  tying  a 
piece  of  the  cord  round  the  canister;  and,  going  to  the 
open  window,  he  lowered  it  down  over  the  deep  water 
in  the  dam,  where  it  sank  like  a  stone,  and  drew  the 
cord  after  it  out  of  sight. 

"  There,"  he  cried,  "  that  will  soon  be  so  soaked  with 
water  that  it  will  be  spoiled." 

"  Who's  that,"  I  said,  "  on  the  other  side  of  the  dam? 
He's  watchinfr  us." 

"  Squintum  the  grinder.     What's  his  name — Griggs. 


AN    EXPERIMENT,  113 

Yes,  I  shouldn't  be  a  bit  surprised  if  that  scoundrel 
had  a  hand — " 

"  Both  hands,"  put  in  Uncle  Bob. 

"  Well,  both  hands  in  this  ugly  business." 

"But  couldn't  you  prove  it  against  him?"  I  said. 

"  No,  my  lad,"  said  Uncle  Jack ;  "  and  I  don't  know 
that  we  want  to.  Wretched  misguided  lumps  of  igno- 
rance.    I  don't  want  to  help  to  transport  the  villains." 

We  had  drawn  back  from  the  window  to  where  there 
was  still  a  little  heap  of  powder  on  the  desk  as  well  as 
the  fuse. 

"Come,  Bob,"  said  Uncle  Jack;  "you  may  not  be 
quite  convinced  yet,  so  I'll  show  you  an  experiment." 

He  took  about  a  teaspoonful  of  the  pow^ler,  and 
placed  it  in  a  sliort  piece  of  iron  pipe  which  he  laid  on 
the  window-sill,  and  then  taking  the  rest  of  the  explo- 
sive, he  gave  it  a  jerk  and  scattered  it  over  the  water. 

Then  taking  about  a  yard  of  the  black  soft  cord 
that  he  said  was  fuse,  he  tucked  one  end  in  the  pipe 
so  that  it  should  rest  upon  the  powder,  laid  the  rest 
along  the  window-sill,  and  asked  me  to  get  the 
matches. 

"  Now,"  he  said,  "  if  that's  what  I  think — cleverly 
made  fuse,  and  good  strong  powder — we  shall  soon  see 
on  a  small  scale  what  it  would  have  done  on  a  larofe. 
Strike  a  match.  Cob." 

I  did  as  I  was  told,  feeling  as  if  I  was  ffoingf  to  let 
on  a  very  interesting  hrework,  and  as  soon  as  the 
splint  was  well  alight  I  was  about  to  hold  the  little 
ilame  to  the  end  of  the  fuse,  but  Uncle  Jack  stopped  me. 

"  No,"  he  said,  "  I  want  to  see  if  a  spark  would  have 
lit  it.  I  mean  I  want  to  see  if  just  drawing  the  canister 
over  the  remains  of  the  furnace-fire  would  have  started 
the  fuse.  That's  it,  now  just  touch  the  end  quickly 
with  the  match." 

There  was  only  a  little  spark  on  the  wood,  and  no 
flame,  as  I  touched  the  side  of  the  fuse. 

(322)  H 


114  THE   PROOF. 

The  cftect  was  instantaneous.  The  soft  black-look- 
ing cord  burst  into  scintillations,  tiny  sparks  flew  off 
on  all  sides,  and  a  dull  fire  began  to  burn  slowly  along 
the  fuse. 

"  Capitally  made,"  said  Uncle  Jack.  "  That  would 
have  given  the  scoundrels  plenty  of  warning  that  the 
work  was  well  done,  and  they  would  have  been  able 
to  get  to  a  distance  before  the  explosion  took  place." 

"  And  now  we  shall  see  whether  the  pow^der  is  good," 
said  Uncle  Dick. 

"  But  how  slowly  it  burns!"  said  Uncle  Bob. 

"  But  how  surely,"  I  had  it  on  my  lips  to  say. 

I  did  not  speak  though,  for  I  was  intently  watching 
the  progress  of  the  sparks  as  they  ran  along  the  fuse 
slowly  and  steadily;  and  as  I  gazed  I  seemed  to  see 
what  would  have  gone  on  in  the  great  dark  building 
if  I  had  not  been  awakened  by  the  scraping  sound  of 
the  canister  being  hauled  over  bench  and  floor. 

I  shuddered  as  I  watched  intently,  for  the  fuse 
seemed  as  if  it  would  never  burn  through,  and  even 
when,  after  what  in  my  excitement  seemed  a  long  space 
of  time,  it  did  reach  the  iron  pii)e,  though  a  few  sparks 
came  from  inside,  the  powder  did  not  explode. 

"Uncle  Bob's  riiilit!"  I  cried  with  an  intense  feeling 
of  relief ;  "  that  was  not  powder,  and  they  only  tried 
to  frighten  us." 

Fujf! 

There  was  a  sharp  flash  from  each  end  of  the  iron 
tube,  and  one  little  ball  of  white  smoke  came  into  the 
office,  while  another  darted  out  into  the  sunny  morning- 
air. 

"  Wrong,  Cob,"  said  Uncle  Jack.  "  Splendidly-made 
fuse  and  tremendously-strong  powder.  We  have  had  a 
very  narrow  escape.     Now,  lads,  what's  to  be  done?" 

"  What  do  you  say.  Jack?"  said  Uncle  Dick. 

"  Do  our  duty — be  always  on  the  watch — fight  it 
out." 


FLUID   STEEL.  115 

"  That's  settled,"  said  Uncle  Dick.  "  Now  let's  get 
to  work  again.  Cob,  you  can  come  and  see  us  cast 
some  steel  ingots  it'  you  like." 

"Cast!"  I  said. 

"  Yes,  cast.     You  know  what  that  is  ? " 

"  Yes,  of  course." 

■'But  you  never  saw  it  liquid  so  that  it  could  be 
poured  out  like  water." 

"  No,"  I  said,  as  I  followed  him,  wondering  whether 
I  had  not  better  tell  him  that  I  had  overheard  a  strange 
remark  about  poisoning  a  dog,  and  ask  if  he  thought 
there  was  any  risk  about  Piter,  who  seemed  to  grow 
much  uglier  every  day,  and  yet  I  liked  him  better. 

The  end  of  it  was  that  I  saw  the  steel  lifted  out  of 
tlie  furnace  in  crucibles  and  poured  forth  like  golden- 
silver  water  into  charcoal  moulds,  but  I  did  not  speak 
about  the  dog. 


CHAPTER   X. 


"'nigh'I.  mate." 


S  it  happened,  Mr.  Tomplin  came  in  that 
ev^enino-  and  when  he  asked  how  matters 
were  progressing  at  the  works,  Uncle  Dick 
looked  round  and  seemed  to  be  asking  his 
brothers  whether  he  should  speak. 

"Ah!  I  see,"  said  Mr.  Tomplin;  "they  have  been  up 
to  some  tricks  with  you." 

"  Tricks  is  a  mild  term,"  said  Uncle  Jack  bitterly. 

"  They  have  not  tried  to  blow  you  up  ? " 

"Indeed  but  they  did!"  said  Uncle  Jack  fiercely; 
"  and  if  it  had  not  been  for  the  coolness  and  bravery 
of  my  nephew  there  the  place  would  have  been  de- 
stroyed." 

"  Tut!  tut!  tut!"  ejaculated  Mr.  Tomplin;  and  putting 
on  his  spectacles  he  stared  at  me  in  the  most  provoking 
way,  making  me  feel  as  if  I  should  like  to  knock  his 
glasses  off. 

"  Is  it  customary  for  your  people  here  to  fire  canisters 
of  gunpowder  in  the  workshops  of  those  who  are  new- 
comers ? " 

"  Sometimes,"  said  Mr.  Tomplin  coolly. 

"  But  such  things  would  destroy  life." 

"  Well,  not  alway.'-  life,  my  dear  sir,"  said  Mr. 
Tomplin,  "  but  very  often  great  bodily  injury  is  done." 

"Very  often?" 


MR.  tompltn's  opinions.  117 

"  "Well,  no,  not  very  often  now,  but  we  have  had  a 
great  many  trade  outrages  in  our  time." 

"  But  what  have  we  done  beyond  taking  possession 
of  a  building  for  which  we  have  paid  a  large  sum  of 
money  ? " 

"It  is  not  what  you  have  done,  my  dear  sirs;  it  is 
what  you  are  about  to  do.  The  workpeople  have  got 
it  into  their  heads  that  you  are  going  to  invent  some 
kind  of  machinery  that  will  throw  them  out  of  work." 

"  Nothing  of  the  kind,  my  dear  sir.  We  are  trying 
to  perfect  an  invention  that  will  bring  a  vast  deal  of 
trade  to  Arrowtield." 

"  But  you  will  not  be  able  to  make  them  believe  that 
till  the  business  comes." 

"And  before  then,  I  suppose,  we  are  to  be  killed?" 

Mr.  Tomplin  looked  very  serious,  and  stared  hard  at 
me,  as  if  it  was  all  my  fault. 

"  My  dear  sirs,"  he  said  at  last,  "  I  hardly  know  how 
to  advise  you.  It  is  a  most  unthankful  task  to  try  and 
invent  anything,  especially  down  here.  People  are  so 
blindly  obstinate  and  wilful  that  they  will  not  listen  to 
reason.  Why  not  go  steadily  on  with  manufacturing 
in  the  regular  way?  What  do  you  say,  my  young- 
friend?"  he  added,  turning  to  me. 

"  Wliy  not  ask  the  world  to  stand  still,  sir?"  I  ex- 
claimed impetuously.     "I  say  it's  a  shame!" 

He  looked  very  hard  at  me,  and  then  pursed  up  his 
lips,  while  I  felt  that  I  had  been  speaking  very  rudely 
to  him,  and  could  only  apologize  to  myself  by  thinking 
that  irritation  was  allowable,  for  only  last  night  we 
liad  been  nearly  blown  up. 

"  Would  you  put  the  matter  in  the  hands  of  the 
police?"  said  Uncle  Dick. 

"  Well,  you  might,"  said  Mr.  Tomplin. 

"  But  you  would  not,"  said  Uncle  Bob. 

"  No,  I  don't  think  I  should,  if  it  were  my  case.  I 
should  commence  an  action  for  damages  if  I  could  find 


118  A   QUESTION    OF   ARMS. 

an  enemy  who  had  any  money,  but  it  is  of  no  use  fight- 
ing men  of  straw." 

Mr.  Tomplin  soon  after  went  away,  and  I  looked  at 
my  uncles,  wondering  what  they  would  say.  But  as 
they  did  not  speak  1  broke  out  with: 

"  Why,  he  seemed  to  think  nothing  of  it." 

"  Custom  of  the  country,"  said  Uncle  Bob,  laughing. 
"  Come,  Dick,  it's  our  turn  now." 

"  Right!"  said  Uncle  Dick;  but  Uncle  Jack  laid  hold 
of  his  shoulder. 

"  Look  here,"  he  said.  "  I  don't  like  the  idea  of  you 
two  going  down  there." 

"  No  worse  for  us  than  for  you,"  said  Uncle  Bob. 

"  Perhaps  not,  but  the  risk  seems  too  great." 

"  Never  mind,"  said  Uncle  Dick.  "  I'm  not  going  to 
be  bcateiL  It's  war  to  the  knife,  and  I'm  not  going  to 
give  up." 

"  They  are  not  likely  to  try  anything  to-night,"  said 
Uncle  Bob.  "  There,  you  two  can  walk  down  with  us 
and  look  round  to  see  if  everything  is  all  right  and 
then  come  back." 

"Don't  you  think  you  ought  to  have  pistols?"  said 
Uncle  Jack. 

"  No,"  replied  Uncle  Dick  firmly.  "  We  have  our 
sticks,  and  the  dog,  and  we'll  do  our  best  with  them. 
If  a  pistol  is  used  it  may  mean  the  destruction  of  a 
life,  and  I  would  rather  give  up  our  adventure  than 
have  blood  upon  our  hands." 

"  Yes,  you  are  right,"  said  Uncle  Jack.  "  If  bodily 
injury  or  destruction  is  done  let  them  liave  the  dis- 
grace on  their  side." 

We  started  ofi" directly,  and  I  could  not  help  noticing 
how  people  kept  staring  at  my  uncles. 

It  was  not  the  respectably-dressed  people  so  much 
as  the  rough  workmen,  who  were  hanging  about  with 
their  pipes,  or  standing  outside  the  public-house  doors. 
These  scowled  and  talked  to  one  another  in  a  way 


UNCLE   JACK   IS   UNEASY.  119 

that  I  did  not  like,  and  more  than  once  I  drew  Uncle 
Dick's  attention  to  it,  but  he  only  smiled. 

"  We're  strangers,"  he  said.  "  They'll  get  used  to  us 
by  and  by." 

There  was  not  a  soul  near  the  works  as  we  walked 
up  to  the  gate  and  were  saluted  with  a  furious  tit  of 
barking  from  Piter,  who  did  not  know  our  steps  till 
the  key  was  rattled  in  the  gate.  Then  he  stopped  at 
once  and  gave  himself  a  shake  and  whined. 

It  was  growing  dusk  as  we  walked  round  the  yard, 
to  find  everything  quite  as  it  should  be.  A  look  up- 
stairs and  down  showed  nothing  suspicious;  and  after 
a  few  words  regarding  keeping  a  sharj)  look-out  and 
the  like  we  left  the  watchers  of  the  night  and  walked 
back. 

"  Cob,"  said  Uncle  Jack  as  we  sat  over  our  supper, 
"  I  don't  like  those  two  poor  fellows  being  left  there 
by  themselves." 

"  Neither  do  I,  uncle,"  I  said.  "  Why  not  give  up 
watching  the  place  and  let  it  take  its  chance?" 

"  Because  we  had  such  an  example  of  the  safety  of 
the  place  and  the  needlessness  of  the  task?" 

"  Don't  be  hard  on  me,  uncle,"  I  said  quickly.  "  I 
meant  that  it  would  be  better  to  suffer  serious  loss 
than  to  have  someone  badly  injured  in  defending  the 
place." 

"You're  right,  Cob — quite  right,"  cried  Uncle  Jack, 
slapping  the  table.  "  Here,  you  make  me  feel  like  a 
boy.  I  believe  you  were  born  when  you  were  an  old 
man." 

''Nonsense!"  I  said,  laughing. 

"  But  you  don't  talk  nonsense,  sir.  What  are  you  — 
a  fairy  changeling  ?    Here,  let's  go  down  to  the  works." 

"Go  down?"  I  said. 

"To  be  sure.  I  couldn't  go  to  bed  to-night  and 
sleep.  I  should  be  thinking  that  those  two  poor  fel- 
lows were  being  blown  up,  or  knobsticked,  or  turned 


120  A    NIGHT   VISIT. 

out.  We'll  have  them  back  and  leave  Piter  to  take 
care  of  the  works,  and  oive  him  a  rise  in  his  wa^es." 

"Of  an  extra  piece  of  meat  every  day,  uncle?" 

"  If  you  had  waited  a  few  minutes  longer,  sir,  I 
should  have  said  that,"  he  replied,  laughing;  and  tak- 
ing his  hat  and  stick  we  went  down  the  town,  talking 
about  the  curious  vibrations  and  throbbings  we  could 
hear;  of  the  heavy  rumbling  and  the  flash  and  glow 
that  came  from  the  different  works.  Some  were  so 
lit  up  that  it  seemed  as  if  the  windows  were  fiery  eyes 
staring  out  of  the  darkness,  and  more  than  once  we 
stopped  to  gaze  in  at  some  cranny  where  furnaces 
were  kept  going  night  and  day  and  the  work  never 
seemed  to  stop. 

As  we  left  the  steam-engine  part  behind,  the  solitary 
stillness  of  our  district  seemed  to  be  more  evident;  and 
though  we  passed  one  policeman,  I  could  not  help 
thinking  how  very  little  help  we  should  be  able  to 
find  in  a  case  of  great  emergency. 

Uncle  Jack  had  chatted  away  freely  enough  as  we 
went  on;  but  as  we  drew  nearer  to  the  works  he  be- 
came more  and  more  silent,  and  when  we  had  reached 
the  lane  he  had  not  spoken  for  fully  ten  minutes. 

Eleven  o'clock  was  striking  and  all  seemed  very 
still.  Not  a  light  was  visible  on  that  side,  and  the 
neighbouring  works  were  apparently  quite  empty  as 
we  stood  and  listened. 

"  Let's  walk  along  by  the  side  of  the  dam.  Cob,"  said 
Uncle  Jack.  "  I  don't  suppose  we  shall  see  anything, 
but  let's  have  a  look  how  the  place  seems  by  night." 

I  followed  close  behind  him,  and  we  passed  under 
the  one  gas  lamp  that  showed  the  danger  of  the  path 
to  anyone  going  along;  for  in  the  darkness  there  was 
nothing  to  prevent  a  person  from  walking  right  into 
the  Vjlack  dam,  which  looked  quite  beautiful  and  coun- 
trified now,  spangled  all  over,  as  it  was,  with  the  reflec- 
tions of  the  stars. 


A   FURIOUS   CHALLENGE.  121 

I  was  going  to  speak,  but  Uncle  Jack  raised  his 
hand  for  me  to  be  silent,  and  I  crept  closer  to  hira, 
wondering  what  reason  he  had  for  stopping  me;  and 
then  he  turned  and  caught  my  arm,  for  we  had  reached 
the  end  of  the  dam  where  it  communicated  with  the 
river. 

Just  then  two  men  approached,  and  one  said  to  the 
other: 

"  Tell  'ee,  they  changes  every  night.  Sometimes  it's 
one  and  the  boy,  sometimes  two  on  'em  together.  The 
boy  Avas  there  last  night,  and Hullo!  'night,  mate!" 

"'Niofht!"  growled  Uncle  Jack  in  an  assumed  voice 
as  he  slouched  down  and  gave  me  a  shake.  "Coom  on, 
wilt  ta!"  he  said  hoarsely;  and  I  followed  him  without 
a  word. 

"  I  tried  it,  Cob,"  he  whispered  as  we  listened  to  the 
retreating  steps  of  the  men.  "I  don't  think  they  knew 
us  in  the  dark." 

"  They  were  talking  about  us,"  I  said. 

"Yes;  that  made  me  attempt  to  disguise  my  voice. 
Here,  let's  get  back.  Hark!  there's  the  dog.  Quick! 
something  may  be  wrong." 

We  set  off  at  a  troi  in  the  direction  that  the  men 
had  taken,  but  we  did  not  pass  them,  for  they  had 
gone  down  to  their  right;  but  there  was  no  doubt 
existing  that  the  affairs  at  the  works  were  well  known 
and  that  we  were  surrounded  by  enemies ;  and  perhaps 
some  of  them  were  busy  now,  for  Jupiter  kept  on  his 
furious  challenge,  mingling  it  with  an  angry  growl, 
that  told  of  something  being  wrong. 

o  o  o 


CHAPTER    XI. 


PANNELLS    PET. 


How  long  has  the 


HO'S  there?" 

"All  right — open  the  door!  Cob  and  I 
have  come  down  to  see  how  you  are  get- 
ting on,"  said  Uncle  Jack. 

The  gate  was  unlocked  and  a  stout  iron 
bar  that  had  been  added  to  the  defences  taken  down. 

"Why,  what  brings  you  two  here?"  cried  Uncle 
Dick.    "What's  the  matter?" 

"  That's  what  we  want  to  know, 
dog  been  uneasy?" 

"For  the  past  hour.  I  had  gone  to  lie  down;  Bob 
was  watchman.  All  at  once  Piter  began  barkino-  furi- 
ously,  and  I  got  up  directly." 

"  Let's  have  another  look  round,"  said  Uncle  Jack. 

"Here,  Piter!"  I  cried;  "what's  the  matter,  old 
fellow?" 

The  dog  whined  and  laid  his  great  jowl  in  my  hand, 
blinking  u-p  at  me  and  trying  to  make  his  savage  grin 
seem  to  be  a  pleasant  smile;  but  all  at  once  he  started 
away,  threw  up  his  head,  and  barked  again  angrily. 

"What  is  it,  old  fellow?"  I  said.  "Here,  show  us 
them.     W^hat  is  it?" 

Piter  looked  at  me,  whined,  and  then  barked  again 
angrily  as  if  there  was  something  very  wrong  indeed; 
but  he  could  only  smell  it  in  the  air.  What  it  was  or 
where  it  was  he  did  not  seem  to  know. 


TAKING   OUR   CHANCES.  123 

We  had  a  good  look  round,  searching  everywhere, 
and  not  without  a  great  deal  of  trepidation;  for  after 
the  past  night's  experience  with  the  powder  it  was 
impossible  to  help  feeling  nervous. 

That's  what  Uncle  Jack  called  it.  I  felt  in  a  regular 
fright. 

"  Everything  seems  quite  satisfactory,"  Uncle  Jack 
was  fain  to  say  at  last.  And  then,  "  Look  here,  boys," 
he  cried,  "  Cob  and  I  have  been  talking  this  matter 
over,  and  we  say  that  the  works  must  take  care  of 
themselves.     You  tw^o  have  to  come  back  with  us." 

"What!  and  leave  the  place  to  its  fate?"  said  Uncle 
Dick. 

"  Yes.  Better  do  that  than  any  mishap  should  come 
to  you." 

"What  do  you  say.  Bob?" 

"I've  a  very  great  objection  to  being  blown  up, 
knocked  on  the  head,  or  burned,"  said  Uncle  Bob 
quietly.  "  It's  just  so  with  a  soldier;  he  does  not  want 
to  be  shot,  bayoneted,  or  sabred,  but  he  has  to  take 
his  chance.     I'm  going  to  take  mine." 

"  So  am  I,"  said  Uncle  Dick. 

"  But,  my  dear  boys — " 

"  There,  it's  of  no  use;  is  it,  Bob?"  cried  Uncle  Dick. 
"If  we  give  w^'ay  he'll  always  be  bouncing  over  us 
about  how  he  kept  watch  and  we  daren't." 

"Nonsense!"  cried  Uncle  Jack. 

"  Well,  if  you  didn't,"  said  Uncle  Bob,  "  that  cocky 
consequential  small  man  of  a  boy.  Cob,  will  be  always 
scoinon  about  with  his  nose  in  the  air  and  sneering.  I 
shall  stay. 

"  Then  we  will  stay  with  you." 

My  uncles  opposed  this  plan,  but  Uncle  Jack  declared 
that  he  could  not  sleep  if  he  went  back;  so  the  others 
gave  in  and  we  stayed,  taking  two  hours  turns,  and 
the  night  passed  slowly  by. 

Every  now  and  then  Piter  had  an  uneasy  fit,  burst- 


124  OUR   SWARTHY   GIANT. 

inor  out  into  a  tremendous  series  of  barks  and  howls, 
but  there  seemed  to  be  no  reason  for  the  outcry. 

He  was  worst  during  the  watch  kept  by  Uncle  Jack 
and  me  after  we  had  had  a  good  sleep,  and  there  was 
something  very  pathetic  in  the  way  the  poor  dog  looked 
at  us,  as  much  as  to  say,  "  I  wish  I  could  speak  and 
put  you  on  your  guard." 

But  the  night  passed  without  any  trouble;  the  men 
came  in  to  their  work,  and  with  the  darkness  the  fear 
seemed  to  have  passed  away.  For  there  in  the  warm 
sunshine  the  water  of  the  dam  was  dancing  and 
sparkling,  the  great  wheel  went  round,  and  inside  the 
works  the  grindstones  were  whizzing  and  the  steel 
being  ground  was  screeching.  Bellows  puffed,  and 
fires  roared,  and  there  was  the  clink  clank  of  hammers 
sounding  musically  upon  the  anvils,  as  the  men  forged 
blades  out  of  the  improved  steel  my  uncles  were  trying 
to  perfect. 

Business  was  increasing,  and  matters  went  so 
smoothly  during  the  next  fortnight  that  our  troubles 
seemed  to  be  at  an  end.  In  one  week  six  fresh  men 
were  engaged,  and  after  the  sluggish  times  in  London, 
where  for  a  couple  of  years  past  business  had  been 
gradually  dying  off,  everything  seemed  to  be  most 
encourafiincr. 

Some  of  the  men  engaged  were  queer  characters. 
One  was  a  great  swarthy  giant  with  hardly  any  face 
visible  for  black  hair,  and  to  look  at  he  seemed  fit  for 
a  bandit,  but  to  talk  to  he  was  one  of  the  most  gentle 
and  amiable  of  men.  He  was  a  smith,  and  when  he 
was  at  the  anvil  he  used  almost  to  startle  me,  he 
handled  a  heavy  hammer  so  violently. 

I  often  stood  at  tlie  door  watching  him  seize  a  piece 
of  steel  with  the  tongs,  whisk  it  out  of  the  forge  with 
a  flourish  that  sent  the  white-hot  scintillations  flying 
through  the  place,  bang  it  down  on  the  anvil,  and  then 
beat  it  savagely  into  the  required  shape. 


I   MAKE   FRIENDS.  125 

Then  he  would  thrust  it  into  the  fire  again,  begin 
blowing  the  bellows  with  one  hand  and  stroke  a  kitten 
that  he  kept  at  the  works  with  his  unoccupied  hand, 
talking  to  it  all  the  time  in  a  little  squeaking  voice 
like  a  boy's. 

He  was  very  fond  of  swinging  the  sparkling  and 
sputtering  steel  about  my  head  whenever  I  went  in, 
but  he  was  always  civil,  and  the  less  I  heeded  his 
queer  ways  the  more  civil  he  became. 

There  was  a  grinder,  too,  taken  on  at  the  same  time, 
a  short  round-looking  man,  with  plump  cheeks,  and 
small  eyes  which  were  often  mere  slits  in  his  face.  He 
had  a  little  soft  nose,  too,  that  looked  like  a  plump 
thumb,  and  moved  up  and  down  and  to  right  and  left 
when  he  was  intent  upon  his  work.  He  was  the  best- 
tempered  man  in  the  works,  and  seemed  to  me  as  if  he 
was  always  laughing  and  showing  his  two  rows  of 
firm  white  teeth. 

I  somehow  quite  struck  up  an  acquaintance  with 
these  two  men,  for  while  the  others  looked  askant  at 
me  and  treated  me  as  if  I  were  my  uncle's  spy,  sent 
into  the  works  to  see  how  the  men  kept  on,  Pannell 
the  smith  and  Gentles  the  grinder  were  always  ready 
to  be  civil. 

My  friendliness  with  Pannell  began  one  morning 
when  I  had  caught  a  mouse  up  in  the  office  overlook- 
ing the  dam,  where  I  spent  most  of  my  time  making 
drawings  and  models  with  Uncle  Bob. 

This  mouse  I  took  down  as  a  bonne  bouche  for 
Pannell's  kitten,  and  as  soon  as  he  saw  the  little  crea- 
ture seize  it  and  begin  to  spit  and  swear,  he  rested 
upon  his  hammer  handle  and  stopped  to  watch  it. 

Next  time  I  M'ent  into  the  smithy  he  did  not  flourish 
the  white-hot  steel  round  my  head,  but  gave  it  a 
flourish  in  another  direction,  banged  it  down  upon  the 
anvil,  and  in  a  very  short  time  had  turned  it  into  the 
blade  of  a  small  hand-bill. 


126  AT   THE   ANVIL, 

"  You  couldn't  do  that,"  he  said  smiling,  as  he  cooled 
the  piece  of  steel  and  threw  it  down  on  the  Hoor  before 
talcing-  out  anotlier. 

"  ;Not  like  that,"  I  said.     "  I  could  do  it  roughly." 

"Yah!     Not  you,"  he  said.     "Try." 

I  was  only  too  eager,  and  seizing  the  pincers  I  took 
out  one  of  the  glowing  pieces  of  steel  lying  ready,  laid 
it  upon  the  anvil  and  beat  it  into  shape,  forming  a 
rough  imitation  of  the  work  I  had  been  w^atching,  but 
with  twice  as  many  strokes,  taking  twice  as  long,  and 
producing  work  not  half  so  good. 

When  I  had  done  he  picked  up  the  implement, 
turned  it  over  and  over,  looked  at  me,  threw  it  down, 
and  then  w^ent  and  stroked  his  kitten,  staring  straight 
before  him. 

"  Why,  I  couldn't  ha'  done  a  bit  o'  forging  like  that 
when  I'd  been  at  it  fower  year,"  he  said  in  his  high- 
pitched  voice. 

"  But  my  uncles  have  often  shown  me  how,"  I  said. 

"  What!  can  they  forge?"  he  said,  staring  very  hard 
at  me. 

"  Oh,  yes,  as  w^ell  as  you  can!" 

He  blew  hard  at  the  kitten  and  then  shook  his  head 
in  a  dis.satisiied  way,  after  which  it  seemed  as  if  I  had 
ofiended  him,  for  he  seized  his  hammer  and  pincers 
and  began  working  away  very  hard,  finishing  a  couple 
of  the  steel  bill-hooks  before  he  spoke  again. 

"Which  on  'em  'vented  this  here  contrapshion?"  he 
said,  pointing  to  an  iron  bar,  by  touching  wdiich  he 
could  direct  a  blast  of  air  into  his  fire  without  having 
the  need  of  a  man  or  boy  to  blow. 

"  Uncle  John,"  I  said. 

"  What!  him  wi'  the  biggest  head?" 

I  nodded. 

"Yes;  he  said  that  wdth  the  w^ater-w^heel  going  it 
was  easy  to  contrive  a  way  to  blow  the  fires." 

"Humph !  Can  he  forge  a  bill-hook  or  a  scythe  blade?" 


UNCLE   JACK   SHOWS   THE   WAY.  127 

"Oh,  yes!" 

"  Who's  'venting  the  noo  steel?" 

"Oh,  they  are  all  helpmg!  It  was  Uncle  Richard 
who  first  started  it." 

"Oh,  Uncle  Richard,  was  it?"  he  said  thoughtfully. 
"  Well,  it  won't  niver  do." 

"Why?" 

"  Snap  a  two,  and  never  bear  no  edge." 

"  Who  says  so?" 

"  Traiide,"  he  cried.  "  Steel  was  good  enough  as  it 
weer." 

Just  then,  as  luck  had  it,  Uncle  Jack  came  into  the 
smithy,  and  stood  and  watched  the  man  as  he  scowled 
heavily  and  flourished  out  the  hot  steel  as  if  he  re- 
sented being  watched. 

"  You  are  not  forging  those  hand-bills  according  to 
pattern,  my  man,"  said  Uncle  Jack,  as  he  saw  one 
finished,  Pannell  i)eating  the  steel  with  savage  vehe- 
mence, and  seeming  as  if  he  wished  it  were  Uncle  Jack's 
head. 

"That's  way  to  forge  a  hand-bill,"  said  the  man 
sourly. 

"  Your  way,"  said  Uncle  Jack  quietly.  "  Not  mine. 
I  gave  you  a  pattern.  These  are  being  made  of  a  new 
steel." 

"  Good  for  nought,"  said  the  man ;  but  Uncle  Jack 
paid  no  heed,  assuming  not  to  have  heard  the  remark. 
"And    I    want    them    to    look    difi'erent    to    other 
people's." 

"  Do  it  yoursen  then,"  said  the  great  fellow  savagely; 
and  he  threw  down  the  hammer  and  pincers. 

"  Yes,  perhaps  I  had  better,"  said  Uncle  Jack,  rolling 
up  his  white  shirt-sleeves,  after  taking  ofi"  his  coat  and 
throwing  it  to  me. 

I  saw  Pannell  glower  at  the  pure  white  skin  that 
covered  great  muscles  as  big  and  hard  as  his  own,  while, 
after  uniiooking  a  leather  apron  from  where  it  hung, 


128  PANNELL   IS   WON. 

the  lever  was  touched,  the  fire  roared,  and  at  last  Uncle 
Jack  brought  out  a  piece  of  white-hot  steel,  banged  it 
on  the  anvil,  and  rapidly  beat  it  into  shape. 

Every  stroke  had  its  object,  and  not  one  unnecessary 
blow  fell,  while  in  a  short  time  he  held  in  the  water, 
wliich  hissed  angrily,  a  hand-bill  that  was  beautifully 
made,  and  possessed  a  graceful  curve  and  hook  that 
the  others  wanted. 

"  There,"  said  Uncle  Jack.  "  That's  how  I  want  them 
made." 

The  man's  face  was  set  in  a  savage  vindictive  look, 
full  of  jealous  anno3^ance,  at  seeing  a  well-dressed 
gentleman  strip  and  use  the  smith's  hammer  and  pin- 
cers better  than  he  could  have  used  them  himself. 

"  Make  me  one  now  after  that  pattern,"  said  Uncle 
Jack. 

It  seemed  to  me  that  the  giant  was  going  to  tear  off 
his  leather  apron  furiously  and  stride  out  of  the  place; 
but  just  then  Uncle  Jack  stretched  out  his  great  strong 
hand  and  lifted  up  Pannell's  kitten,  which  had  sprung 
upon  the  forge  and  was  about  to  set  its  little  paws  on 
the  hot  cinders. 

"  Poor  pussy!"  he  said,  standing  it  in  one  hand  and 
stroking  it  with  the  other.  "  You  mustn't  burn  those 
little  paws  and  singe  that  coat.  Is  this  the  one  that 
had  the  mouse.  Cob/" 

Just  as  I  answered,  "Yes,"  I  saw  the  great  smith 
change  his  aspect,  pick  up  the  still  hot  hand-bill  that 
Uncle  Jack  had  forged,  stare  hard  at  it  on  both  sides, 
and  then,  throwing  it  down,  he  seized  the  pincers  in  one 
hand,  the  forge  shovel  in  the  other,  turned  on  the  blast 
and  made  the  fire  glow,  and  at  last  whisked  out  a  piece 
of  white-hot  steel. 

This  he  in  turn  banged  down  on  the  anvil — stithy 
he  called  it — and  beat  into  shape. 

It  was  not  done  so  skilfully  as  Uncle  Jack  had  forged 
his,  but  the  work  was  good  and  quick,  and  when  he 


UNPLEASANT   DAYS.  129 

had  done,  the  man  cooled  it  and  held  it  out  with  all 
the  rough  independence  of  the  north-countryman. 

"  Suppose  that  may  do,  mcster,"  he  said,  and  he  stared 
at  where  Uncle  Jack  still  stroked  the  kitten,  which 
made  a  platform  of  his  broad  palm,  and  purred  and 
rubbed  itself  against  his  chest. 

"Capitally!"  said  Uncle  Jack,  setting  down  the 
kitten  gently.  "  Yes ;  I  wouldn't  wish  to  see  better 
work." 

"Aw  raioht!"  said  Pannell;  and  he  went  on  with  his 
work,  while  Uncle  Jack  and  I  walked  across  the  yard 
to  the  office. 

"  We  shall  get  all  right  with  the  men  by  degrees, 
Cob,"  he  said.  "  That  fellow  was  going  to  be  nasty, 
but  he  smoothed  himself  down.  You  see  now  the  use 
of  a  master  beino-  able  to  show  his  men  how  to  handle 
their  tools." 

"  Yes,"  I  said,  laughing;  "  but  that  was  not  all.  Pan- 
nell would  have  gone  if  it  had  not  been  for  one  thing." 

"What  was  that?"  he  said. 

"  You  began  petting  his  kitten,  and  that  made  him 
friends." 

I  often  used  to  go  into  the  smithy  when  Pannell 
was  at  work  after  that,  and  now  and  then  handled  his 
tools,  and  he  showed  me  how  to  use  them  more  skilfully, 
so  that  we  were  pretty  good  friends,  and  he  never 
treated  me  as  if  I  were  a  spy. 

The  greater  part  of  the  other  men  did,  and  no  matter 
how  civil  I  was  they  showed  their  dislike  by  having 
accidents  as  they  called  them,  and  these  accidents 
always  happened  when  I  was  standing  by  and  at  no 
other  time. 

For  instance  a  lot  of  water  would  be  splashed,  so  that 
some  fell  upon  me;  a  jet  of  sparks  from  a  grindstone 
would  flash  out  in  my  face  as  I  went  past;  the  band  of 
a  stone  would  be  loosened,  so  that  it  flapped  against 
me  and  knocked  off  my  cap.     Then  pieces  of  iron  fell, 

(322)  I 


130  I   GET   SPLASHED. 

or  were  thrown,  no  one  knew  which,  though  they 
knew  where,  for  the  place  was  generally  on  or  close 
by  my  unfortunate  body. 

I  was  in  the  habit  of  frequently  going  to  look  down 
in  the  wheel  chamber  or  pit,  and  one  day,  as  I  stepped 
on  to  the  threshold,  my  feet  glided  from  under  me,  and 
but  for  my  activity  in  catching  at  and  hanging  by  the 
iron  bar  that  crossed  the  way  I  should  have  plunged 
headlong  in. 

There  seemed  to  be  no  reason  for  such  a  slip,  but  the 
men  laughed  brutally,  and  when  I  looked  I  found  that 
the  sill  had  been  well  smeared  with  fat. 

There  was  the  one  man  in  the  grinders'  shop,  though, 
whom  I  have  mentioned,  and  who  never  seemed  to  side 
with  his  fellow  workers,  but  looked  half  pityingly  at 
me  whenever  I  seemed  to  be  in  trouble. 

I  went  into  the  grinding  shop  one  morning,  where 
all  was  noise  and  din,  the  wheels  spinning  and  the 
steel  shrieking  as  it  was  being  ground,  when  all  at  once 
a  quantity  of  water  such  as  might  have  been  thrown 
from  a  pint  pot  came  all  over  me. 

I  turned  round  sharply,  but  every  one  was  at  work 
except  the  stout  grinder,  who,  with  a  look  of  disgust 
on  his  face,  stood  wiping  his  neck  with  a  blue  cotton 
handkerchief,  and  then  one  cheek. 

"Any  on  it  come  on  you,  mester?"  he  said. 

"Any  come  on  me!"  I  cried  indignantly — "look." 

"  It  be  a  shaJim — a  reg'lar  shaam,"  he  said  slowly; 
"  and  I'd  like  to  know  who  throwed  that  watter.  Here, 
let  me." 

He  came  from  his  bench,  or  horse  as  the  grinders 
call  their  seat,  and  kindly  enough  brushed  the  water 
away  from  my  jacket  with  his  handkerchief. 

"  Don't  tak'  no  notice  of  it,"  he  said.  "They're  nob- 
but  a  set  o'  fullish  boys  as  plays  they  tricks,  and  if  you 
tell  on  'em  they'll  give  it  to  you  worse." 

I  took  his  advice,  and  said  nothing  then,  but  naturally 


EELS    IN   THE   DAM.  131 

enough,  spoke  to  my  uncles  about  it  when  we  were 
alone  at  night. 

"Never  mind,"  said  Uncle  Dick.  "I  daresay  we 
shall  get  the  fellows  to  understand  in  time  that  we  are 
their  friends  and  not  their  enemies." 

"  Yes,"  said  Uncle  Jacl^ ;  "  they  are  better.  I  dare 
say  it  will  all  come  right  in  time." 

It  was  soon  after  this  that  I  went  into  the  grinding 
shop  one  day  while  the  men  were  at  dinner,  and  going 
to  the  door  that  opened  into  the  wheel  chamber,  which 
always  had  a  fascination  for  me,  I  stood  gazing  down 
into  its  depths  and  listening  to  the  splashing  water. 

'•  Iver  try  to  ketch  any  o'  them  long  eels,  Mester 
Jacob?"  said  a  familiar  voice;  and,  starting  and  looking 
back,  I  saw  that  Gentles,  the  fat  little  grinder,  was 
sitting  down  close  to  his  wet  grindstone  eating  his 
dinner,  and  cutting  it  with  a  newly  ground  knife  blade 
forged  out  of  our  new  steel. 

"Eels,  Gentles!"  I  said.  "I  didn't  know  there  were 
any  there." 

"  Oh,  but  there  are,"  he  said ;  "  straange  big  'uns.  You 
set  a  line  with  a  big  bait  on,  and  you'll  soon  hev  one." 

"  What,  down  there  by  the  wheel?" 

"  Ay,  or  oop  i'  the  dam.     Plenty  o'  eels,  lad,  theer." 

"  I'll  have  a  try,"  I  said  eagerly,  for  the  idea  of  catch- 
ing one  or  two  of  the  creatures  was  attractive. 

From  that  I  got  talking  to  the  man  about  his  work,  • 
and  he  promised  to  let  me  have  a  few  turns  at  grinding. 

"On'y,  what  am  I  to  say  if  thee  coots  theesen?"  he 
cried  with  a  chuckle. 

"Oh,  but  you'll  show  me  how  to  do  it  without!"  I 
said  laucrhino;. 

"Nay,  but  what's  good  o'  thee  wanting  to  grind? 
Want  to  tak'  work  out  o'  poor  men's  hands?" 

"Nonsense!"  I  cried  angrily.  "Why,  Gentles,  you 
know  better  than  that.  All  I  want  is  to  understand 
thoroughly  how  it  is  done,  so  that  1  can  talk  to  the 


132  A   TRAMPLED   DOWN   WOROIAN. 

men   about    their   work,  and    show    them    it'    it    isn't 
right." 

"Oh!"  he  said  in  a  curious  tone  of  voice.  "Well, 
you  coom  any  time  when  watter- wheel's  going,  and 
I'll  show  thee  all  that  I  know.  'Tain't  much.  Keeps 
men  fro'  starving." 

"Why,  Gentles,"  I  cried;  "you  drew  three  pounds 
five  last  week,  and  I  saw  you  paid." 

"  Three  pun'  five!  Did  I?"  he  said.  "Ah,  but  that 
was  a  partic'lar  good  week.  I've  got  a  missus  and  a 
lot  o'  bairns  to  keep,  and  times  is  very  bad,  mester," 

"  I'm  sorry  for  it,"  I  said;  and  I  went  away  and  had 
a  look  in  the  books  as  soon  as  I  reached  the  office,  to 
find  that  Master  Gentles  never  drew  less  than_  three 
pounds  a  week;  but  I  did  not  remind  him  of  it,  and 
during  the  next  few  days  he  very  civilly  showed  me 
how  his  work  was  done — that  is,  the  knack  of  holding 
and  turning  the  blades,  so  that  I  rapidly  acquired  the 
way,  and  was  too  busy  to  notice  the  peculiar  looks  I 
received  from  the  other  men. 

Of  course  I  know  how  that  I  was  a  mere  bung-ler, 
and  clumsy,  and  slow  in  the  extreme;  but  at  the  time 
I  felt  as  if  I  must  be  very  clever,  and  there  was  some- 
thing very  satisfactory  in  seeing  a  blackened  hammered 
blade  fresh  from  the  forge  turn  bright  and  clean  in  my 
hands,  while  the  edge  grew  sharp  and  even. 

It  was  playing  with  edged  tools  with  a  vengeance, 
but  I  did  not  understand  it  then. 


CHAPTER   XII. 

pannell's  secret. 


VERY  day  the  works  grew  more  busy,  and 
prosperity  seemed  to  be  coming  upon  us 
like  sunshine.  The  men  worked  steadily 
and  well,  and  the  old  opposition  had  appa- 
rently died  out;  but  all  the  same  the  watching  was  kept 
up  as  regularly  as  if  it  was  during  war  time,  though, 
saving  an  occasional  burst  of  barking  from  Piter,  who 
used  to  have  these  fits  apparently  without  cause,  there 
was  nothing  to  alarm  the  watchers. 

It  was  my  turn  at  home,  and  I  was  up  early  the 
next  morning,  wonderinsf  how  Uncle  Jack  and  Uncle 
Bob  had  got  on  during  the  night,  when  I  came  down 
and  found  Mrs.  Stephenson  and  Martha  the  maid  en- 
joying themselves. 

Their  way  of  enjoying  themselves  was  peculiar,  but 
that  it  afforded  them  pleasure  there  could  be  no  doubt. 
It  might  have  been  considered  a  religious  ceremony, 
but  though  there  was  a  kind  of  worship  or  adoration 
about  it,  there  was  nothing  religious  in  the  matter  at 
all. 

What  they  did  was  this: — To  mix  up  a  certain 
quantity  of  black-lead  in  a  little  pie-dish,  and  then 
kneel  down  before  a  stove,  and  work  and  slave  at  it 
till  there  was  a  tremendous  gloss  all  over  the  iron. 

In  effecting  this  Mrs.  Stephenson  used  to  get  a  little 


134  UNCLE  JACK  IS  EXCITED. 

smudgy,  but  Martha  seemed  to  have  an  itching  nose 
which  always  itched  most  on  these  occasions,  and  as  you 
watched  her  you  saw  her  give  six  scrubs  at  the  grate 
with  tlie  front  of  the  brush,  and  then  one  rub  with 
the  back  on  her  face  or  nose. 

This  act  must  have  been  pleasant,  for  as  she  bent 
down  and  scrubbed  she  frowned,  as  she  sat  up  and 
rubbed  her  nose  with  the  back  of  the  brush  she 
smiled. 

Now  if  Martha  had  confined  her  rubs  to  her  nose  it 
would  not  have  much  mattered,  but  in  rubbing  her 
nose  she  also  rubbed  her  cheeks,  her  chin,  her  forehead, 
and  the  consequence  was  a  great  waste  of  black-lead, 
and  her  personal  appearance  was  not  improved. 

I  was  standino-  watchinof  the  black-leading  business, 
an  affection  from  which  most  north- country  people 
suffer  very  badly,  when  Uncle  Jack  came  hurrying  in, 
looking  hot  and  excited. 

"  Where's  Dick?"  he  cried. 

"  In  his  room  drawing  plans,"  I  cried.  "  What's  the 
matter?     Is  Uncle  Bob  hurt?" 

"Xo,  not  a  bit!" 

"Then  Piter  is?" 

"  No,  no,  no.    Here,  Dick!"  he  shouted  up  the  stairs. 

There  was  a  sound  on  the  upper  floor  as  if  some  one 
had  just  woke  an  elephant,  and  Uncle  Dick  came  lum- 
berintj  down. 

"What's  wrong?"  he  cried. 

Uncle  Jack  glanced  round  and  saw  that  Mrs.  Ste- 
phenson was  looking  up  from  where  she  knelt  in  the 
fi-ont  room,  with  her  eyes  and  mouth  wide  open  as  the 
door,  and  Martha  was  slowly  rubbing  her  nose  with  the 
black-lead  brush  and  waiting  for  him  to  speak. 

"  Put  on  your  hat  and  come  down  to  tlie  works,"  he 
said. 

We  moved  by  one  impulse  into  the  pa..sage,  and  as 
we  reached  the  door  Mrs.  Stephenson  cried: 


GETTING   WORSE.  1.35 

"Brackfass  won't  he  long;"  and  then  the  sound  of 
black-leadinof  went  on. 

"  Now,  then,"  said  Uncle  Dick  as  we  reached  the 
street,  "what  is  it?     Anything  very  wrong?" 

"  Terribly,"  said  Uncle  Jack. 

"  Well,  what  is  it  ?     Why  don't  you  speak  ? " 

''Come  and  see  for  yourself,"  said  Uncle  Jack  bitterly. 
"I  thought  matters  were  smoothing  down,  but  they 
are  getting  worse,  and  I  feel  sometimes  that  we  might 
as  well  give  up  as  carry  on  this  unequal  war." 

"No:  don't  give  up,  Uncle  Jack,"  I  cried.  "Let's 
fight  the  cowards." 

"  Bring  them  into  the  yard  then  so  that  we  can  fight 
them,"  he  cried  angrily.  "The  cowardly  back-stabbers; 
sneaks  in  the  dark.  I  couldn't  have  believed  that  such 
things  could  go  on  in  England." 

"  Well,  but  Ave  had  heard  something  about  what  the 
Arrowfield  men  could  do,  and  we  knew  about  how  in 
the  Lancashire  district  the  work-people  used  to  smash 
new  machinery." 

"There,  wait  till  you've  seen  what  has  happened," 
cried  Uncle  Jack  angrily.  "You've  just  risen  after  a 
night's  rest.  I've  come  to  you  after  a  night's  watch- 
ing, and  you  and  I  feel  ditterently  about  the  same 
thing." 

Very  little  more  was  said  before  we  reached  the 
works,  M'here  the  first  thing  I  saw  was  a  group  of  men 
round  the  gate,  talking  together  with  their  hands  in 
their  pockets. 

Gentles  was  amono;  them,  smokinof  a  short  black 
pipe,  and  he  shut  his  eyes  at  me  as  we  passed,  which 
was  his  way  of  bestowing  upon  me  a  smile. 

When  we  passed  through  the  gate  the  men  followed 
as  if  we  were  a  set  of  doctors  about  to  put  something 
i-ight  for  them,  and  as  if  they  had  been  waiting  for  us 
to  come. 

Uncle  Bob  was  standing  by  the  door  as  we  came 


136  OUR   BANDS. 

across  the  j^ard,  and  as  soon  as  we  reached  him  he 
turned  in  and  we  followed. 

There  was  no  occasion  for  him  to  speak;  he  just 
walked  along  the  great  workshop,  pointing  to  right 
and  left,  and  we  saw  at  once  why  the  men  were  idling 
about. 

Few  people  who  read  this  will  have  any  difficulty  in 
understanding  what  wheel-bands  are.  They  used  to 
be  very  common  in  the  streets,  joining  the  wheels  of 
the  knife-grinders'  barrows,  and  now  in  almost  every 
house  they  are  seen  in  the  domestic  treadle  sewing- 
machine.  Similar  to  these,  but  varying  in  size,  are 
the  bands  in  a  factory.  They  may  be  broad  flat 
leather  straps  of  great  weight  and  size,  formed  by 
sewing  many  lengths  together,  or  they  may  be  string- 
like cords  of  twisted  catgut.  They  all  come  under  the 
same  name,  and  there  were  scores  in  our  works  con- 
necting the  shaft  wheels  of  the  main  shaft  turned  by 
the  water-power  with  the  grindstones  of  the  lower 
floor  and  the  lathes  and  polishers  of  the  upper.  By 
these  connections  wheel,  stone,  and  chuck  were  set 
spinning  round.  Without  them  everything  was  at  a 
stand-still. 

As  we  walked  down  between  the  grindstones  it  was 
plain  enough  to  see — every  wheel-band  had  been  cut. 

It  was  the  same  upstairs — broad  bands  and  cords  all 
had  been  divided  with  a  sharp  knife,  and  Uncle  Bob 
held  a  piece  of  whetstone  in  his  hand  which  had  been 
thrown  down  by  the  door,  evidently  after  being  used 
by  the  miscreant  who  had  done  this  cowardly  trick. 

As  we  went  upstairs  and  saw  the  mischief  there  the 
men  followed  us  like  a  flock  of  sheep,  waiting  to  see 
what  we  should  do,  for  they  were  perforce  idle.  Only 
the  smiths  could  work,  for  by  accident  or  oversight 
the  Ijand  which  connected  the  shaft  with  the  blowing 
apparatus  had  escaped,  and  as  we  stood  there  by  the 
office  door  we  could  hear  the  clink  clink  of  the  ham- 


WE   RECEIVE   A    MESSAGE.  137 

mers  upon  the  anvils  and  the  pleasant  roar  of  each 
forge. 

"  Hallo !  What's  this  ?"  cried  Uncle  Jack  as  he  caught 
sight  of  something  white  on  the  office  door,  which 
proved  to  be  a  letter  stuck  on  there  by  a  common 
wooden-handled  shoemakers'  knife  having  been  driven 
right  through  it. 

"  I  did  not  see  that  before,"  said  Uncle  Bob  excitedly. 

"  No,  because  it  was  not  there,"  said  Uncle  Jack. 
"  I  should  have  seen  it  if  it  had  been  there  when  I 
came  out  of  the  office  first." 

"And  /  am  sure  that  I  should  have  seen  it,"  said 
Uncle  Bob. 

The  letter  was  opened  and  read  by  Uncle  Jack,  who 
passed  it  on  to  his  brothers. 

They  read  it  in  turn,  and  it  was  handed  to  me,  when 
I  read  as  follows: 

"  This  hears  the  nif  as  coot  thera  weel-bans.  Stope 
makkin  noo  kine  steel,  or  be  Strang  and  had  for  wurks." 

"Come  in  the  office  and  let's  talk  it  over/'  said  Uncle 
Bob.  "This  must  have  been  placed  here  by  someone 
in  the  works." 

"Yes,"  said  Uncle  Jack  bitterly.  "It  is  plain  enough : 
the  wheel-bands  have  been  cut  by  one  of  the  men  who 
get  their  living  by  us,  and  who  take  our  pay." 

"And  you  see  the  scoundrel  who  wrote  that  letter 
threatens  worse  treatment  if  we  do  not  give  up  making 
the  new  silver  steel." 

""Yes,"  said  Uncle  Jack  sternly  as  he  turned  to 
Uncle  Dick;  "what  do  you  mean  to  do?" 

"  Begin  a  fresh  batch  to-day,  and  let  the  men  know 
it  is  being  done.  Here,  let's  show  them  that  we  can 
be  as  obstinate  as  they."  Then  aloud  as  we  approached 
the  men  where  thej^  had  grouped  together,  talking 
about  the  "cooten  bands,"  as  they  termed  it.     "You 


138  A   CRUEL   SHAME. 

go  at  once  to  the  machinist's  and  get  a  couple  of  men 
sent  on  to  repair  such  of  these  bands  as  they  can,  and 
put  new  ones  where  they  are  shortened  too  much  by 
the  mendino-." 

Uncle  Bob  smiled  at  once. 

"Look  here,"  said  Uncle  Dick  .sharply,  "some  of  you 
men  can  make  shift  by  tying  or  binding  your  bands 
till  they  are  properly  done." 

"Ay,  mester,"  came  in  a  growl,  and  shortly  after  the 
sound  of  steel  being  ground  upon  the  sharply-spinning 
stones  was  heard.  An  hour  later  a  couple  of  men  were 
fitting  bands  to  some  of  the  wheels,  and  mending  others 
by  lacing  them  together. 

I  was  standing  watching  them  as  they  fitted  a  new 
band  to  Gentles'  wheel,  while  he  stood  with  his  bared 
arms  folded,  very  eager  to  begin  work  again. 

"Ain't  it  a  cruel  shaame?"  he  whispered.  "Here's  me, 
a  poor  chap  paid  by  the  piece,  and  tliis  morning  half 
gone  as  you  may  say.  This  job's  a  couple  o'  loaves  out 
o'  my  house." 

He  wiped  a  tear  out  of  the  corner  of  each  half -closed 
eye  as  he  stared  at  me  in  a  miserable  helpless  kind  of 
way,  and  somehow  he  made  me  feel  so  annoyed  with 
him  that  I  felt  as  if  I  should  like  to  slap  his  fat  face 
and  then  kick  him. 

I  went  away  very  much  exasperated  and  glad  to  get 
out  of  the  reach  of  temptation,  leaving  my  uncles  busily 
superintending  the  fitting  of  the  bands,  and  helping 
where  they  could  do  anything  to  start  a  man  on  again 
with  his  work.  And  all  the  time  they  seemed  to  make 
very  light  of  the  trouble,  caring  for  nothing  but  get- 
ting the  men  started  aofain. 

I  went  down  into  the  smithy,  where  Pannell  was  at 
work,  and  as  1  entered  the  place  he  looked  for  a  moment 
from  tlie  glowing  steel  he  was  hammering  into  a  shape, 
to  which  it  yielded  as  if  it  had  been  so  much  tough 
wax,  and  then  went  on  again  as  if  I  had  not  been  there. 


A   FEW   -WORDS   WITH    PANNELL.  139 

His  kitten  was  a  little  more  friendly,  though,  for  it 
fan  from  the  brickwork  of  the  forge,  leaped  on  to  a 
bench'  behind  me,  and  bounded  from  that  on  to  my 
back,  and  crept  to  my  shoulder,  where  it  could  ri'b  its 
head  against  my  ear. 

"  Well,  Pannell,"  I  said,  "you've  heard  about  the 
cowardly  trick  done  in  the  shops?" 

"  Ay,  I  heered  on't,"  he  cried,  as  he  battered  away 
at  the  steel  on  his  anvil. 

"Who  did  it?" 

"Did  it!"  he  cried,  nipping  the  cherry-red  steel  in  a 
fresh  place  and  thrusting  it  back  in  the  fire.  "Don't 
they  know?     Didn't  they  hear  in  the  night?" 

"No,"  I  said;  "they  heard  nothing,  not  a  sound. 
The  dog  did  not  even  bark,  they  say." 

"  Would  he  bite  a  man  hard? " 

"  He'd  almost  eat  a  man  if  he  attacked  him." 

"Ay,  he  looks  it,"  said  Pannell,  patting  the  black 
coal-dust  down  over  a  glowing  spot, 

"Well,  who  do  you  think  did  it?"  I  said. 

"Someone  as  come  over  the  wall,  I  s'pose;  but  you'd 
better  not  talk  about  it." 

"But  I  like  to  talk  about  it,"  I  said.  "Oh,  I 
should  like  to  find  out  who  it  was!  It  was  someone 
here." 

"Here!"  he  cried,  whiskinof  out  the  steel. 

"Yes,  the  sneaking,  blackguardly,  cowardly  hound!" 
I  cried. 

"Hush!"  he  whispered  sharply;  "some  one  may  hear 


again. 


I  stared  at  the  great  swarthy  fellow,  for  he  looked 
sallow  and  scared,  and  it  seemed  so  strange  to  me  that, 
while  I  only  felt  annoyance,  he  should  be  alarmed. 

"Why,  Pannell,'  I  cried,  "what's  the  matter?" 

"  Best  keep  a  still  tongue,"  he  said  in  a  whisper. 
"You  never  know  who  may  hear  you." 

"  I  don't  care  who  hears  me.     It  was  a  coward  and 


140  ABOUT   STABS    IN    THE   DARK. 

a  scoundrel  who  cut  our  bands,  and  I  should  like  to 
tell  him  so  to  his  face." 

"  Ho^yd  thee  tongue,  I  say,"  he  cried,  hammering 
away  at  his  anvil,  to  drown  my  words  in  noise.  "  What 
did  I  tell  thee?" 

"  That  some  one  might  hear  me.  Well,  let  him.  Why, 
Pannell,  you  look  as  if  you  had  done  it  yourself.  It 
wasn't  you,  was  it?" 

He  turned  upon  me  quite  fiercely,  hammer  in  hand, 
making  me  think  about  Wat  Tyler  and  the  tax- 
o-atherer;  but  he  did  not  strike  me:  he  brought  his 
hammer  down  upon  the  anvil  with  a  loud  clang. 

"  Nay,"  he  said ;  "  I  nivver  touched  no  bands.  It 
warn't  my  wuck." 

"  Well,  I  never  thought  it  was,"  I  said.  "  You  don't 
look  the  sort  of  man  who  would  be  a  coward." 

"  Oh,  that's  what  you  think,  is  it,  lad?" 

"Yes,"  I  said, seating  myself  on  the  bench  and  stroking 
the  kitten.  "  A  blacksmith  always  seems  to  me  to  be 
a  bold  manly  straightforward  man,  who  would  fight 
his  enemy  fairly  face  to  face,  and  not  go  in  the  dark 
and  stab  him." 

"Ah!"  he  said;  "but  I  arn't  a  blacksmith,  I'm  a 
whitesmith,  and  work  in  steel." 

"It's  much  the  same,"  I  said  thoughtfully;  and  then, 
looking  him  full  in  the  face:  "No,  Pannell,  I  don't 
think  you  cut  the  bands,  but  I  feel  pretty  sure  you 
know  who  did." 

The  man's  jaw  dropped,  and  he  looked  quite  paralysed 
for  a  moment  or  two.  Then  half  recovering  himself 
he  plunged  his  tongs  into  the  fire,  pulled  out  a  sput- 
tering white  piece  of  glowing  steel,  gave  it  his  regular 
whirl  through  the  air  like  a  firework,  and,  instead  of 
Ijanging  it  on  to  the  anvil,  plunged  it  with  a  fierce 
toss  into  the  iron  water-trough,  and  quenched  it. 

"Why,  Pannell!"  I  cried,  "  what  made  you  do  that?" 

He  scratched  his  head  with  the  hand  that  held  the 


322 


A    TALK    WITH    PANNF.Ll   THE    SMITH, 


DIVIDED   OPINIONS.  141 

hammer,  and  stared  at  me  for  a  few  moments,  and 
then  down  at  the  black  steel  that  he  had  taken  drip- 
ping from  the  trough. 

"  Dunno,"  he  said  hoarsely,  "  dunno,  lad." 

"  I  do,"  I  said  to  myself  as  I  set  down  the  kitten  and 
went  back  to  join  my  uncles,  who  were  in  consultation 
in  the  office. 

They  stopped  short  as  I  entered,  and  Uncle  Bob 
turned  to  me.  "  Well,  Philosopher  Cob,"  he  said,  "  what 
do  you  say?  Who  did  this  cowardly  act — was  it  some- 
one in  the  neighbourhood,  or  one  of  our  own  men?" 

"Yes,  who  was  it?"  said  Uncle  Dick. 

"  We  are  all  divided  in  our  opinions,"  said  Uncle 
Jack. 

"One  of  our  own  men,"  I  said;  "and  Pannell  the 
smith  knows  who  it  was." 

"And  will  he  tell?" 

"  No.  I  think  the  men  are  like  schoolboys  in  that. 
No  one  would  speak  for  fear  of  being  thought  a 
sneak." 

"  Yes,"  said  Uncle  Dick,  "  and  not  only  that;  in  these 
trades-unions  the  men  are  all  bound  together,  as  it 
were,  and  the  one  who  betrayed  the  others'  secrets 
would  be  in  peril  of  his  life." 

"How  are  we  to  find  out  who  is  the  scoundrel?"  I 
said. 

Uncle  Dick  shook  his  head,  and  did  what  he  always 
found  to  be  the  most  satisfactory  thing  in  these  cases, 
set  to  work  as  hard  as  he  could,  and  Uncles  Jack  and 
Bob  followed  his  example. 


CHAPTER    XIIL 


ONLY   A   GLASS   OF   WATER. 


HE  keeping  watch  of  a  night  had  now  grown 
into  a  regulai'  business  habit,  and  though  we 
discovered  nothing,  the  feeling  was  always 
upon  us  that  if  we  relaxed  our  watchful- 
ness for  a  few  hours  something  would  happen. 

The  paper  stuck  on  the  door  was  not  forgotten  by 
my  uncles,  but  the  men  went  on  just  as  usual,  and  the 
workshops  were  as  busy  as  ever,  and  after  a  good  deal 
of  drawing  and  experimenting  Uncle  Dick  or  Uncle 
Jack  kept  producing  designs  for  knives  or  tools  to  be 
worked  up  out  of  the  new  steel. 

"  But,"  said  I  one  day,  "  I  don't  see  that  this  reap- 
ing-hook will  be  any  better  than  the  old-fashioned 
one." 

"  The  steel  is  better  and  will  keep  sharp  longer,  my 
lad,  but  people  would  not  believe  that  it  was  in  the 
slightest  degree  different,  unless  they  had  something 
to  see,"  said  Uncle  Dick. 

So  the  men  were  set  to  forge  and  grind  the  different 
shaped  tools  and  implements  that  were  designed,  and 
I  often  lieard  tliem  laughing  and  jeering  at  what  they 
called  the  "contrapshions." 

My  turn  came  round  to  keep  the  morning  watch 
about  a  week-  after  the  new  bands  had  been  fitted. 
Uncle  Bob  had  been  on  guard  during  the  night,  and 


DROWSY   WORK.  143 

just  as  I  was  comfortably  dreaming  of"  a  pleasant 
country  excursion  I  was  awakened  by  a  cheery, 
"Tumble  up,  Tumble  up!" 

I  sat  up  confused  and  drowsy,  but  that  soon  passed 
off  as  Uncle  Bob  laughingly  told  me,  in  sham  nautical 
parlance,  that  all  was  well  on  deck;  weather  hazy, 
and  no  rocks  ahead  as  far  as  he  knew. 

"  Oh,"  I  said  yawning,  "  I  do  wish  all  this  watching 
was  over!" 

"  So  do  I,  Cob,"  he  cried;  "  but  never  mind,  we  shall 
tire  the  rascals  out  yet." 

I  thought  to  myself  that  they  would  tire  us  out 
first,  as  I  went  down  grumpily  and  disjDOsed  to  shiver; 
and  then,  to  thoroughly  waken  and  warm  myself,  I 
had  a  good  trot  round  the  big  furnace,  where  the  men 
had  tried  to  fire  the  powder. 

It  was  circus-horse  sort  of  work  that  running  round 
on  the  black  ashes  and  iron  scales,  but  it  warmed  me, 
and  as  the  miserable  shivery  feeling  went  off  I  felt 
brighter  and  more  ready  for  my  task. 

Piter  was  with  me  trotting  close  behind,  as  I  ran 
round  and  round;  and  when  at  last  I  was  pretty  well 
out  of  breath  I  sat  down  on  a  bench,  and  took  the 
dog's  fore-paws  on  my  knees,  as  I  thought  about  how 
different  my  life  here  seemed  from  what  I  had  ex- 
pected. There  had  been  some  unpleasant  adventures, 
and  a  good  deal  of  work,  but  otherwise  my  daily  career 
seemed  to  be  very  monotonous,  and  I  wondered  when 
our  old  country  trips  were  to  be  renewed. 

Then  I  had  a  good  look  round  the  place  upstairs 
and  down;  and,  so  sure  as  I  passed  an  open  window,  I 
felt  about  with  my  hands  for  wires,  the  memory  of 
that  powder-tin  being  too  vivid  to  be  forgotten. 

I  went  and  listened  by  the  oflice  door,  and  could 
hear  my  uncle  breathing  heavily. 

I  went  and  looked  out  at  the  dam,  which  was  always 
worth  looking  at  for  its  reflections  of  the  heavens,  but 


144  NIGHT   IN    THE   WORKS. 

it  was  perfectly  still.  There  was  no  raft  gliding  down 
towards  the  building. 

Down  in  the  grinders'  shop  all  was  still,  and  in  the 
darkness  the  different  shafts  and  wheels  looked  very 
curious  and  threatening,  so  much  so  that  it  only  wanted 
a  little  imagination  for  one  to  think  that  this  was  some 
terrible  torture  chamber,  the  door  at  the  end  leading 
into  the  place  where  the  Avater  torment  was  adminis- 
tered, for  the  curious  musical  dripping  and  plashing 
sounded  very  thrilling  and  strange  in  the  solemnity  of 
the  nioht. 

That  place  always  attracted  me,  and  though  there  in 
the  darkness  I  did  not  care  to  open  the  door  and  look 
down  at  the  black  water,  I  went  and  listened,  and  as 
I  did  so  it  seemed  that  there  was  something;  o-oino-  on 
there.  Every  now  and  then  came  a  splash,  and  then 
a  hurrying  as  of  something  being  drawn  over  wet 
bars  of  wood.  Then  there  were  a  series  of  soft  thuds 
at  irregular  intervals,  and  as  I  listened  all  this  was 
magnified  by  imagination,  and  I  was  ready  to  go  and 
call  for  Uncle  Bob  to  descend  when  a  faint  squeaking 
noise  brought  me  to  my  senses  and  I  laughed. 

"  Why,  Piter,"  I  said,  "what  a  dog  you  are!  Don't 
you  hear  the  rats?" 

Piter  rubbed  his  great  head  against  me  and  whined 
softly. 

"  Don't  care  for  rats?"  I  said.  "  All  right,  old  fellow. 
I  forgot  that  you  were  a  bull-dog  and  did  not  care  for 
anything  smaller  than  a  bull,  unless  it  were  a  man." 

I  stood  listening  for  a  few  minutes  longer,  wondering 
whether  some  of  the  sounds  I  could  hear  down  by  the 
stonework  were  made  by  eels,  and,  recalling  what 
Gentles  had  said,  I  determined  that  some  eveninof  I 
would  have  a  try  for  the  slimy  fellows  either  down 
below  the  great  water-wheel  or  out  of  the  office-window, 
where  I  could  drop  a  line  into  the  deepest  part  of  the 
dam. 


A  CURIOUS  FIT.  145 

Then  I  went  into  the  smiths'  shops  and  thought  about 
how  sulky  Pannell  had  been  ever  since  I  had  talked  to 
him  about  the  wheel-bands. 

"  This  won't  do,  Piter,"  I  said,  trying  to  rouse  myself, 
for  I  was  dreadfully  sleepy;  and  I  had  another  trot 
with  the  dog  after  me  in  his  solid,  silent  way — for  he 
rarely  barked  unless  it  was  in  anger — but  trotted  close 
behind  me  wherever  I  mio-ht  go. 

I  cannot  tell  you  what  a  fight  I  had  that  night — for 
it  was  more  like  night  than  morning.  I  walked  fast; 
I  tried  all  sorts  of  gymnastic  attitudes;  I  leaped  up, 
caught  hold  of  an  iron  bar  and  swung  by  my  arms,  and 
whenever  I  did  these  things  I  grew  as  lively  as  a 
cricket;  but  as  soon  as,  from  utter  weariness,  I  ceased, 
the  horrible  drowsiness  came  on  again,  and  as  I  walked 
I  actually  dreamed  that  there  was  a  man  creeping 
along  the  ground  towards  the  building. 

This  seemed  to  wake  me,  and  it  was  so  real  that  I 
went  out  to  see — nothing. 

Then  I  had  another  tour  of  the  place;  stood  leaning 
against  door-posts,  and  up  in  corners,  ready  to  drop 
down  with  sleep,  but  fighting  it  ofi"  again. 

I  went  out  across  the  yard  and  had  a  look  at  the 
dam,  lay  down  on  the  stone  edge,  and  bathed  my  face 
with  the  fresh  cold  water,  turned  my  handkerchief 
into  a  towel,  and  walked  back  in  the  dim,  gray  light, 
seeing  that  morning  was  breaking,  and  beginning  to 
rejoice  that  I  had  got  rid  of  my  drowsy  fit,  which 
seemed  unaccountable. 

Piter  seemed  as  drowsy  as  I,  holding  his  head  down 
in  a  heavy  way  as  if  it  were  more  than  he  could 
bear. 

"  Poor  old  boy !  Why,  you  seem  as  sleepy  as  I  am, 
Piter!"  I  said,  as  I  seated  myself  on  the  stairs  leading 
up  to  the  office;  and  he  whined  softly  and  laid  his 
head  in  my  lap. 

I  thought  I  heard  a  noise  just  then,  and  looked  up. 


(322) 


146  DREAMY   FANCIES. 

but  there  was  no  repetition  of  the  sound,  and  I  sat 
there  at  a  turn  of  the  stairs,  leaning  against  the  wall, 
and  wondering  why  the  dog  had  not  started  up  instead 
of  letting  his  heavy  head  drop  lower  in  my  lap. 

"  Why,  you  are  as  drowsy  as  I  am,  Piter,"  I  cried 
again,  playing  with  his  ears;  "anyone  would  think 
you  had  been  taking  a  sleeping  draught  or  something 
of  that  kind." 

He  answered  with  a  heavy  snore,  just  like  a  human 
being,  and  I  sat  gazing  down  and  out  through  the 
open  doorway  into  the  yard,  thinking  that  it  would 
not  be  long  now  before  it  was  broad  daylight  instead 
of  that  half  darkness  that  seemed  so  strange  and  misty 
that  I  could  only  just  see  through  the  doorway  and 
distinguish  the  stones. 

Then  I  could  hardly  see  them  at  all,  and  then  they 
seemed  to  disappear,  and  I  could  see  all  over  the  yard, 
and  the  dam  and  the  works  all  at  once.  It  was  a 
wonderful  power  of  sight  that  I  seemed  to  possess,  for 
I  was  looking  through  the  walls  of  the  upper  shop,  and 
all  through  the  lower  shop,  and  down  into  the  water- 
pit.  Then  I  was  looking  round  the  furnace,  and  in  at 
the  smiths'  forges,  and  at  the  great  chimney-shaft,  and 
at  the  precipice  by  Dome  Tor. 

What  a  place  that  seemed!  Since  my  uncle  slipped 
over  it  the  slaty,  shaly  face  appeared  to  have  grown 
twice  as  big  and  high,  and  over  it  and  down  the  steep 
slope  a  man  was  crawling  right  in  from  the  Dome  Tor 
slip  to  our  works.  I  saw  him  come  along  the  stone 
edge  of  the  dam  and  over  the  wheel  with  the  water,  to 
bob  up  and  down  in  the  black  pit  like  a  cork  float 
when  an  eel  is  bitino-  at  a  bait.  There  he  went — bob— 
bob — bob — and  down  out  of  sight. 

It  seemed  such  a  splendid  bite,  that,  being  fond  of 
fishing,  I  was  about  to  strike,  the  absurdity  of  the  idea 
of  fishinj;  with  a  man  for  a  float  never  striking  me  for 
a  moment;  but,  just  as  I  was  going  to  pull  up,  the 


THE  AWAKING.  147 

man  was  crawling  over  the  floor  of  the  grinders'  shop, 
and  the  water  was  not  there,  though  the  wheel  seemed 
to  be  going  round  and  uttering  a  heavy  groan  at  every 
turn  for  want  of  grease. 

There  he  was  again,  creeping  and  writhing  up  the 
stairs,  and  higher  and  higher  along  the  floor  among 
the  lathes;  then  he  was  in  the  office,  and  over  the  bed 
where  Uncle  Bob  lay  making  a  snoring  noise  like  the 
great  water-wheel  as  it  turned.  What  a  curiously-long, 
thin,  writhing  man  he  seemed  to  be  as  he  crawled  and 
wriggled  all  over  the  floor  and  lathes  and  polishing- 
wheels.  Down,  too,  into  the  smiths'  shops,  and  over 
the  half-extinct  flres  without  burning  himself,  and  all 
the  time  the  wheel  went  round  with  its  snorinoj  noise, 
and  the  man — who  was  really  a  big  eel — was  ringing 
a  loud  bell,  and — 

I  jumped  up  wide  awake,  upsetting  Piter,  and 
throwing  his  head  out  of  my  lap,  when,  instead  of 
springing  up,  he  rolled  heavily  half-way  down  the 
stairs  as  if  he  were  dead. 

"  Why,  I've  been  to  sleep,"  I  said  angrily  to  myself, 
"and  dreaming  all  sorts  of  absurd  nonsense!  That 
comes  of  thinking  about  fishino-  for  eels." 

I  was  cold  and  stiff"  and  there  was  a  bell  ringins:  in 
the  distance  at  some  works,  where  the  men  beiran  an 
hour  sooner  than  ours.  But  I  took  no  notice  ot"  that, 
for  I  was  thinkino-  about  Piter,  and  wonderino-  how 
he  could  lie  so  still. 

"Is  he  dead?"  I  thought;  and  I  went  down  and  felt 
him. 

He  did  not  move;  but  it  was  evident  that  he  w^as 
not  dead,  for  he  snored  heavil}^,  and  felt  warm  enough ; 
but  he  was  too  fast  asleep  to  be  roused,  even  when  I 
took  hold  of  his  collar  and  shook  him. 

I  was  puzzled,  and  wondered  whether  he  could  have 
had  anything  to  make  him  so  sleepy. 

But  if  he  had  had  anything  to  make  him  sleepy  I 


14:8  THAT   water-bottle! 

had  not,  and  yet  I  must  liave  been  soundly  asleep  for 
two  or  three  hours. 

I  remembered,  though,  that  when  I  last  went  round 
the  yard  Piter  had  been  sniffing  about  at  something, 
and  perhaps  he  might  have  eaten  what  had  not  agreed 
with  him  then. 

"  Poor  old  boy !  he'll  wake  up  presently,"  I  said  to 
myself  as  I  lifted  him  up;  and  heavy  enough  he  seemed 
as  I  carried  him  down  to  his  kennel,  just  inside  the 
door,  where  he  lay  motionless,  snoring  heavily  still. 

"  Lucky  thing  that  no  one  has  been,"  I  said  to  my- 
self, as,  feeling  thoroughly  ashamed  of  my  breach  of 
trust,  I  went  down  to  the  dam,  taking  a  towel  with 
me  this  time  from  out  of  my  office-drawer,  and  there, 
kneeling  on  the  stones,  I  had  a  good  bathe  at  my  face 
and  forehead,  and  went  back  feeling  ever  so  much 
fresher. 

The  sounds  of  toil  were  rising:  in  the  distance,  and 
over  the  great  town  the  throb  and  hum  and  whirr  of 
the  busy  hive  was  rising  in  the  sunny  morning  air,  as, 
with  the  events  of  the  night  fading  away,  I  went  in  to 
my  olHce  to  put  away  the  towel  and  use  the  comb  and 
brush  I  kept  there. 

That  done,  I  was  going  to  call  Uncle  Bob  and  walk 
back  with  him  to  our  home,  for  the  men  would  soon  be 
there. 

Just  then  the  water-bottle  and  glass  upon  my  desk 
caught  my  eye,  and,  like  a  Hash,  I  remembered  that  I 
had  filled  the  glass  and  drunk  a  little  water,  leaving 
the  glass  nearly  full  so  as  to  take  some  more  if  I  wanted 
it,  for  a  glass  of  water  Avas,  I  found,  a  capital  thing  to 
keep  off  drowsiness  when  one  w^as  watching. 

I  was  sure  I  had  left  that  glass  nearly  full,  and  stand- 
ing on  the  desk;  but  I  had  not  been  and  drunk  any 
more,  of  that  I  was  sure.  I  don't  know  why  I  had  not 
gone  back  to  have  some,  considering  hov/  sleepy  I  was, 
but  I  certainly  had  not.     I  was  sure  of  it. 


A    PATCH   ON   THE   CARPET.  140 

Then  the  water-bottle!  It  was  a  common  plain 
bottle  such  as  is  used  on  a  wash-stand,  and  we  had 
three  of  them  always  filled  with  fresh  cold  water  on 
the  desks.  Mine  was  full  when  I  poured  some  out  in 
the  night,  and  now  it  was  quite  empty ;  and  as  I  stared 
at  it  and  then  about  the  room  I  saw  a  great  patch  of 
wet  on  the  carpet. 

I  looked  farther  and  there  was  another  patch — a 
smaller  patch  or  big  splash,  as  if  the  contents  of  the 
glass  had  been  thrown  down. 

It  was  very  strange,  and  I  could  not  understand  it. 
I  had  not  thrown  the  water  down.  If  I  had  wanted  to 
get  rid  of  it,  I  should  have  crone  to  the  sink  outside  or 
have  opened  the  window,  and  thrown  it  out  into  the 
darn. 

The  matter  was  of  small  consequence,  and  I  paid  no 
more  attention  to  it,  but  went  to  Uncle  Bob,  where  he 
was  lying,  fighting  with  myself  as  to  whether  I  should 
tell  him  that  I  had  been  to  sleep. 

I  did  not  like  to  speak,  for  I  felt — well  I  felt  as  most 
boys  would  under  the  circumstances;  but  I  mastered 
ray  moral  cowardice,  as  I  thought,  and  determined  to 
tell  him — after  breakfast. 

"Ah  Cob,  old  chap,"  he  cried,  jumping  up  as  I  laid 
my  hand  on  his  shoulder,  "what  a  delicious  sleep! 
What  a  mornino-  too — Hah!     That's  better." 

He  was  dressed,  for  though  whoever  lay  down,  so  to 
speak,  went  to  bed,  he  never  undressed;  so  that  after  a 
plunge  of  the  face  and  hands  in  the  cool  fresh  water, 
and  a  scrub  and  brush,  Uncle  Bob  was  ready. 

"I  want  my  breakfast  horribly,  Cob,"  he  said;  "and 
we've  an  hour  to  wait.  Let's  have  a  walk  round  by  the 
hill  as  we  go  home.     Have  you  unlocked  the  gate?" 

"Yes,"  I  said;  "before  I  came  up  to  call  you." 

"That's  right.  Ah,  here  the  men  come!"  for  there  was 
the  trampling  of  feet,  and  the  noise  of  voices  crossing 
the  yard.     "Fed  Piter?" 


150  TAKEN    TO   TASK. 

"No;  not  yet,"  I  said.     "He's  asleep." 

"Asleep!" 

"Yes;  he  has  been  asleep  these  three  hours  past — 
asleep  and  snoring.  He's  in  his  kennel  now.  I  couldn't 
wake  him." 

"Nice  sort  of  a  watch-dog,  Cob!" 

"Yes,"  I  said,  feeling  very  guilty  and  shrinking  from 
my  confession. 

"Do  you  say  you  tried  to  wake  him?" 

"Yes,"  I  said,  "I  took  him  up  in  my  arms,  and  carried 
him  down  to  his  kennel,  and  he  was  snoring  all  the 
time." 

"Carried  him  down!     Where  from?" 

"The  stairs.     He  went  to  sleep  there." 

"Cob!"  he  cried,  making  the  blood  Hush  to  my  face, 
and  then  run  back  to  my  heart — "why,  what's  the 
matter,  boy,  aren't  you  well?" 

"j\Iy  head  aches  a  little,  and  my  mouth  feels  rather 
hot  and  dry." 

"And  you've  got  dark  marks  under  your  eyes,  boy. 
You've  not  been  asleep  too,  have  you?" 

I  stared  at  him  wildly,  and  felt  far  more  unwell  now. 

"Why  don't  you  speak?"  he  cried  angrily.  "You 
haven't  been  to  sleep,  have  you?" 

"I  was  going  to  confess  it,  uncle,  if  you  had  given  me 
time,"  I  said.  "I  never  did  such  a  thing  before;  but  1 
couldn't  keep  awake,  and  fell  asleep  for  over  two 
hours." 

"Oh,  Cob!  Cob!" 

"I  couldn't  help  it,  uncle,"  I  cried  passionately.  "I 
did  try  so  hard.  I  walked  and  ran  about.  I  stood  up, 
and  danced  and  jumped,  and  went  in  the  yard,  but  it 
was  all  of  no  use,  and  at  last  I  dropped  down  on  the 
stairs  with  Piter,  and  before  I  knew  it  I  was  fast." 

"Was  the  dog  asleep  too?" 

"He  went  to  sleep  before  I  did,"  I  said  bitterly. 

"Humph!" 


GENTLES   MAKES    AN   ANNOUNCEMENT.  151 

"Don't  be  angry  with  me,  Uncle  Bob,"  I  cried.  "I 
did  try  so  hard." 

"Did  you  take  anything  last  night  after  I  left  you?" 

"No,  uncle.  You  know  I  was  very  sleepy  when  you 
called  me." 

"Nothing  at  all?" 

"Only  a  drop  of  water  out  of  the  bottle," 

"Go  and  fetch  what  is  left,"  he  said.  "Or  no,  I'll 
come.     But  Piter;  what  did  he  have?" 

"I  don't  know,  only  that  he  seemed  to  pick  up  some- 
thing just  as  we  were  walking  along  the  yard.  That's 
all." 

"There's  some  fresh  mischief  afoot,  Cob,"  cried  Uncle 
Bob,  "and — ah,  here  it  is!    Well,  my  man,  what  is  it?" 

This  was  to  Gentles,  whose  smooth  fat  face  was  full 
of  wrinkles,  and  his  eyes  half  closed. 

He  took  off  his  cap — a  soft  fur  cap,  and  wrung  it 
gently  as  if  it  were  full  of  water.  Then  he  began 
shaking  it  out,  and  brushing  it  with  his  cuff,  and 
looked  from  one  to  the  other,  giving  me  a  salute  by 
jerking  up  one  elbow. 

"Well,  why  don't  you  speak,  man;  what  is  it?"  cried 
Uncle  Bob.     "Is  anything  wrong?" 

"No,  mester,  there  aren't  nought  wrong,  as  you  may 
say,  though  happen  you  may  think  it  is.  Wheel-bands 
hev  been  touched  again." 


CHAPTER    XIV. 

UNCLE    bob's    patient. 

NCLE  BOB  gave  me  a  sharp  look  that 
seemed  to  go  through  me,  and  then  strode 
into  tlie  workshop,  while  I  followed  him 
trembling  with  anger  and  misery,  to  think 
that  I  should  have  gone  to  sleep  at  such  a  time  and  let 
the  miscreants  annoy  us  again  like  this. 

"Not  cut  this  time,"  said  Uncle  Bob  to  me,  as  we 
went  from  lathe  to  lathe,  and  from  to  stone.  Upstairs 
and  downstairs  it  was  all  the  same;  every  band  of 
leather,  gutta-percha,  catgut,  had  been  taken  away,  and, 
of  course,  the  whole  of  this  portion  of  the  works  would 
be  brouo-ht  to  a  stand. 

I  felt  as  if  stunned,  and  as  guilty  as  if  I  had  shared 
in  the  plot  by  which  the  bands  had  been  taken  away. 

The  men  were  standing  about  stolidly  watching  us. 
Thev  did  not  complain  about  their  work  beino^  at  a 
stand-still,  nor  seem  to  mind  that,  as  they  were  paid 
by  the  amount  they  did,  they  would  come  short  at  the 
end  of  the  week :  all  they  seemed  interested  in  was  the 
way  in  which  we  were  going  to  bear  the  loss,  or  act. 

"Does  not  look  like  a  walk  for  us,  Cob,"  said  Uncle 
Bob.     "What  a  cruel  shame  it  is!" 

"Uncle,"  I  cried  passionately,  for  we  were  alone  now, 
"I  can't  tell  you  how  ashamed  I  am.  It's  disgraceful. 
I'm  not  fit  to  be  trusted.  I  can  never  forgive  myself, 
but  I  did  try  so  very  very  hard." 


DRUGGED,  153 

"Try,  my  boy!"  he  said  taking  my  hand;  "why,  of 
course,  you  did.     I  haven't  blamed  you." 

"No,  but  I  blame  myself,"  I  cried. 

"Nonsense,  my  boy!  let  that  rest." 

"But  if  I  had  kept  awake  I  should  have  detected 
the  scoundrel." 

"No,  you  would  not,  Cob,  because  if  you  had  been 
awake  he  would  not  have  come;  your  being  asleep  was 
his  opportunity." 

"But  I  ought  not,  being  on  sentry,  to  have  gone  to 
sleep." 

"  But,  my  dear  Cob,  people  who  are  drugged  cannot 
help  going  to  sleep." 

"Drugged!" 

'■'  To  be  sure.  Didn't  you  say  that  you  drank  a  little 
water  and  afterwards  grew  sleepy?" 

"  But  I  did  not  know  it  was  the  water." 

"  Here,  let  me  look  at  your  bottle  and  glass." 

I  took  him  into  the  office  and  showed  him  the  empty 
receptacles  and  the  two  patches  on  the  floor, 

"  Clumsily  done.  Cob,"  he  said  after  looking  at  and 
smelling  them.  "  This  was  done  to  keep  anyone  sus- 
picious from  examining  the  water.  Yes,  Cob,  you  were 
drugged." 

"Oh,  Uncle  Bob,"  I  cried  excitedly,  "I  hope  I 
was! 

"  I  don't  see  why  you  need  be  so  hopeful,  but  it  is 
very  evident  that  you  were.  There,  don't  worry  your- 
self about  it,  my  boy.  You  always  do  your  duty  and 
we've  plenty  to  think  of  without  that.  We  shall  spoil 
two  breakfasts  at  home." 

"  But,  uncle,"  I  cried,  clinging  to  his  arm,  "  do  you 
really  think  I  may  believe  that  my  sleepiness  came 
from  being  druo-o-ed?" 

"  Yes,  yes,  yes,"  he  cried  half  angi-ily,  "  Now  are 
you  satisfied?    Come  and  let's  have  a  look  at  the  dog." 

I  felt  quite  guilty  at  liaving  forgotten  poor  Piter  so 


154  PITER   IN    DIFFICULTIES. 

long,  and  descending  with  my  uncle  we  were  soon 
kneeling  by  the  kennel. 

He  had  not  stirred  since  I  put  him  in,  but  lay  snoring 
heavily,  and  no  amount  of  shaking  seemed  to  have  the 
least  cft'ect. 

"  The  poor  brute  has  had  a  strong  dose,  Cob,"  said 
Uncle  Bob,  "and  if  we  don't  do  something  he  will 
never  wake  again." 

"Oh,  uncle!"  I  cried,  for  his  words  sent  a  pang 
through  me.  I  did  not  know  how  much  I  had  grown 
to  like  the  faithful  piece  of  ugliness  till  my  uncle  had 
spoken  as  he  did. 

"  Yes,  the  wretches  have  almost  done  for  him,  and 
I'm  glad  of  it." 

"Glad!"  I  cried  as  I  lifted  poor  Piter's  head  in  my 
hand  and  stroked  it. 

"  Glad  it  was  that  which  made  the  poor  brute  silent. 
I  thought  he  had  turned  useless  through  his  not  giving 
the  alarm." 

"  Can't  we  do  something,  uncle?"  I  cried. 

"  I'm  tliinking.  Cob,"  he  replied,  "  it's  not  an  easy 
thinff  to  o-ive  doo-s  antidotes,  and  besides  we  don't  know 
what  he  has  taken.  Must  be  some  narcotic  though. 
I  know  what  we'll  do.  Here,  carry  him  down  to  the 
dam." 

A  number  of  the  workmen  were  looking  on  stolidly 
and  whispering  to  one  another  as  if  interested  in  what 
we  were  froinu'  to  do  about  the  dos:.  Some  were  in  the 
yard  smoking,  some  on  the  stairs,  and  every  mans 
hands  were  deep  in  his  pockets. 

"  Say,"  shouted  a  voice  as  I  carried  the  dog  out  into 
the  yard,  following  Uncle  Bob  while  the  men  made  room 
for  us,  "  they're  a  goin'  to  drown  bull  poop." 

I  hurried  on  after  my  uncle  and  heard  a  trampling 
of  feet  behind  me,  but  I  took  no  notice,  only  as  I 
reached  the  dam  there  was  quite  a  little  crowd  closing 
in. 


UNCLE   BOB   SPEAKS.  155 

"  Wayert  a  minute,  mester,"  said  one  of  the  grinders. 
"  I'll  get  'ee  bit  o'  iron  and  a  Lit  o'  band  to  tie  round 
poop's  neck." 

For  answer,  Uncle  Bob  took  the  dog  by  his  collar 
and  hind  legs,  and  kneeling  down  on  the  stone  edge  of 
the  dani  plunged  him  head  first  into  the  water,  drew 
him  out,  and  plunged  him  in  again  twice. 

"  Yow  can't  drownd  him  liak  that,"  cried  one. 

"  He's  dowsing  on  him  to  bring  him  round,"  said 
another;  and  then,  as  Uncle  Bob  laid  the  dog  down 
and  stood  up  to  watch  him,  there  was  a  burst  of 
laughter  in  the  little  crowd,  for  all  our  men  were 
collected  now. 

"  Yes,  laugh  away,  you  cowardly  hounds,"  said  Uncle 
Bob  indignantly,  and  I  looked  at  him  wonderingly,  for 
he  had  always  before  seemed  to  be  so  quiet  and  good- 
tempered  a  fellow.  "  It's  a  pity,  I  suppose,  that  you 
did  not  kill  the  dog  right  out  the  .same  as,  but  for  a 
lucky  accident,  you  might  have  poisoned  this  boy  here." 

"Who  poisoned  lad<"'  said  a  grinder  whom  I  had 
seen  insolent  more  than  once. 

"  I  don't  know,"  cried  Uncle  Bob ;  "  but  I  know  it 
was  done  by  the  man  or  men  who  stole  those  bands 
last  night;  and  I  know  that  it  was  done  by  someone 
in  these  works,  and  that  you  nearly  all  of  you  know 
who  it  was." 

There  was  a  low  growl  here. 

"And  a  nice  cowardly  contemptible  trick  it  was!" 
cried  Uncle  Bob,  standing  up  taller  than  any  man 
there,  and  with  his  eyes  flashing.  "  I  always  thought 
Englishmen  were  plucky,  straightforward  fellows, 
above  such  bl'ackguards'  tricks  as  these.  Workmen! 
Why,  the  scoundrels  who  did  this  are  unworthy  of  the 
name." 

There  was  another  menacing  growl  here. 

•*  Too  cowardly  to  fight  men  openly,  they  come  in 
the  night  and  strike  at  boys,  and  dogs,  and  steal." 


156  TTTREATENINGS. 

"  Yow  look3'-e  here,"  said  the  big  grinder,  taking  off 
his  jacket  and  baring  his  strong  arms;  "j-ow  called  me 
a  coward,  did  youT' 

"Yes,  and  any  of  you  who  know  who  did  this 
coward's  trick,"  cried  Uncle  Bob  angrily. 

"  Then  tek  that!"  cried  the  man,  striking  at  him  full 
in  the  face. 

I  saw  Uncle  Bob  catch  the  blow  on  his  right  arm, 
dart  out  his  left  and  strike  the  big  grinder  in  the 
mouth;  and  then,  before  he  could  recover  himself,  my 
uncle's  right  list  flashed  through  the  air  like  lightning, 
and  the  man  staggered  and  then  fell  with  a  dull  thud, 
the  back  of  his  head  striking  the  stones. 

There  was  a  loud  yell  at  this,  and  a  chorus  rose: 

"  In  wi'  'em.  Throost  'em  i'  th'  dam,"  shouted  a  voice, 
and  half  a  dozen  men  advanced  menacingl}'-;  but  Uncle 
Bob  stood  firm,  and  just  then  Pannell  the  smith  strode 
before  them. 

"Howd  hard  theer,"  he  cried  in  his  shrill  voice.  "Six 
to  one,  and  him  one  o'  the  mesters." 

Just  then  Uncles  Jack  and  Dick  strode  in  through 
the  gates,  saw  the  situation  at  a  glance,  and  ran  to 
strengthen  our  side. 

"What's  this?"  roared  Uncle  Dick  furiously,  as 
Uncle  Jack  clenched  his  fists  and  looked  round,  as  it 
>seemed  to  me,  for  some  one  to  knock  down.  "  In  to 
your  work,  every  man  of  you." 

"  Bands  is  gone,"  said  a  sneering  voice. 

"Then  get  off  our  premises,  you  dogs!"  he  roared. 
"  Out  of  that  gate,  I  say,  every  man  who  is  against  us." 

"Oh,  we're  not  agen  you,  mester,"  said  Gentles 
smoothly.  "I'm  ready  for  wuck,  on'y  the  bands  is 
gone.     Yow  mean  wuck,  eh,  mates?" 

"  Then  go  and  wait  till  we  have  seen  what  is  to  be 
done.     Do  you  hear? — go." 

He  advanced  on  the  men  so  fiercely  that  they  backed 
from  him,  leaving  Pannell  only,  and 'he  stooped  to  help 


ANOTHER   PLUNGE   FOR   TITEll.  15? 

up  the  big  grinder,  who  rose  to  his  feet  shaking  his 
head  like  a  doo-  does  to  set  the  water  out  of  his  ears, 
for  thei'e  must  have  been  a  loud  sino-ino-  noise  there. 

"  Off  with  you!"  said  Uncle  Dick  turning  upon  these 
two. 

"  Aw  reight,  mester,"  said  Pannell.  "  I  were  on'y 
helping  the  mate.  Mester  Robert  there  did  gie  him  a 
blob." 

Pannell  was  laughing  good-humouredly,  and  just 
then  Uncle  Bob  turned  upon  him. 

"  Thank  3-ou,  Pannell,"  he  said  quickly.  "  Pm  glad 
we  have  one  true  man  in  the  place." 

"Oh,  it's  aw  reight,  mester,"  said  the  smith.  "Here, 
coom  along,  thou'st  had  anew  to  last  thee  these  two 
months." 

As  he  spoke  he  half  dragged  the  big  grinder  away 
to  the  workshop,  and  Uncle  Bob  rapidly  explained  the 
state  of  affairs. 

"  It's  enough  to  make  us  give  up,"  cried  Uncle  Dick 
angrily.  "  We  pay  well ;  we're  kind  to  our  men ;  we 
never  overwoi'k  them;  and  yet  they  serve  us  these 
blackguard  tricks.  Well,  if  they  want  to  be  out  of 
work  they  shall  be,  for  I'll  agree  to  no  more  bands 
being  bought  till  the  scoundrels  come  to  their  senses." 

"  But  we  will  not  be  beaten,"  cried  Uncle  Jack,  who 
looked  disappointed  at  there  being  no  more  fighting. 

"  No,"  said  Uncle  Bob,  wiping  his  bleeding  knuckles 
"  I  feel  as  if  I  had  tasted  blood,  as  they  say,  and  I'm 
ready  to  fight  now  to  the  end." 

"And  all  the  time  we  are  talkincr  and  letting^  that 
poor  dog  perish!  The  cowards!"  cried  Uncle  Dick 
fiercely.     "Is  he  dead?" 

"  No,"  I  said;  "I  saw  one  of  his  ears  quiver  a  little, 
but  he  is  not  breathing  so  loudly." 

"  Give  him  another  plunge,"  said  Uncle  Jack. 

Uncle  Bob  took  the  dog  as  before  and  plunged  him 
once  more  in  the  cold  clean  water;  and  this  time,  as 


158  A   FKESH   LETTER. 

soon  as  he  was  out,  he  struggled  slightly  and  choked 
and  panted  to  get  his  breath. 

"We  must  get  him  on  his  legs  if  we  can,"  said  Uncle 
Bob;  and  for  the  next  half  hour  he  kept  trying  to 
make  the  dog  stand,  but  without  avail,  till  he  had 
almost  given  up  in  despair.  Then  all  at  once  poor  Piter 
beoan  to  whine,  stru<rnled  to  his  feet,  fell  down,  strug- 
gled  up  again,  and  then  began  rapidly  to  recover,  and 
at  last  followed  us  into  the  ofHce — where,  forgetful 
of  breakfast,  we  began  to  discuss  the  present  state  of 
the  war. 

The  tirst  thing  that  caught  my  eye  as  we  went  in 
was  a  letter  stuck  in  the  crack  of  the  desk,  so  that  it 
was  im[)ossible  for  anyone  to  pass  without  seeing  it. 

Uncle  Jack  took  the  letter,  read  it,  and  passed  it 
round,  Uncle  Bob  reading  last. 

I  asked  what  it  was  as  I  stooped  over  poor  Piter, 
who  seemed  stupid  and  confused  and  shivered  with 
the  wet  and  cold. 

"Shall  I  tell  him?"  said  Uncle  Bob,  looking  at  his 
brothers. 

They  looked  at  one  another  thoughtfully,  nodded, 
and  Uncle  Bob  handed  me  the  note;  and  a  precious 
composition  it  was. 

"  You  London  Cockneys,"  it  began,  "  you've  had 
plenty  warnings  'bout  your  (jimcracks  and  contrap- 
sJtions,  and  wouldn't  take  'em.  Now  look  Jtere,  we 
vjon't  hev  'em  in  Arrowjield,  robbing  hard-workin 
men  of  toil  of  their  hard  earns  and  takin'  bread  out  o' 
xvife  and  childers  moutJis  and  starvin  famlies,  so  look 
out.  If  you  tJvree  an  thut  sorcy  hoy  don't  pack  up 
your  traps  and  he  off,  we'll  come  and  pack  'em  up  for 
you.     So  now  you  know." 

"What  does  this  mean?"  I  said,  looking  from  one  to 
the  other. 


"IT   MEANS   war!"  159 

"  It  means  war,  my  lad,"  said  Uncle  Dick  fiercely. 

"You  will  not  take  any  notice  of  this  insolent 
letter?"  I  said. 

"Oh  yes,  but  we  will!"  said  Uncle  Jack. 

"Not  give  up  and  go  like  cowards?" 

"  I  don't  think  we  shall,  Cob,"  said  Uncle  Jack  laugh- 
ing. "No;  we're  in  the  right  and  they  are  in  the 
wronfT.  We've  ii'ot  a  strong  tower  to  tio-ht  in  and  de- 
fend  ourselves;  they've  got  to  attack  us  here,  and  I 
think  they'll  be  rather  badly  off  if  they  do  try  any- 
thing moi'e  serious." 

"  This  has  been  bad  enough,"  said  Uncle  Bob.  "You 
did  not  fully  understand  how  narrowan  escape  Cob  had." 

And  he  related  all. 

"The  scoundrels!"  said  Uncle  Jack,  grinding  his 
teeth.  "  And  now  this  means  threatenings  of  future 
attacks." 

"  Well,"  said  Uncle  Dick,  "if  they  do  come  I'm  afraid 
someone  will  be  very  much  hurt — more  so  than  that 
man  Stevens  you  knocked  down." 

"And  made  a  fresh  enemy  for  us,"  said  Uncle  Jack, 
lauohing. 

"And  showed  who  was  a  friend,"  I  said,  remember- 
ing Pannell's  action. 

"  To  be  sure,"  said  Uncle  Jack.  "  Well,  if  anyone  is 
hurt  it  will  be  the  attacking  party,  for  I  am  beginning 
to  feel  vicious." 

"Well,  what  about  the  wheels?"  said  Uncle  Bob. 
"  Every  band  has  gone,  and  it  will  be  a  heavy  expense 
to  restore  them." 

"  Let's  go  and  have  breakfast  and  think  it  over," 
said  Uncle  Dick.  "  It's  bad  to  decide  in  haste.  "Listen! 
what  are  the  men  doings?" 

"  Going  out  in  the  yard,  evidently,"  said  Uncle  Bob. 
"Yes,  and  down  to  the  gate." 

So  it  proved,  for  five  minutes  later  the  place  was 
completely  empty. 


IGO  WHAT   IS   JVIACHINERY? 

"  Why,  they've  forsaken  us,"  said  Uncle  Dick  bitterly. 

"  Never  mind,"  said  Uncle  Bob.  "  Let's  have  our 
breakfast.     We  can  lock  up  the  place." 

And  this  we  did,  taking  poor  old  Piter  with  us,  who 
looked  so  helpless  and  miserable  that  several  dogs 
attacked  him  on  our  way  home,  anticipating  an  easy 
victory. 

But  they  did  Piter  good,  rousing  him  up  to  give  a 
bite  here  and  another  there — one  bite  being  all  his 
enemies  cared  to  receive  before  rushing  off,  yelping- 
apologies  for  the  mistake  they  had  made  in  attacking 
the  sickly-looking  heavy-eyed  gentleman  of  their  kind. 

Piter  had  jaws  like  a  steel  trap,  as  others  beside 
dogs  found  before  long. 

When  we  went  back  to  tlie  works  the  gatekeeper 
left  in  charge  said  that  several  of  the  men  had  been 
back,  but  had  gone  again,  it  having  been  settled  that 
no  more  work  was  to  be  done  till  the  wheel-bands  were 
restored;  so  the  fires  were  going  out,  and  the  smiths, 
who  could  have  gone  on,  had  to  leave  their  forges. 

"Well,"  said  tlncle  Dick,  laughing  bitterly,  as  he 
gave  his  beard  a  sharp  tug,  "  I  thought  that  we  were 
masters  here." 

"Quite  a  mistake,"  said  Uncle  Jack;  "the  men  are 
the  masters;  and  if  we  do  anything  that  they  in  their 
blind  ignorance  consider  opposed  to  their  interests  they 
punish  us." 

"Well,  you  see,  sir,"  said  the  gatekeeper,  "it's  like 
this  here,  sir — work's  quite  scarce  enough,  and  the  men 
are  afi'aid  that  new  steel  or  new  machinery  will  make 
it  worse." 

"  Tell  them  to  take  the  scales  off  their  eyes,  then," 
said  Uncle  Dick.     "Oppose  machinery,  do  they?" 
Y  es,  sir. 

"Then  if  someone  invented  a  new  kind  of  grind- 
stone to  grind  tools  and  blades  in  a  quarter  of  the 
time,  what  would  they  do?" 


WE   PERSEVERE.  161 

"  Smash  it,  sir,  or  burn  the  place  it  was  in,"  said  the 
man  with  a  grin. 

"  Then  why  don't  they  smash  np  the  grindstones 
they  use  now?     They  are  machinery." 

"  What!  grindstones,  sir?     Oh,  no!" 

"  But  they  are,  man,  I  tell  you,"  cried  Uncle  Dick 
angrily.  "  The  first  men  who  ground  knives  or  shears 
rubbed  them  on  a  rough  piece  of  stone;  then  I  dare 
say  a  cleverer  man  found  it  was  handier  to  rub  the 
blade  with  the  stone  instead  of  the  stone  with  the 
blade;  and  then  someone  invented  the  round  grind- 
stone which  turned  and  ground  whatever  was  held 
against  it." 

"  Come  along,"  said  Uncle  Jack  sharply.  "You  are 
wasting  breath.  They  will  not  believe  till  they  find 
all  this  out  for  themselves." 

We  went  in  and  had  a  good  look  round  the  place, 
but  there  was  not  a  band  to  be  found.  There  had 
been  no  cutting — every  one  had  been  carried  away, 
leaving  no  trace  behind;  and  I  wanted  a  good  deal  of 
comforting  to  make  me  satisfied  that  it  was  not  my 
fault. 

But  my  uncles  were  very  kind  to  me,  and  told  me 
at  once  that  I  was  to  say  no  more,  only  to  be  thankful 
that  I  had  not  drunk  more  heartily  of  the  water,  and 
been  made  ill  as  the  dog,  who,  in  spite  of  seeming  better, 
kept  having  what  I  may  call  relapses,  and  lying  down 
anywhere  to  have  a  fresh  sleep. 

The  look  round  produced  no  result,  and  the  day  was 
spent  in  the  silent  works  writing  letters,  book-keeping, 
and  talking  rather  despondently  about  the  future. 

It  seemed  so  strange  to  me  as  I  went  about.  No 
roaring  fires  and  puffing  bellows;  no  clink  of  hammer 
or  anvil,  and  no  churr  and  screech  of  steel  being  held 
against  the  revolving  stones.  There  was  no  buzz  of 
voices  or  shouting  from  end  to  end  of  the  workshop, 
and  instead  of  great  volumes  of  smoke  rolling  out  of 

( 322 )  L 


162  WAITING. 

the  top  of  the  tall  chimney-shaft,  a  little  faint  gi'ay 
cloud  slowly  curled  away  into  the  air. 

Then  there  was  the  great  wheel.  The  dam  was  full 
and  overflowing,  but  the  wheel  was  still;  and  when  I 
looked  in,  the  water  trickled  and  plashed  down  into 
the  gloomy  chamber  with  its  mossy,  slimy  stone  sides, 
while  the  light  shone  in  at  the  opening,  and  seemed  to 
make  bright  bands  acro>;s  the  darkness  before  it  played 
upon  the  slightly  agitated  waters. 

Then  a  long  discussion  took  place,  in  which  it  was 
asked  whether  it  would  be  wise  to  buy  new  bands,  and 
to  ask  the  men  to  come  back  and  work;  but  opinion 
was  against  this. 

"  No,"  said  Uncle  Jack.  "  I'm  for  being  as  obstinate 
as  they  are.  We've  had  our  bands  injured  once;  now 
let's  show  them  that  if  they  can  afford  to  wait  so  can 
we.  We  can't,  neither  can  they,  but  there  must  be  a 
little  obstinacy  practised,  and  perhaps  it  will  bring 
them  to  their  senses." 

"  And  make  them  bring  back  our  bands  ? "  I  ventured 
to  say. 

"Ah,  I'm  not  so  hopeful  about  that!"  cried  Uncle 
Bob.  "I'm  afraid  that  we  shall  have  to  buy  new 
ones." 

"  Yes,"  said  Uncle  Dick;  "  but  I  would  not  mind  that 
if  by  so  doing  we  could  get  the  men  to  behave  well  to 
us  in  the  future." 

"And  we  never  shall,"  said  Uncle  Jack,  "till  Cob 
here  ceases  to  be  such  a  tyrant.  The  men  are  afraid 
of  him." 

"  Why,  uncle!"  I  exclaimed;  and  they  all  laughed  at 
my  look  of  injury. 

That  night  Uncle  Jack  and  Uncle  Dick  kept  watch; 
next  night  we  took  our  turn  again,  and  so  matters 
went  on  for  a  week.  Now  and  then  we  saw  some  of 
our  men  idling  about,  but  they  looked  at  us  in  a  heavy 
stolid  way,  and  then  slouched  off. 


gentles'  opinions,  163 

The  works  seemed  to  be  very  melancholy  and  strange, 
but  we  went  there  regularl}^  enough,  and  when  we  had 
a  fire  going  and  stayed  in  there  was  no  doubt  about 
the  matter;  we  were  watched. 

Piter  grew  quite  well  again,  and  in  his  thick  head 
there  seemed  to  be  an  idea  that  he  had  been  very  badly 
used,  for,  as  he  walked  close  at  my  heels,  I  used  to  see 
him  give  the  workmen  very  ugly  looks  in  a  sidewise 
fashion  that  I  used  to  call  measuring  legs. 

One  morning  my  uncles  said  that  they  should  not 
go  to  the  works  that  day,  and  as  they  did  not  seem  to 
want  me  I  thought  I  would  go  back  and  put  a  project 
I  had  in  my  mind  in  force. 

I  had  passed  the  night  at  the  works  in  company  with 
Uncle  Jack,  and  all  had  been  perfectly  quiet,  so,  putting 
some  bones  in  the  basket  for  Piter,  I  also  thrust  in  some 
necessaries  for  the  task  I  had  in  hand,  and  started. 

About  half-way  there  I  met  Gentles,  the  fat-faced 
grinder,  and  he  shut  his  eyes  at  me  and  slouched  up 
in  his  affectionate  way. 

"  Ah !  Mester  Jacob,"  he  said,  "  when's  this  here  un- 
happy strike  going  to  end?" 

"  When  the  rascals  who  stole  our  bands  bring  them 
back,"  I  said,  "  and  return  to  their  work." 

"Ah!"  he  sighed,  "Pm  afraid  they  wean't  do  that, 
my  lad.  Hedn't  the  mesters  better  give  in,  and  not 
make  no  more  noof angle  stoof  ?" 

"Oh,  that's  what  you  think,  is  it.  Gentles?"  I  said. 

"  Who?  Me,  mester?  Oh, no:  I'm  only  a  pore  hard- 
working chap  who  wants  to  get  back  to  his  horse.  It's 
what  the  other  men  say.  For  my  part  I  wishes  as  there 
w^as  no  unions,  stopping  a  man's  work  and  upsetting 
him;  that  I  do.  Think  the  mesters'll  give  in,  Mester 
Jacob,  sir?" 

"  I'm  sure  they  will  not,  Gentles,"  I  said,  "  and  you 
had  better  tell  the  men  so." 

"  Nay,  I  durstn't   tell  'em.     Oh,  dear,  no,  Mester 


164  PANNELL   IS   CLOSE. 

Jacob,  sir.  I'm  a  quiet  peaceable  man,  I  am.  I  on'y 
wants  to  be  let  alone." 

I  went  on,  thinking,  and  had  nearly  reached  the  lane 
by  the  works,  when  I  met  Pannell,  who  was  smoking  a 
short  black  pipe. 

"Hello!"  he  cried. 

"Hello!  Pannell,"  I  said. 

"  Goin'  to  open  wucks,  and  let's  get  on  again,  lad  ? " 

"  Whenever  jou  men  like  to  bring  back  the  bands 
and  apologize,  Pannell." 

"  Nay,  I've  got  nowt  to  'pologize  for.  I  did  my  wuck, 
and  on'y  wanted  to  be  let  alone." 

"  But  you  know  who  took  the  bands,"  I  cried.  "You 
know  who  tried  to  poison  our  poor  dog  and  tried  to 
blow  up  the  furnace,  now  don't  you?" 

He  showed  his  great  teeth  as  he  looked  full  at  me. 

"  Why,  my  lad,"  he  said,  "  yow  don't  think  I'm  going 
to  tell,  do  'ee?" 

"  You  ought  to  tell,"  I  cried.  "  I'm  sure  you  know ; 
and  it's  a  cowardly  shame." 

"  Ay,  I  s'pose  that's  what  you  think,"  he  said  quietly. 
"But,  say,  lad,  isn't  it  time  wuck  began  again?" 

"  Time !  Yes,"  I  said.  "Why  don't  you  take  our  side, 
Pannell;  my  uncles  are  your  masters?" 

"Ay,  I  know  that,  lad,"  said  the  big  smith  quietly; 
"but  man  can't  do  as  he  likes  here  i'  Arrowfield.  Eh, 
look  at  that!" 

"Well,  mate,"  said  a  rough  voice  behind  me;  and  I 
saw  the  smith  start  as  Stevens,  the  tierce  grinder,  came 
up,  and  without  taking  any  notice  of  me  address  the 
smith  in  a  peculiar  way,  fixing  him  with  his  eye  and 
clapping  him  on  the  shoulder. 

"  Here,  I  want  to  speak  wi'  thee,"  he  said  sharply. 
"  Coom  and  drink." 

It  seemed  to  me  that  he  regularly  took  the  big  smith 
into  custody,  and  marched  him  off". 

This  set  me  thinking  about  how  they  must  be  all 


I  GO   A   FISHING.  165 

leagued  together;  but  I  forgot  all  about  the  matter  as 
I  opened  the  gate,  and  Piter  came  charging  down  at 
me,  delighted  to  have  company  once  more  in  the  great 
lonely  works. 

The  next  minute  he  was  showing  his  intelligence  by 
smelling  the  basket  as  we  walked  up  to  the  door  to- 
gether. 

I  gave  him  some  of  the  contents  to  amuse  him 
and  then  entering  the  deserted  grinding  shop,  walket, 
straight  to  the  door  at  the  end  opening  into  the  greaV. 
wheel-pit,  and  throwing  it  back  stood  upon  the  little 
platform  built  out,  and  looked  down  at  the  black  water, 
which  received  enough  from  the  full  dam  to  keep  it  in 
motion  and  make  the  surface  seem  to  be  covered  with 
a  kind  of  thready  film  that  was  always  opening  and 
closing,  and  spreading  all  over  the  place  to  the  very 
walls. 

It  looked  rather  black  and  unpleasant,  and  seemed 
to  be  a  place  that  might  contain  monsters  of  eels  or 
other  fish,  and  it  was  to  try  and  catch  some  of  these 
that  I  had  taken  advantage  of  the  holiday-time  and 
come. 

For  I  had  several  times  called  to  mind  what  Gentles 
had  said  about  the  fish  in  the  dam  and  pit,  and  meant 
to  have  a  turn;  but  now  I  was  here  everything  was  so 
silent  and  mysterious  and  strange,  that  I  rather  shrank 
from  my  task,  and  began  to  wonder  what  I  should  do 
if  I  hooked  some  monster  too  large  to  draw  out. 

"  What  a  coward  I  am !"  I  said  aloud;  and  taking  the 
stout  eel-line  I  had  brought,  and  baiting  the  two  hooks 
upon  it  with  big  worms,  I  gathered  up  the  cord  quite 
ready  and  then  made  a  throw,  so  that  my  bait  went 
down  right  beneath  the  wheel,  making  a  strange  echo- 
ing splash  tliat  whispered  about  the  slimy  walls. 

"  Looks  more  horrible  than  ever,"  I  said  to  myself, 
as  I  shook  off  my  dislike,  and  sat  down  on  the  little 
platform  with  my  legs  dangling  over  the  water. 


166  EEL  THE   FIRST. 

But  I  could  not  quite  shake  off  my  dread,  for  the 
feeling  came  over  me:  suppose  some  horrible  serpent- 
like water  creature  were  to  raise  its  head  out  of  the 
black  depths,  seize  me  by  the  foot,  and  drag  me  down. 

It  was  an  absurd  idea,  but  I  could  not  lioht  against 
it,  and  I  found  mj^self  drawing  my  legs  up  and  sitting 
down  tailor  fashion  with  my  feet  beneath  me. 

And  there  I  sat  with  not  a  sound  but  the  dripping 
water  to  be  heard,  and  a  curious  rustling  that  I  soon 
after  made  out  to  be  Piter  busy  with  his  bone. 

A  quarter  of  an  hour,  half  an  hour,  passed  away,  and 
I  did  not  get  a  touch,  so  drawing  up  my  line  I  restored 
the  baits  and  threw  in  again,  choosing  the  far-ofi'  corner 
of  the  pit  close  by  where  the  water  escaped  to  the 
stream  below. 

The  bait  had  not  been  down  a  minute,  and  I  was  just 
wondering  whether  Gentles  was  correct  about  there 
being  any  fish  there,  when  I  felt  the  line  softly  drawn 
through  my  fingers,  then  there  was  a  slight  quivering- 
vibration,  and  a  series  of  tiny  jerks,  and  the  line  began 
to  run  faster,  while  my  heart  began  to  beat  with  antici- 
pation. 

"  He  was  right,"  I  exclaimed,  as  I  tightened  the  line 
with  a  jerk,  and  then  a  sliarp  little  struggle  began,  as 
the  fish  I  had  hooked  rushed  hither  and  thither,  and 
fought  back,  and  finally  was  dragged  out  of  the  water, 
tying  itself  up  in  a  knot  which  bobbed  and  slipped 
about  upon  the  floor  as  I  dragged  it  iuto  the  grinding- 
room,  and  cut  the  line  to  set  it  free,  for  it  was  impos- 
sible to  get  the  hook  out  of  the  writhing  creature's 
jaws. 

It  was  an  eel  of  about  a  pound  weight,  and,  excited 
now  by  tlie  struggle,  1  fastened  on  a  fresh  hook,  baited 
it,  and  threw  in  the  same  place  again. 

Quite  half  an  hour  elapsed  before  I  had  another  bite, 
and  knowintj  how  nocturnal  these  creatures  are  in  their 
habits,  I  was  just  thinking  that  if  I  liked  next  time  I 


EEL   THE   SECOND.  167 

was  on  the  watch  I  might  throw  a  line  in  here,  and 
keep  catching  an  eel  every  now  and  then,  when — 

Check!  A  regular  sharp  jerk  at  the  line,  and  I 
knew  that  I  had  hooked  a  good  one,  but  instead  of  the 
line  tightening  it  suddenly  grew  quite  slack. 

For  a  moment  I  was  afraid  that  the  fish  had  broken 
away,  but  I  realized  directly  that  it  had  rushed  over 
to  my  side  of  the  wheel-pit,  and  it  had  come  so  swiftly 
that  I  began  to  think  that  it  could  not  be  an  eel. 

I  had  not  much  line  to  gather  in,  though,  before  I 
felt  the  check  aojain,  and  a  furious  tusj  given  so  hard 
that  I  let  the  line  run,  and  several  yards  were  drawn 
through  my  fingers  before  I  began  to  wonder  where 
the  eel  or  other  fish  I  had  hooked  had  gone. 

"  Perhaps  there  is  a  passage  or  drain  under  the 
works,"  I  thought  as  I  dragged  at  the  line,  now  to 
feel  some  answering  throbs;  but  the  fish  did  not  run 
any  farther,  only  remained  stationary. 

"  What  a  monster!"  I  cried,  as  I  felt  what  a  tremen- 
dous weight  there  was  against  me.  I  drew  the  line 
and  gained  a  little,  but  gave  way  for  fear  it  should 
break. 

This  went  on  for  ten  minutes  or  so.  I  was  in  a  state 
of  the  greatest  excitement,  for  I  felt  that  I  had  got  hold 
of  a  monster,  and  began  to  despair  of  dragging  it  up  to 
where  I  was.  Such  a  thing  seemed  impossible,  for  the 
line  would  give  way  or  the  hook  break  from  its  hold 
I  was  sure. 

In  place  of  jerking  about  now,  the  fish  was  very  still, 
exercising  a  kind  of  inert  force  against  its  captor;  but 
I  was  in  momentary  expectation  of  a  renewal  of  the 
battle,  and  so  powerful  did  the  creature  seem,  so  enor- 
mously heavy  was  it,  that  I  began  to  regret  my  success, 
and  to  wonder  what  the  consequences  would  be  if  I 
were  to  get  the  large  eel  up  there  on  the  floor. 

One  moment  I  saw  myself  flying  for  my  life  from 
a  huge  writhing  open-mouthed  creature,  and  saved  by 


168  hurrah! 

a  gallant  attack  made  by  Piter,  who,  hearing  the  noise, 
had  dashed  in  open-jawed  to  seize  the  fierce  monster 
by  the  neck;  the  next  I  was  calling  myself  a  donkey. 

"  Wh}',  of  course!"  I  cried.  "When  I  hooked  it  the 
creature  ran  in  towards  me,  and  has  darted  in  and  out 
of  some  grating  and  wound  the  line  tightly  there." 

That  could  not  be  the  case,  I  felt  as  I  pulled,  for 
though  it  was  evident  that  the  fish  had  entano-led  the 
line,  it  was  in  something  loose  which  I  got  nearly  to 
the  surface  several  times,  as  I  gazed  down  there  in 
the  darkness  till  all  at  once,  just  as  I  was  straining  my 
eyes  to  make  out  what  it  was  that  was  entangled  with 
my  hook,  the  cord  snapped,  there  was  a  dull  plash  below 
me,  the  water  rippled  and  babbled  against  the  side,  and 
all  was  still  once  more. 

I  stood  gazing  down  for  a  few  minutes,  and  then 
a  flash  of  intelligence  shot  through  me,  and  I  darted 
back,  rapidly  coiling  up  my  wet  line  and  taking  it  and 
my  basket  up  into  the  ofiice,  from  whence  I  came  hurry- 
ing out,  and  ready  to  dash  down  two  steps  at  a  time. 

"Why,  of  course,"  I  kept  on  saying  to  myself;  "what 
stupids!" 

I  ran  across  the  yard,  unlocked  and  relocked  the 
gate,  leaving  Piter  disappointed  and  barking,  and  hur- 
ried back  to  the  house,  where  my  uncles  were  busy 
over  some  correspondence. 

"Hurrah!"  I  cried.  "  I've  found  it  all  out.  Come 
along!     Down  to  the  works!" 

"You've  found  out!"  cried  Uncle  Dick  starting. 

"Found  it  all  out!"  I  cried  excitedly.  "Now,  then, 
all  of  you!     Come  on  and  see." 

1  slipped  down  to  Mrs.  Stephenson  after  telling  my 
uncles  to  go  slowly  on  and  that  I  would  overtake  them, 
and  that  lady  smiled  in  my  face  as  soon  as  she  saw  me. 

"Don't  say  a  word!"  she  cried.  "  I  know  what  you 
want.     Tattsey,  get  out  the  pork-pie." 

"  No,  no,"  I  cried;  "you  mistake.     I'm  not  hungry." 


I   GO    BORROWING.  1C9 

"  Nonsense,  my  dear!  and  if  you're  not  hungry  now, 
you  will  be  before  long.  I've  a  beautiful  raised  pie 
of  my  own  making.  Have  a  bit,  my  dear.  Bring  it, 
Tattsey." 

It  was,  I  found,  one  of  the  peculiarities  of  these 
people  to  imagine  everybody  was  hungry,  and  their 
hospitality  to  their  friends  was  without  stint. 

Tattsey  had  not  so  much  black-lead  on  her  face  as 
usual.  In  fact  it  was  almost  clean,  while  her  hands 
were  beautifully  white,  consequent  upon  its  being 
peggy  day;  that  is  to  say,  the  day  in  which  clothes 
were  washed  in  the  peggy  tub,  and  kept  in  motion  by 
a  four-legged  peggy,  a  curious  kind  of  machine  with  a 
cross  handle. 

So  before  I  could  say  another  word  the  pork-pie 
was  brought  out  on  the  white  kitchen-table,  and  Mrs. 
Stephenson  began  to  cut  out  a  wedge. 

"  May  I  take  it  with  me,"  I  said,  "and  eat  it  as  I  go 
along?" 

"Bless  the  boy;  yes,  of  course,"  said  our  homely 
landlady.  "Boys  who  are  growing  want  plenty  to 
eat.     I  hate  to  see  people  starve." 

"  But  I  want  you  to  do  me  a  favour,"  I  said. 

"  Of  course,  my  dear.     What  is  it  ? " 

'  I  want  you  to  lend  me  your  clothes-line." 

"  What,  that  we  are  just  going  to  put  out  in  the 
yard  for  the  clean  clothes?  I  should  just  think  not 
indeed." 

"How  tiresome!"  I  cried.  "Well,  never  mind;  I 
must  buy  a  bit.  But  will  you  lend  me  a  couple  of 
meat-hooks?" 

"  Now,  what  in  the  world  are  you  going  to  do  with 
a  clothes-line  and  two  meat-hooks?" 

"  I'm  going  fishing,"  I  said  impatiently. 

"  Now  don't  you  talk  nonsense,  my  dear,"  said  our 
plump  landlady,  looking  rather  red.  "  Do  you  think 
I  don't  know  better  than  that?" 


170  MEAT-HOOKS   AND   CLOTHES-LINE. 

"  But  I  am  ffoinor  fishins; "  I  cried. 

"Where?" 

"  In  our  wheel-pit." 

"  Then  there's  someone  drownded,  and  you  are  going 
to  fish  him  out." 

"No,  no,"  I  cried.     "Will  you  lend  me  the  hooks?" 

"  Yes,  I'll  lend  you  the  hooks,"  she  said,  getting  them 
out  of  a  drawer." 

"  We  sha'n't  want  the  old  clothes-line,"  said  Tattsey 
slowly. 

"  No,  we  sha'n't  want  the  old  clothes-line,"  said  Mrs. 
Stephenson,  looking  at  me  curiously.  "  There,  you  can 
have  that." 

"  I'll  tell  you  all  about  it  when  I  come  back,"  I  cried 
as  the  knot  of  clean  cord  was  ham  led  to  me;  and  put- 
ting an  arm  through  it  and  the  hooks  in  my  pocket 
I  started  off  at  a  run,  to  find  myself  face  to  face  with 
Gentles  before  I  overtook  my  uncles. 

"Goin^c  a  walluckinsr,  Mester  Jacob?"  he  said. 

"No;  I'm  going  a-fishing." 

"What,  wi'  that  line,  Mester?" 

"  Yes." 

"Arn't  it  a  bit  too  thick,  Mester?" 

''Not  in  the  least,  Gentles,"  I  said;  and  leaving  him 
rubbing  his  face  as  if  to  smooth  it  after  being  shaved, 
I  ran  on  and  overtook  my  uncles  just  before  we  reached 
the  works. 

"  Thouglit  you  weren't  coming,  Cob,"  said  Uncle 
Dick.     "  What  are  you  going  to  do  with  the  rope?" 

"  Have  patience,"  I  said  laughing. 

Just  then  we  passed  Stevens,  who  scowled  at  us  as 
he  saw  me  with  tlie  rope,  while  Pannell,  who  was  with 
him,  stared,  and  his  face  slowly  lit  up  with  a  broad  grin. 

They  turned  round  to  stare  after  us  as  we  went  to 
the  gate,  and  then  walked  off  quickly. 

"  \Vhat  does  that  mean,  oh,  boy  of  mystery?"  said 
Uncle  Jack. 


THE   BIG   CATCH.  171 

"  They  suspect  that  I  have  discovered  their  plans,"  I 
cried  joyfully. 

"And  have  you — are  you  sure?" 

"  Only  wait  five  minutes,  uncle,  and  you  shall  see,"  I 
cried. 

We  entered  the  works,  fastened  the  gate  after  us, 
and  then,  taking  the  end  of  my  fishing-line  as  soon  as 
we  reached  the  grinding-shop,  I  began  to  bind  the  two 
meat-hooks  one  across  the  other. 

"What,  are  you  going  to  try  for  eels  that  way?" 
said  Uncle  Bob  laughing,  as  my  uncles  seemed  to  be 
gradually  making  out  what  was  to  come. 

"  Well,"  I  said,  "  they  broke  my  other  line." 

By  this  time  I  had  fastened  the  hooks  pretty  firmly, 
and  to  the  cross  I  now  secured  the  end  of  the  clothes- 
line. 

"  Fine  eel  that.  Cob,"  said  Uncle  Dick,  hunting  the 
one  I  had  caught  into  a  corner,  for  it  had  been  travel- 
ling all  over  the  place. 

"Yes,"  I  said;  "and  now  the  tackle's  ready,  throw 
in  and  see  if  jon  can't  get  another." 

Uncle  Dick  went  straight  to  the  doorway,  stepped 
on  to  the  platform,  and  threw  in  the  hook,  which 
seemed  to  catch  in  something  and  gave  way  again. 

"Come,  I  had  a  bite,"  he  said  laughing.  "What  has 
been  thrown  in  here — some  bundles  of  wire  or  steel 
rods?" 

"  Try  again,"  I  said  laughing,  and  he  had  another 
throw,  this  time  getting  tight  hold  of  somethinof  which 
hung  fast  to  the  hooks,  and  came  up  dripping  and 
splashing  to  the  little  platform,  where  it  was  seized, 
and  Uncle  Bob  gave  a  shout  of  delight. 

"  Why,  I  never  expected  to  catch  that,"  cried  Uncle 
Dick. 

"  I  thought  it  was  some  stolen  rings  of  wire,"  said 
Uncle  Jack,  as  he  seized  hold,  and  together  they 
dragjred  a  great  tangle  of  leather  and  catgut  bands 


172  DRIVING   AN    EEL. 

over  the  platform  into  the  grinding-shop,  fully  half 
falling  back  with  a  tremendous  splash. 

"  Cob,  you're  a  hero,"  cried  Uncle  Dick. 

"The  malicious  scoundrels!"  cried  Uncle  Jack. 

"  Throw  in  again,"  said  Uncle  Bob. 

And  then  Uncle  Dick  fished  and  drao-ged  and  hauled 
up  tangle  after  tangle  till  there  was  quite  a  heap  of 
the  dripping  bands,  with  rivulets  of  water  streaming 
away  over  the  stone  floor,  and  right  in  the  middle  a 
monster  of  an  eel,  the  gentleman  I  had  hooked,  and 
which  had  wound  itself  in  and  out  of  the  catgut  bands 
till  it  was  held  tight  by  the  mouth. 

"  He  desei'ves  to  have  his  freedom,"  said  Uncle  Dick, 
as  he  gave  the  bands  a  shake  so  that  the  hook  came  out 
of  the  eel's  mouth,  and  it  began  to  writhe  and  twine 
about  the  floor. 

"  And  he  shall  have  it,"  I  cried,  taking  a  walking- 
stick,  and  for  the  next  five  minutes  I  was  employed 
trying  to  guide  my  prisoner  to  the  doorway  leading 
into  the  pit. 

I  suppose  you  never  tried  to  drive  an  eel?  No? 
Well,  let  me  assure  you  that  pig-driving  is  a  pleasant 
pastime  in  comparison.  We  have  it  on  good  authority 
that  if  you  want  to  drive  a  pig  in  a  particular  direc- 
tion all  you  have  to  do  is  to  point  his  nose  straight 
and  then  try  to  pull  him  back  by  the  tail.  Away  he 
goes  directly. 

Try  and  drive  a  big  thick  eel,  two  feet  six  inches 
long,  with  a  walking-.stick,  and  you'll  find  it  a  task 
that  needs  an  education  fir.st.  Put  his  head  straight, 
and  he  curves  to  right  or  left.  Pull  his  tail,  and  he'll 
turn  round  and  bite  you,  and  hold  fast  too.  ]\Iine 
turned  round  and  bit,  but  it  was  the  walking-stick  he 
seized  with  his  strong  jaw.s,  and  it  wanted  a  good  shake 
to  get  it  free. 

Every  way  but  the  right  would  that  eel  squirm  and 
wriggle.     I  chased  him  round  grind.stones,  in  and  out 


THE  BEST   day's   FISHING,  173 

of  water-troughs,  from  behind  posts  and  planks,  from 
under  benches,  but  I  could  not  get  him  to  the  door; 
and  I  firndy  believe  that  night  would  have  fallen  with 
me  still  hunting  the  slimy  wriggling  creature  if  Uncle 
Bob  had  not  seized  it  with  his  hands  after  throwing 
his  pocket-handkerchief  over  its  back. 

The  next  instant  it  was  curled  up  in  the  silk,  writhing 
itself  into  a  knot,  no  doubt  in  an  agony  of  fear,  if  eels 
can  feel  fear.  Then  it  was  held  over  the  pit,  the  hand- 
kerchief taken  by  one  corner,  and  I  expected  to  hear 
it  drop  with  a  splash  into  the  water;  but  no,  it  held  on, 
and  though  the  handkercliief  was  shaken  it  was  some 
time  before  it  would  quit  its  hold  of  the  silk,  a  good 
piece  of  which  was  tight  in  its  jaws. 

At  last:  an  echoing  splash,  and  we  turned  back  to 
where  my  Uncles  Jack  and  Dick  were  busy  with  the 
bands. 

"  The  best  day's  fishing  I  ever  saw.  Cob,"  cried  Uncle 
Jack.  "It  was  stupid  of  us  not  to  drag  the  pit  or  the 
dam  before." 

"  I  don't  know  about  stupid,"  said  Uncle  Bob.  "You 
see  we  thought  the  bands  were  stolen  or  destroyed. 
We  are  learning  fast,  but  we  don't  understand  yet  all 
the  pleasant  ways  of  the  Arrowfield  men." 

The  rest  of  the  day  was  spent  over  the  tiresome  job 
of  sorting  out  the  different  bands  and  hanging  them 
on  their  own  special  wheels  to  drain  or  dry  ready  for 
use,  and  when  this  was  done  there  was  a  feeling  of 
satisfaction  in  every  breast,  for  it  meant  beginning 
work  again,  and  Uncle  Bob  said  so. 

"Yes,"  said  Uncle  Jack;  "but  also  means  a  fresh 
attempt  to  stop  our  work  as  soon  as  the  scoundrels 
know." 

"  Never  mind,"  replied  Uncle  Dick.  "  It's  a  race  to 
see  who  will  tire  first:  the  right  side  or  the  wrong,  and 
I  think  I  know." 

"  What's  to  be  done  next  ? "  said  Uncle  Bob. 


174  ANOTHER   START. 

"  Let  the  men  know  that  we  are  ready  for  them  to 
come  back  to  work  if  they  like  to  do  so,"  said  Uncle 
Jack. 

"  Why  not  get  fresh  hands  altogether  ? " 

"  Because  they  would  be  just  as  great  children  as 
those  we  have  now.  No;  let  us  be  manly  and  straight- 
forward with  them  in  everything.  We  shall  fight  for 
our  place,  -but  we  will  not  be  petty." 

"  But  they  will  serve  us  some  other  scurvy  trick," 
said  Uncle  Bob. 

"Let  them,"  said  Uncle  Dick;  "never  mind.  There," 
he  cried,  "those  bands  will  be  fit  to  use  to-morrow  with 
this  clear  dry  air  blowing  through.  Let's  go  home 
now  and  have  a  quiet  hour  or  two  before  we  come  to 
watch." 

"I  wish,"  said  Uncle  Jack,  "that  the  works  joined 
our  house." 

"  Go  on  wishing,"  said  Uncle  Bob,  "and  they  won't 
join.     Now,  how  about  telling  the  men  ? " 

"  Let  s  call  and  see  Lunning  and  tell  him  to  start 
the  fires,"  said  Uncle  Dick;  and  as  we  went  back  the 
gate-keeper  was  spoken  to,  and  the  old  man's  face  lit 
up  at  the  idea  of  the  place  being  busy  again. 

"  And  I  hope,  gentlemen,"  he  whispered  from  behind 
his  hand,  "that  you  wall  be  let  alone  now." 

"To  which,"  said  Uncle  Bob  as  we  walked  on,  "I 
most  devoutly  say,  Amen." 


*iSiS^ 


w 


3- 


CHAPTER   XV. 


I    HAVE    AN    IDEA. 


HE  work  was  started  the  next  morning,  and 
for  a  fortnight  or  so  everything  went  on  in 
the  smoothest  manner  possible.  The  men 
were  quite  cheerful  and  good-tempered, 
doing  their  tasks  and  taking  their  wages,  and  though 
we  kept  our  regular  watch  nothing  disturbed  us  in  the 
slightest  degree. 

"An  so  you  fun  'em  in  the  wheel-pit,  did  you,  Mester 
Jacob?"  said  Gentles  to  me  one  dinner-hour  as  he  sat 
by  his  grindstone  eating  his  bread  and  meat  off  a  clean 
napkin  spread  over  his  knees. 

"  Yes,"  I  said,  looking  at  him  keenly. 

"  But  how  came  you  to  find  'em,  mester?" 

I  told  him. 

"Did  you,  now?"  he  cried,  shutting  his  eyes  and 
grinning.  "Think  o'  that!  Why,  I  put  you  up  to  the 
eels,  and  so  I  might  say  it  was  me  as  found  the  bands, 
only  you  see  it  was  not  you  nor  yet  me — it  was  the  eel." 

He  nearly  choked  himself  with  laughing,  but  my 
next  words  sobered  him,  and  he  sat  up  looking  pain- 
fully solemn  and  troubled  of  face. 

"I'll  be  bound  you  know  who  threw  those  bands 
into  the  water.  Gentles,"  I  said. 

One  of  his  eyes  quivered,  and  he  looked  at  me  as  if 
he  were  going  to  speak.     He  even  opened  his  mouth, 


17G  "don't  ask  me,  mester." 


and  I  could  see  his  tongue  quivering  as  if  ready  to 
begin,  but  he  shut  it  with  a  snap  and  shook  his  head. 

"  Don't  tell  any  stories  about  it,"  I  said;  "but  you  do 
know." 

"  Don't  ask  me,  mester,"  he  cried  with  a  groan.  "Don't 
ask  me." 

"  Then  you  do  know,"  I  cried. 

"  I  don't  know  nowt,"  he  said  in  a  hoarse  whisper. 
"Why,  man  alive,  it  wouldn't  be  safe  for  a  chap  like 
me  to  know  owt.  They'd  put  a  brick  round  my  neck 
and  throw  me  in  the  watter." 

"  But  you  do  know.  Gentles,"  I  persisted. 

"  I  don't  know  nowt,  I  tell  'ee,"  he  cried  angrily. 
"  Such  friends  as  we've  been,  Mester  Jacob,  and  you  to 
want  to  get  me  into  a  scrarp." 

"  Why,  Gentles!"  I  cried.  "If  you  know,  why  don't 
you  speak  out  like  a  man? " 

"  'Cause  I'm  a  man  o'  peace,  Mester  Jacob,  and  don't 
want  to  harm  nobody,  and  I  don't  want  nobody  to 
harm  me.     Nay,  I  know  nowt  at  all." 

"  Well,  I  think  you  are  a  contemptible  coward, 
Gentles,"  I  said  warmly.  "You're  taking  my  uncles' 
money  and  working  on  their  premises,  and  though 
you  know  who  has  been  base  enough  to  injure  them 
you  are  not  man  enough  to  speak." 

"Now  don't — don't — don't,  my  lad,"  he  cried  in  a 
hoarse  whisper.  "Such  friends  as  we've  been  too,  and 
you  go  on  like  that.  I  tell  'ee  I'm  a  man  of  peace,  and 
I  don't  know  nowt  at  all.  On'y  give  me  my  grinstone 
and  something  to  grind — that's  all  I  want." 

"And  to  see  our  place  blown  up  and  the  bands  des- 
troyed.    There,  I'm  ashamed  of  you,  Gentles,"  I  cried. 

"But  you'll  be  friends?"  he  said;  and  there  were 
tears  in  his  eyes. 

"Friends!  How  can  I  be  friends,"  I  cried,  "with  a 
man  like  you?" 

"  Oh  dear,  oh  dear! "  I  heard  him  groan  as  I  left  the 


I   VISIT    PANNELL.  177 

workshop;  and  going  to  Piter's  kennel  I  took  off  his 
collar  and  led  hira  down  to  the  dam  to  give  him  a 
swim. 

He  was  a  capital  dog  for  the  water,  and  thoroughly 
enjoyed  a  splash,  so  that  before  the  men  came  back  he 
had  had  a  swim,  shaken  himself,  and  was  stretched  out 
in  the  sunshine  under  the  wall  drying  himself,  when, 
as  I  stooped  to  pat  him,  I  noticed  something  about  the 
wall  that  made  me  look  higher  in  a  hurried  way,  and 
then  at  the  top,  and  turn  oft'  directly. 

I  had  seen  enough,  and  I  did  not  want  to  be  noticed, 
for  some  of  the  men  were  beQ-inning  to  come  back,  so 
stooping  down  I  patted  Piter  and  went  off  to  the  office. 

As  soon  as  the  men  were  well  at  work  I  went  into 
one  of  the  sheds,  where  there  were  two  or  three  holes 
under  the  benches  where  the  rats  came  up  from  the 
dam,  and  where  it  was  the  custom  to  set  a  trap  or  two, 
which  very  rarely  snared  one  of  the  busy  little 
animals,  though  now  and  then  we  did  have  that  luck, 
and  Piter  had  the  pleasure  of  killing  the  mischievous 
creature  if  the  trap  had  not  thoroughly  done  its  work. 

I  soon  found  what  I  wanted — an  old  rusty  spring- 
trap  with  its  sharp  teeth,  and,  shaking  off  the  dust,  I 
tucked  it  under  my  jacket  and  strolled  off  to  the 
smith's  shops,  where  I  found  Pannell  hammering  away 
as  hard  as  ever  he  could. 

He  was  making  reaping-hooks  of  my  uncles'  patent 
steel,  and  as  I  stood  at  the  door  and  watched  him  1 
counted  the  blows  he  gave,  and  it  was  astonishing  how 
regular  he  was,  every  implement  taking  nearly  the 
same  number  of  blows  before  he  threw  it  down. 

"  Well,  Pannell,"  I  said,  "arn't  you  sorry  to  have  to 
work  so  hard  ao^ain  ?  " 

He  whisked  a  piece  of  hot  steel  from  his  forge  and 
just  glanced  at  me  as  he  went  on  with  his  work,  laying 
the  glowing  sparkling  steel  upon  the  anvil. 

"  Sorry!" — hang — "no" — hang — "not  a" — hing,  hang, 

(322)  Al 


178  "it's  a  feight!" 

hang — "not  a" — hang,  hang,  hing,  hang,  hang — "bit  of 
it. 

Tliat  was  how  it  sounded  to  me  as  he  worked  away. 

"  Wife  " — bang — "  bairns  " — hing,  hang,  hang,  hing, 
danger,  chinger,  hing,  hang — "eight"  —  hang — "of 
'em.  I  hate" — haiig — "to  do" — hang — "nowt" — hang 
— "  but " — hang — "  smoke  all  " — hang — "  day." 

"I  say,  Pannell,"  I  said,  after  glancing  round  and 
seeing  that  we  were  quite  alone,  "how  came  you  to 
thi'ow  our  bands  in  the  wheel-pit?" 

"  What!"  he  cried,  pincers  in  one  hand,  hammer  in 
the  other;  and  he  looked  as  if  he  were  going  to  seize 
me  with  one  tool  and  beat  me  with  the  other,  "  Yah ! 
Get  out,  you  young  joker!     You  know  it  warn't  me." 

"  But  you  know  who  did  it." 

Pannell  looked  about  him,  through  the  window,  out 
of  the  door,  up  the  forge  chimney,  and  then  he  gave 
me  a  solemn  wink. 

"Then  why  don't  you  speak?" 

The  big  smith  took  a  blade  of  steel  from  the  fire  as 
if  it  were  a  flaming  sword,  and  beat  it  into  the  reap- 
ing-hook of  peace  before  he  said  in  a  hoarse  whisper: 

"  Men's  o'  one  side,  lad — unions.  Mesters  is  t'other 
side.     It's  a  feight." 

"  But  it's  so  cowardly,  Pannell,"  I  said. 

"Ay,  lad,  it  is,"  he  cried,  banging  away.  "But  I 
can't  help  it.  Union  says  strike,  and  yovi  hev  to  strike 
whether  j-ou  like  it  or  whether  you  don't  like  it,  and 
clem  till  it's  over." 

"  But  it's  such  a  cowardly  way  of  making  war,  to  do 
what  you  men  do." 

"  What  they  men  do,  lad,"  he  whispered. 

"  What  you  men  do,"  I  repeated. 

"  Nay,  they  men,"  he  whispered. 

"  You  are  one  of  them,  and  on  their  side,  so  what 
they  do  you  do." 

'  Is  that  so?"  he  said,  giving  a  piece  of  steel  such  a 


THE   TRADE.  179 

hard   bang   that   he  had   to  repeat  it  to  get  it  into 
shape. 

"  Of  course  it  is." 

"  Well,  I  s'pose  you're  right,  lad,"  he  said,  thought- 
fully. 

"  Why  don't  you  tell  me,  then,  who  threw  the  bands 
in  the  wheel-pit,  so  that  he  could  be  discharged?" 

"Me!     Me  tell!     ^'ay.     Look  at  that  now." 

That  was  a  piece  of  steel  spoiled  by  the  vehemence 
of  his  blows,  and  it  was  thrust  back  into  the  fire, 

"  I  will  not  say  who  gave  me  the  information,"  I 
said. 

He  shook  his  head. 

"  Nobody  shall  ever  know  that  you  told  me." 

He  took  a  little  hook  he  was  forging  and  made  a 
motion  with  it  as  if  I  were  a  stalk  of  wheat  and  he 
wanted  to  draw  me  to  him. 

"  Lad,"  he  said,  "  man  who  tells  on  his  mate  aren't  a 
man  no  lono^er.     I  am  a  man." 

We  stood  looking  at  each  other  for  some  time,  and 
then  he  said  in  his  rough  way: 

"  It  aren't  no  doing  o'  mine,  lad,  and  I  don't  like  it. 
It  aren't  manly.  One  o'  the  mesters  did  owt  to  me  as 
I  didn't  like  I'd  go  up  to  him  and  ask  him  to  tek  off 
his  coat  like  a  man  and  f eight  it  out,  or  else  I'd  go 
away;  but  man  can't  do  as  he  likes  i'  Arrowfield.  He 
has  to  do  what  trade  likes." 

"  And  it  was  the  trade  who  threw  our  bands  away, 
and  tried  to  blow  us  up,  and  half-poisoned  me  and 
Piter." 

"  Hah!"  he  said  with  a  sigh.     "  That's  it,  lad." 

"  Ah,  well,  I  didn't  expect  you'd  tell  me,  Pannell,"  I 
said,  smiling. 

"You  see  I  can't,  my  lad.     Now  can  I?" 

"  No;  it  wouldn't  be  honourable.  But  I  say,  Pannell, 
I  mean  to  do  all  I  can  to  find  out  who  plays  us  these 
dirty  tricks." 


180  A   DECENT   CHAP. 


The  big  smith  looked  about  him  before  speaking 


again. 


"Don't,  my  lad,"  he  whispered.  "Yow  might  get 
hurt,  and  I  shouldn't  like  that  i'deed." 

"Oh,  I  won't  get  hurt!"  I  said.  "Look  here,  Pannell, 
do  you  see  this?" 

"Ay,  lad.      Trap  for  the  rats.      I've  sin  scores  on 


em." 


"  We  set  them  to  catch  the  rats,"  I  said,  hesitating 
a  moment  or  two  before  making  my  venture.     "  I  say, 
Pannell,"  1  said,  "  we're  very  good  friends  you  and  I." 
"Course  we  are,  lad;  for  a  Londoner  you're  quite  a 
decent  chap." 

"  Thank  you,"  I  said,  smiling.  "  Well,  on  the  quiet, 
I  want  you  to  do  me  a  favour." 

"  Long  as  it  aren't  to  tell  on  my  mates,  lad,  I'll  do 
owt  for  you.     There!" 

That  there  was  as  emphatic  as  a  blow  from  his 
hammer  on  the  anvil. 

"  I  thought  you  would,  Pannell,"  I  said.  "  Well, 
look  here.  My  uncles  are  as  good  and  kind-hearted 
men  as  ever  lived." 

"And  as  nyste  to  work  for  as  ever  was,"  said  Pan- 
nell, giving  an  emphatic  bang  on  his  work  as  he 
hammered  away. 

"  Well,  I'm  very  fond  of  them,"  I  said. 
"  Nat'i-ally,  lad,  nat' rally." 

"  And  as  I  know  they're  trying  to  do  their  best  for 
everybody  who  works  for  thein,  as  well  as  for  them- 
selves, so  as  to  find  bread  for  all " 

I  stopped  just  then,  for  the  big  smith's  face  was  very 
red,  and  he  was  making  a  tremendous  clangour  with 
his  hammer. 

"  Well,"  I  said,  "it  worries  me  very  much  to  see  that 
every  now  and  then  a  big  rat  gets  to  their  sack  of 
wheat  and  gnaws  a  hole  in  it  and  lets  the  grain  run 


THE   QUESTION    OF   A   TRAP.  181 

"Whei'e  do  they  keep  their  wheat?"  said  Pannell, 
lea  vino;  off'  for  awhile. 

"  Here,"  I  said. 

"Ah!  there's  part  rats  about  these  here  rezzy- 
wors,"  he  said,  thoughtfully.  "  Why  don't  you  set  that 
trap?" 

"tJecause  it  isn't  half  big  enough — not  a  quar- 
ter big  enough,"  I  said;  "but  I  wish  to  catch  that 
rat,  and  I  want  }  ou  to  make  me  a  big  trap  like  this, 
only  four  times  as  large,  and  with  a  very  strong- 
spring." 

"Eh?" 

"  I  want  to  set  that  trap,  and  I  want  to  catch  that 
great  cowardlv  rat,  and  I  want  you  to  make  me  a  ti-ap 
that  will  hold"  him." 

"Eh?" 

"Don't  you  understand?"  I  said,  looking  at  him 
meaningly  as  he  stood  wiping  the  perspiration  from 
his  brow  with  the  back  of  his  hand. 

"Yow  want  to  set  a  trap  to  catch  the  big  rat  as 
comes  and  makes  a  hole  in  the  mester's  sack." 

"  Yes,"  I  said.     "  I  want  to  catch  him." 

"What!  here  about  the  works?" 

"Yes,"  I  said.     "  Now  do  you  see?" 

Poof! 

Pannell  gave  vent  to  a  most  curious  sound  that  was 
like  nothincr  so  much  as  one  that  mioht  have  been 
emitted  if  his  forge  bellows  had  suddenly  burst.  To 
give  vent  to  that  sound  he  opened  his  mouth  wide, 
clapped  his  hands  on  his  leather  apron,  and  bent  nearly 
double. 

"Why,  Pannell!"  I  exclaimed. 

Poof!  He  stamped  first  one  leg  on  the  black  iron 
dust  and  ashes,  and  then  the  other,  going  round  his 
anvil  and  grumbling  and  rumbling  internally  in  the 
most  extraordinary^  manner. 

Then  he  looked  me  in  the  face  and  exploded  once 


182  PANNELL   LAUGHS. 

more,  till  his  mirth  and  the  absurdity  of  his  antics 
grew  infectious,  and  I  laughed  too. 

"  And  you're  going  to  set  a  big  trap  to  catch  that 
there" — poof- — "that  theer  very  big  rat,  eh?" 

"  Yes,"  I  said,  "  if  I  can." 

"And  you  want  me,"  he  whispered,  with  his  eyes 
starting  with  suppressed  mirth,  "  to  make  you  that 
theer  big  trap." 

"  Yes." 

"Then  I'll  do  it,"  he  whispered,  becoming  preter- 
naturally  solemn.  "Stop!  'Tween  man  an'  man  you 
know." 

He  held  out  his  great  black  hard  hand,  which  I 
grasped. 

"  On  my  honour,  Pannell,  I'll  never  tell  a  soul  that 
you  made  the  trap,  not  for  ten  years,  or  twenty,  if  you 
like." 

"  That's  enough,"  he  said,  giving  his  leg  a  slap. 
"  Haw,  haw,  haw,  haw,  haw!  Here,  give  us  the  model. 
When  dyer  want  it,  ladT' 

"  As  soon  as  ever  you  can  get  it  made,  Pannell." 

He  looked  at  me  with  his  face  working,  and  scraping 
a  hole  in  the  ashes  he  buried  the  trap,  seized  hammer 
and  pincers,  and  worked  away  again,  but  stopped  every 
now  and  then  to  laugh. 

"  1  say,"  he  said  suddenly,  "  it'll  sarve  'em  right;  but 
if  they  knowed  as  I  did  it  they'd  wait  for  me  coming 
home  and  give  me  the  knobsticks.  Ay,  that  they 
would." 

"  But  they  will  not  know,  Pannell,"  I  said.  "  It's 
our  secret,  mind." 

"Hey,  but  I'd  like  to  see  the  rat  i'  the  trap!"  he 
whispered,  after  exploding  with  another  lit  of  mirth. 

"  Let's  have  the  trap  iirst,"  I  said.  "  I  don't  know 
that  I  shall  catch  him  then." 

"  What  are  you  going  to  bait  with  ?"  he  said  between 
two  fierce  attacks  upon  a  piece  of  steel. 


HOW   TO   BAIT   IT.  183 

"Oh,  T  have  not  settled  that  yet!" 

"  I'll  tell  ee,"  he  whispered  with  his  face  working. 
"  Bait  it  with  a  wheel-band." 

He  roared  with  laughter  again,  and  if  I  had  had  any 
doubts  before  of  his  understanding  that  I  wanted  a 
very  strong  man-trap,  I  had  none  now. 


CHAPTER   XVI. 


SOMETHING   FOR   ME. 


ASH — cruel — unwise.  Well,  I'm  afraid  it 
was  all  those,  but  I  was  only  a  Loy,  and  I 
was  stung  by  the  injustice  and  cowardly 
cruelty  of  the  outrages  perpetrated  on  us  by 
the  men  who  earned  their  bread  in  our  works;  and 
hence  it  was,  that,  instead  of  feeling  any  compunction 
in  doing  what  I  proposed,  I  was  delighted  with  the 
idea,  and  longed  for  an  oj)portunity  to  put  it  in  force. 

I  was,  then,  very  eager  to  begin,  for  the  present  calm, 
I  felt  sure,  was  only  going  before  the  storm,  and  after 
what  I  had  found  out  I  was  anxious  to  be  ready. 

Pannell  did  not  keep  me  waiting  long. 

Two  days  after  I  had  made  my  plans  with  him  I 
went  into  his  smithy,  and  in  answer  to  my  inquiring 
look  he  said,  in  a  heavy,  unmoved  way. 

"  Theer's  summut  for  you  hung  up  i'  the  forge 
chimney.  She  goes  hard,  but  theer's  a  steel  Vjar  'long 
wi'  her  as  you  can  prise  down  the  spring  till  she's  set. 
On'y  mind  thysen,  lad — mind  thysen." 

"And  will  it  hold  a  man,  Pannell?"  I  cried. 

"  Ay;  this  here's  noo  pattern.  I  haven't  got  into  it 
yet.     I've  got  a  rare  lot  of  'em  to  do." 

"But  tell  me,"  I  whispered,  "will  it?" 

"  Think  this  here  noo  steel's  better  than  owd  fashion 
stoof  ?"  he  said. 


"GOOD    LUCK   TO   TIIEE!"  185 

"Bother  the  steel!"  I  said,  speaking  lower  still.  "I 
want  you  to  tell  me  whether — " 

"  Bull-poop's  gettin'  too  fat,  Mester  Jacob,"  said 
Pannell.  "  Don't  give  'im  so  much  meat.  Spoils  a 
dorg.  Give  un  bones  as  he  can  break  oop  and  yeat. 
That's  the  stoof  for  dorofs.  Gives  un  such  a  coat  as 
never  was." 

"  Will  you  tell  me?"  I  began,  angrily. 

"  Nay,  I  wean't  tell  thee  nowt,"  he  growled.  "  I've 
telled  thee  enew  as  it  is.  Tek  it  when  I'm  not  here, 
and  good  luck  to  thee!" 

I  could  get  no  more  from  him,  for  he  would  not  say 
another  word  about  the  trap,  so  I  waited  impatiently 
for  the  nio-ht  so  that  I  mig-ht  smuo'o-le  it  from  the  foro^e 
chimney  into  my  desk. 

When  the  time  came  it  was  quite  absurd  how  many 
hindrances  there  were  to  my  little  task.  I  did  not 
v/ant  to  set  it  that  night.  I  only  wanted  to  get  it  in 
safety  to  my  desk;  but  first  there  were  men  hanging 
about  the  smithies  as  if  they  were  watching  me;  then 
there  were  my  uncles;  and  lastly,  there  was  Gentles, 
who  made  signs  that  he  wished  to  speak  to  me,  and  I 
didn't  care  to  say  anything  to  the  sleek,  oily  fellow, 
who  only  wanted  to  what  he  called  make  it  up. 

At  last,  though,  everyone  had  gone  but  Uncle  Jack, 
who  was  busy  writing  a  letter  or  two,  and  I  was  to 
wait  for  him,  and  we  were  goino-  back  too'ether. 

I  slipped  off  to  the  smithy,  and  just  as  I  was  half- 
way there  I  turned  quickly  round,  feeling  quite  cold, 
and  as  if  I  was  found  out,  for  I  heard  a  curious  yawn- 
ing noise  behind  me. 

It  was  only  Piter,  who  looked  up  in  my  face  and 
gave  his  tail  a  wag,  and  then  butted  his  great  head 
against  my  leg,  holding  it  tightly  there  as  if  it  was  so 
heavy  that  he  was  glad  to  give  it  a  rest. 

I  went  on  at  once  impatiently,  and  Piter's  head  sank 
down,  the  dog  uttering  a  low,  discontented  whine  on 


186  pannell's  production. 

being  left.  I  glanced  up  at  the  wall,  half  expecting  to 
see  some  one  looking  over  and  watching  me;  then  up  at 
the  windows,  fearing  that  one  of  the  men  might  still  be 
left. 

But  all  was  perfectly  quiet,  and  though  I  half  antici- 
pated such  an  accident  there  was  no  one  seated  on  the 
top  of  either  of  the  great  chimney-shafts  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood watching  me  with  a  telescope. 

I  had  a  few  more  absurdly  impossible  ideas  of  this 
kind  as  I  went  along  the  yard,  feeling  horribly  guilty 
and  ready  to  give  up  my  undertaking.  The  very 
silence  and  solitariness  of  the  place  startled  me,  but  I 
went  on  and  turned  in  at  the  open  door  of  the  smithy 
where  Panncll  worked,  and  breathed  more  freely  as  I 
looked  round  and  saw  that  I  was  alone. 

But  to  make  sure  I  stepped  up  on  to  the  work-bench 
and  looked  out  of  the  window,  but  there  was  nothing 
but  the  dam  to  be  seen  there,  and  I  leaped  down  and 
climbed  on  to  the  for^'e,  with  the  coal-dust  crushinsf 
under  my  feet,  gave  a  last  glance  round,  and  was  about 
to  peer  up  the  funnel-like,  sheet-iron  chimney,  when 
there  was  a  loud  clang,  and  I  bounded  down,  with  my 
heart  beating  furiously. 

I  stamped  my  foot  directly  after  and  bit  my  lips 
angrily  because  I  had  been  such  a  coward,  for  I  had 
moved  a  pair  of  smiths'  tongs  when  I  stepped  up,  and 
they  had  slid  otK  on  to  the  ground. 

"  I'm  doing  what  I  ought  not  to  do,"  I  said  to  my- 
self as  I  jumped  on  to  the  forge  again,  "  but  now  I've 
gone  so  far  I  must  go  on." 

I  peered  up  in  the  dark  funnel  and  could  see  nothing, 
but  I  had  come  prepared,  and  striking  a  match  I  saw 
just  before  me,  resting  on  a  sooty  ledge,  the  object  of 
my  quest. 

I  lifted  it  down,  astounded  at  its  size  and  weight, 
and  found  that  it  was  an  exact  imitation  of  the  rat- 
trap,  but  with  blunt  teeth,  and  a  short  steel  lever  with 


I   SHUT    IT   UP.  187 

a  point  like  a  crowbar  was  attached  to  it  by  means  of 
a  bit  of  wire. 

It  was  enormous,  and  I  quite  trembled  at  the  idea  of 
carrying  it  to  the  office;  but  after  a  sharp  glance  out  of 
the  doorway  I  took  hold  of  the  trap  by  the  iron  chain 
bound  round  it,  and  walked  quickly  to  my  own  place, 
lioping  that  even  if  I  had  been  seen,  the  watcher  would 
not  have  been  able  to  make  out  what  I  was  carrying. 

There  was  not  much  room  to  spare  when  I  had  laid 
the  great  trap  in  my  desk,  the  lid  of  which  would  only 
just  shut  down  over  it;  but  once  safely  there,  and  with 
the  key  in  the  lock  ready  for  me  to  turn  if  I  heard 
steps,  I  had  a  good  look  at  my  treasure. 

I  was  nervous  now,  and  half  repentant,  for  the  instru- 
ment looked  so  formidable  that  I  felt  that  I  should  not 
dare  to  use  it. 

I  had  a  good  look  though,  and  found  that  it  was 
very  complete  with  chain  and  ring,  and  that  the  lever 
had  a  head  to  it  like  a  pin,  evidently  so  that  after  it 
had  been  used,  it  could  be  placed  through  the  ring  at 
the  end  of  the  chain,  and  driven  down  to  act  as  a  peg 
in  the  ground. 

I  had  hardly  arrived  at  all  this  when  I  heard  Uncle 
Jack's  cough,  and  hastily  closing  the  desk  and  locking 
•it,  I  went  to  meet  him. 

"  Sorry  to  keep  you  waiting  so  long,  my  boy,"  he 
said ;  "  but  I  wanted  to  send  word  to  your  father  how 
we  are  going  on." 

It  was  on  the  second  night  that  I  put  my  plan  into 
practice. 

I  had  thought  it  all  well  out,  and  inspected  my 
ground,  which  was  just  below  the  wall,  pretty  close  to 
the  edge  of  the  dam,  where  I  had  seen  some  marks 
which  had  made  me  suspicious. 

So  as  soon  as  Uncle  Bob  had  gone  to  lie  down,  and 
I  had  begun  my  half  of  the  watch,  I  fastened  up  Piter, 
took  out  my  heavy  trap,  carried  it  down  to  the  edge 


188  I   SET   THE   TRAP. 

of  the  dam,  and  carefully  felt  the  wall  for  the  place  1 
had  marked  by  drivinsf  in  a  little  nail. 

I  soon  found  it,  placed  my  trap  exactly  beneath  it, 
and  wrenching  down  the  spring  by  means  of  the  lever, 
I  tried  to  set  it, 

I  bad  practised  doing  this  in  my  own  place,  and 
could  manage  it  pretty  well,  but  in  the  darkness  and 
excitement  that  troubled  me  now,  it  proved  to  be  an 
exceedingly  difficult  job.  Twice  I  managed  to  get  it 
set,  and  was  moving  away  when  it  went  off  with  a 
startling  clang  that  made  me  jump,  and  expect  to  see 
Uncle  Bob  come  running  out,  especially  as  the  dog  set 
up  a  furious  bark. 

I  quieted  Piter  though  each  time,  and  went  and  tried 
again  till  I  managed  my  task,  having  to  take  great 
care  that  I  did  not  hoist  myself  with  my  own  petard, 
for  it  was  a  terribly  dangerous  engine  that  I  was  setting, 
though  I  did  not  think  so  then. 

It  was  now  set  to  my  satisfaction,  and  being  quite 
prepared  with  a  big  hannner,  my  next  task  was  to 
drive  in  the  lever  like  a  peg  right  through  the  ring 
and  up  to  the  head,  so  that  if  I  did  catch  my  bird, 
there  would  be  no  chance  of  his  getting  away. 

I  felt  about  in  the  dark  for  a  suitable  place,  and  tlie 
most  likely  seemed  to  be  just  at  the  extent  of  the  five 
feet  of  chain,  which  reached  to  the  edge  of  the  dam, 
where,  between  two  of  the  big  stones  of  the  embank- 
ment, I  fancied  I  could  drive  in  the  lever  so  that  it 
could  not  be  drawn  out. 

So  taking  the  steel  bar  with  the  sharp  edge  I  ran  it 
through  the  ring,  directed  the  point  between  two  blocks 
of  stone,  and  then  began  to  drive. 

As  1  said  I  was  well  prepared,  having  carefully 
thought  out  the  whole  affair,  and  I  had  bound  several 
thicknesses  of  cloth  over  the  head  of  the  hammer  like 
a  pad  so  as  to  muitie  the  blows,  and  thus  it  was  that 
I  was  able  to  drive  it  home  without  much  noise. 


THE    NEXT   MORNING.  189 

At  first  it  went  in  so  easily  that  I  was  about  to  select 
a  fresh  place,  but  it  soon  became  harder  and  firmer, 
and  when  I  had  done  and  felt  the  head  it  was  quite 
immovable,  and  held  the  ring  close  down  to  the  stones. 

My  idea  had  been  to  cover  the  trap  with  a  handful 
or  two  of  hay,  but  it  was  so  dark  that  I  thought  I 
w^ould  leave  it,  as  it  was  impossible  to  see  it  even  from 
where  I  looked.  I  left  it,  meaninsf  to  come  the  next 
mornmg  and  set  it  free  wdth  a  file,  for  I  did  not  want  to 
take  up  the  |)eg,  and  I  could  get  another  for  lever  and 
join  the  chain  with  a  strong  padlock  the  next  time. 

It  was  about  eleven  o'clock  when  I  had  finished  my 
task,  and  I  did  not  know  whether  to  be  pleased  or 
alarmed.  I  felt  something  like  a  boy  might  who  had 
set  a  bait  at  the  end  of  a  line  to  catch  a  crocodile,  and 
was  then  very  much  alarmed  for  fear  he  should  have 
any  luck. 

I  crept  away  and  waited,  thinking  a  great  deal 
about  Piter,  and  what  would  be  the  consequences  if  he 
walked  over  the  trap,  but  I  argued  that  the  chances 
were  a  hundred  thousand  to  one  against  his  ofoing  to 
that  particular  spot.  Besides,  if  I  left  him  chained  up 
Uncle  Bob  was  not  likely  to  unloose  him,  so  I  deter- 
mined to  run  the  risk,  and  leave  the  trap  set  when  I 
went  off  guard. 

The  time  went  slowly  b ,'  without  any  alarm,  and 
though  I  went  now  and  then  cautiously  in  the  direction 
of  my  trap  it  had  not  been  disturbed,  and  I  came  aw^ay 
more  and  more  confident  that  it  was  in  so  out  of  the 
way  a  part  of  the  yard  that  it  might  be  there  for  weeks 
unseen. 

I  felt  better  after  this,  and  at  the  appointed  time 
called  Uncle  Bob,  who  took  his  watch,  and  when  he 
called  me  in  the  morning  the  wheel  was  turning,  and 
the  men  were  coming  up  to  their  work. 

"  I  thought  you  were  tired,  Cob,  so  I  let  you  lie  till 
the  last  moment." 


190  I   FEEL   UNCOMFORTABLE. 

I  was  so  stupid  and  confused  with  sleep  that  I  got 
up  yawning;  and  we  were  half-way  back  home  be- 
fore, like  a  Hash,  there  came  to  me  the  recollection  of 
my  trap. 

I  could  not  make  an  excuse  and  go  back,  though  I 
tried  hard  to  invent  one;  but  went  on  by  my  uncle's 
side  so  quiet  and  thoughtful  that  he  made  a  remark. 

"  Bit  done  up,  Cob!  You  ought  to  have  another  nap 
after  dinner." 

"  Oh,  I'm  all  right,  uncle,"  I  said,  and  I  went  on  home 
with  him  to  have  steel-traps  for  breakfast  and  think 
of  nothing  else  save  what  they  had  caught. 

For  I  felt  perfectly  sure  that  someone  had  come 
over  the  wall  in  the  night — Stevens  I  expected  it 
would  prove  to  be— and  had  put  his  foot  right  in  the 
trap,  which  had  sprung,  caught  him  by  the  leg,  and 
cut  it  right  off,  and  I  felt  sure  that  when  I  got  back  I 
should  hnd  him  lying  there  where  he  had  bled  to 
death. 

The  next  thing  that  struck  me  was  that  I  was  a 
nmrderer,  and  that  I  should  be  tried  and  condemned 
to  death,  but  respited  and  sentenced  to  transportation 
for  life  on  account  of  my  youth. 

With  such  thoughts  as  these  rushing  through  my 
brain  it  was  not  likely  that  I  should  enjoy  the  break- 
fast with  the  brown  and  pink  ham  so  nicely  fried,  and 
the  eggs  that  were  so  creamy  white,  and  with  such 
yolks  of  gold. 

I  did  iKjt  enjoy  that  breakfast,  and  I  was  feverishly 
anxious  to  get  back  to  the  works,  and  though  first 
one  and  then  another  advised  me  to  go  and  lie  down, 
I  insisted  upon  going. 

I  was  all  in  a  tremble  as  I  reached  the  gate,  and  saw 
old  Dunning's  serious  face.  I  read  in  it  reproach,  and 
he  seemed  to  be  saying  to  me,  "  Oh,  how  could  you  do 
it?"  Seemed,  for  what  he  did  say  was,  "Nice  pleasant 
morning,  Mester  Jacob!" 


WHAT   LUCKI  191 

I  told  a  story,  for  I  said,  "  Yes,  it  is,"  when  it  was  to 
me  the  most  painful  and  miserable  morning  I  had  ever 
experienced;  but  I  dared  not  say  a  word,  and  for  some 
time  I  could  not  lind  an  opportunity  for  going  down 
the  yard. 

Nobody  ever  did  go  down  there,  unless  it  was  to 
wheel  a  worn-out  grindstone  to  a  resting-place  or  to 
carry  some  broken  woodwork  of  the  machinery  to 
throw  in  a  heap.  There  was  the  heap  of  coal  and  the 
heap  of  slack  or  coal-dust,  both  in  the  yard;  but  those 
who  fetched  the  coal  and  slack  fetched  them  from  this 
side,  and  they  never  went  on  the  other. 

The  last  time  I  could  recall  the  men  going  down 
there  to  the  dam,  was  when  we  threw  in  Piter  to  give 
him  a  bath. 

Piter!  Had  he  been  let  loose?  The  thought  that  had 
come  of  him  was  startling,  but  easily  set  right,  for  there 
was  the  bull-dog  fast  asleep  in  his  kennel. 

Then  there  was  Stevens! 

The  thouoht  was  horrible.  He  ought  to  be  in  the 
grinding  shop,  and  if  he  were  not — I  knew ! 

It  would  have  been  easy  to  go  and  look,  but  I  felt 
that  I  could  not,  and  I  walked  back  to  the  gate  and 
spoke  to  old  Dunning. 

"All  the  men  come  yet?"  I  said. 

"No,  Mester  Jacob,  they  hevn't  all  come  yet,"  he  said. 

I  dare  not  ask  any  more.  All  had  not  come,  and  one 
of  those  who  had  not  come  was,  of  course,  Stevens,  and 
he  was  lying  there  dead. 

I  walked  back  with  Cunning's  last  words  ringing  in 
my  ears. 

"Ain't  you  well,  Mester  Jacob?" 

No,  I  was  not  well.  I  felt  sick  and  miserable,  and  I 
would  have  given  anything  to  have  gone  straight  down 
the  yard  and  seen  the  extent  of  the  misery  I  had  caused. 

Oh!  if  I  could  have  recalled  the  past,  and  undone 
everything;  but  that  was  impossible,  and  in  a  state  of 


192  IS    IT   STEVENS? 

feverish  anxiety  I  went  upstairs  to  where  the  men 
were  busy  at  hithe  and  dry  grindstones,  to  try  and  get 
a  glimpse  of  my  trap,  as  I  hoped  I  could  from  one  of 
the  windows. 

To  my  horror  there  were  two  men  looking  out,  and 
I  stopped  dumbfoundered  as  I  listened  for  their  words, 
which  I  knew  must  be  about  the  trapped  man  lying- 
there. 

"Nay,  lad,"  said  one,  "yow  could  buy  better  than  they 
at  pit's  mouth  for  eight  shillings  a  chaldron." 

Oh,  what  a  relief !  It  was  like  life  to  me,  and  going  to 
one  window  I  found  that  they  could  only  see  the  heap 
of  coals. 

From  the  other  windows  there  was  no  better  view. 
Even  from  the  room  over  the  water-wheel  there  was 
no  chance  of  a  glimpse  of  the  trap. 

I  could  not  stop  up  there,  for  I  was  all  of  a  fret,  and 
at  last,  screwing  up  my  nerves  to  the  sticking  point,  I 
went  down  determined  to  go  boldly  into  the  grinder's 
shop,  and  see  if  Stevens  was  there. 

What  an  effort  it  was!  I  have  often  wondered  since 
whether  other  boys  would  have  suffered  what  I  did 
under  the  circumstances,  or  whether  I  was  a  very  great 
coward. 

Well,  coward  or  no,  I  at  last  went  straight  into  the 
grinder's  shop,  and  there  was  the  plashing  rumble  of 
the  great  water-wheel  beyond  the  door,  the  rattle  of 
the  bands  and  the  whirr  and  whirl  and  screech  of  the 
grindstones  as  they  spun  round,  and  steel  in  some  form 
or  other  was  lield  to  their  edge. 

There  were  half  a  dozen  faces  I  knew,  and  there  was 
Gentles  ready  to  smile  at  me  with  his  great  mouth  and 
closed  eyes. 

But  I  could  only  just  glance  at  him  and  nod,  for  to 
my  horror  Stevens'  wheel  was  not  going,  and  there 
was  no  one  there. 

I  felt  the  cold  sweat  gather  all  over  my  face,  and  a 


no!  193 

horrible  sensation  of  dread  assailed  me;  and  then  I 
turned  and  hurried  out  of  the  buildino-,  so  that  my 
ghastly  face  and  its  changes  should  not  be  seen. 

For  just  then  I  saw  Stevens  rise  up  from  behind  his 
grindstone  with  an  oil-can  in  his  hand — he  had  been 
busy  oiling  some  part  or  other  of  the  bearings. 


(322) 


CHAPTER    XVII. 


MY    TRAVELLING    COMPANION. 


OMEHOW  or  another  I  could  not  get  to  that 
trap  all  that  day,  and  night  came,  and  still 
I  could  not  get  to  it. 

I  tried,  but  unless  I  had  wanted  to  draw 
people's  attention  to  the  fact  that  I  had  something 
there  of  great  interest,  I  could  not  go. 

Even  at  lea\ing  time  it  was  as  bad,  and  I  found 
myself  in  the  position  that  1  must  either  tell  one  of  my 
uncles  what  I  had  done,  or  leave  the  trap  to  take  its 
chance. 

I  chose  the  latter 
coward,  went  home, 


plan,  and  calling  myself  weak 
arguing  to  myself  that  no  one 
would  go  in  the  spot  where  I  had  placed  the  trap,  but 
some  miscreant,  and  that  it  would  serve  him  right. 

To  my  utter  astonishment,  directly  after  tea  Uncle 
Dick  turned  to  me. 

"Cob,"  he  said;  "we  have  a  special  letter  to  send  to 
Canonbury  to  your  father,  and  a  more  particular  one 
to  bring  back  in  answer,  so  we  have  decided  tliat  you 
shall  take  it  up.  You  can  have  three  or  four  days' 
holiday,  and  it  will  be  a  pleasant  change.  Your  mother 
and  father  will  be  delighted  to  see  you,  and,  of  course, 
you  will  be  glad  to  see  them." 

"But  when  should  I  have  to  go?"  I  said. 

"To-night   by  the  last   train.      Quarter   to   eleven 


LONDON,    ho!  195 

— You'll  get  to  London  about  three  in  the  morning. 
They  expect  one  of  us,  so  you  will  tiud  tlieiu  up." 

"But—" 

"Don't  you  want  to  go?"  said  Uncle  Jack  severely. 

"Yes,"  I  said;  "but—" 

"But  nie  no  buts,  as  the  man  said  in  the  old  play. 
There,  get  ready,  boy,  and  come  back  to  us  as  soon  as 
you  can.  Don't  make  the  worst  of  our  troubles  here. 
Cob." 

"No,  no,"  said  Uncle  Dick,  because  we  are  getting  on 
famously  as  soon  as  we  can  manage  the  men." 

"And  that  we  are  going  to  do,"  said  Uncle  Bob. 
"  I  say  I  wish  I  were  coming  with  you." 

"Do,  then,"  I  cried. 

"  Get  out,  you  young  tempter !  No,"  said  Uncle 
Bob.  "Go  and  take  your  pleasure,  and  have  pity  upon 
the  three  poor  fellows  who  are  toiling  here." 

I  was  obliged  to  go,  of  course,  but  I  must  tell  them 
about  the  trap  lirst. 

Tell  them!  No,  I  could  not  tell  Uncle  Dick  or  Uncle 
Jack.  I  was  afraid  that  they  would  be  angry  with  me, 
so  I  resolved  to  speak  to  Uncle  Bob  before  I  went — to 
take  him  fully  into  my  confidence,  and  ask  him  to  move 
the  trap  and  put  it  safely  away. 

It  is  so  easy  to  make  plans — so  hard  to  carry  them 
out. 

All  through  that  evening  I  could  not  once  get  a 
chance  to  speak  to  Uncle  Bob  alone;  and  time  w^ent  so 
fast  that  we  were  on  our  way  to  the  station,  and  still 
I  had  not  spoken.  There  w^as  only  the  chance  left — 
on  the  platform. 

"  Don't  look  so  solid  about  it,  Cob,"  said  Uncle  Jack. 
"They'll  be  delighted  to  see  you,  boy,  and  it  will  be  a 
pleasant  trip.     But  we  want  you  back." 

"I  shoulcl  think  w^e  do,"  said  Uncle  Dick,  laying  his 
great  hand  on  my  shoulder  and  giving  me  an  atfec- 
tionate  grip. 


196  MY   LAST  WORDS. 

"Yes,  we  couldn't  get  on  without  our  first  lieutenant, 
Philosopher  Cob,"  said  Uncle  Bob. 

I  tried  to  look  bright  and  cheerful;  but  that  trap 
had  not  got  me  by  the  leg — it  seemed  to  be  round  my 
neck  and  to  choke  me  from  speaking. 

What  was  1  to  do?  I  could  not  get  a  chance.  I 
dare  not  go  away  and  leave  that  trap  there  without 
speaking,  and  already  there  was  the  distant  rumble  of 
the  coming  train.  In  a  few  minutes  I  should  be  on 
my  way  to  London;  and  at  last  in  despair  I  got  close 
to  Uncle  Bob  to  speak,  but  in  vain — I  was  put  off. 

In  came  the  train,  drawing  up  to  the  side  of  the 
platform,  and  Uncle  Bob  ran  off  to  find  a  comfortable 
compartment  for  me,  looking  after  me  as  kindly  as  if 
I  had  been  a  woman. 

"Oh,"  I  thought,  "if  he  would  but  have  stayed!" 

"Good-bye,  my  lad!"  said  Uncle  Dick. 

"  Take  care  of  yourself,  Cob,  and  of  the  packet," 
whispered  Uncle  Jack. 

I  was  about  to  slap  my  breast  and  say,  "All  right 
here!"  but  he  caught  my  hand  and  held  it  down. 

"  Don't,"  he  said  in  a  low  half-angry  voice.  "  Dis- 
cretion, boy.  If  you  have  something  valuable  about 
you,  don't  show  people  where  it  is." 

I  saw  the  wisdom  of  the  rebuke  and  shook  hands. 

"  I'll  try  and  be  wiser,"  I  whispered ;  "  trust  me." 

He  nodded,  and  this  made  me  forget  the  trap  for 
the  moment.  But  Uncle  Bob  grasped  my  hand  and 
brouffht  it  back. 

"  Stand  away,  please,"  shouted  the  guard;  but  Uncle 
Bob  held  on  by  my  hand  as  the  train  moved. 

"  Take  care  of  yourself,  lad.  Call  a  cab  the  moment 
you  reach  the  platform  if  your  father  is  not  there." 

"Yes,"  I  said,  reaching  over  a  fellow-passenger  to 
speak.  "  Uncle  Bob,"  I  added  quickly,  "  big  trap  in 
the  corner  of  the  yard;  take  it  up  at  once — to- 
night." 


THE    KEEN-LOOKING   MAN.  197 

"Yes,  yes,"  he  said  as  he  ran  along  the  platform. 
"I'll  see  to  it.     Good-bye!" 

We  were  otf  and  he  was  waving  his  hand  to  me,  and 
I  saw  him  for  a  few  moments,  and  then  all  was  indis- 
tinct beneath  the  station  lamps,  and  we  were  gliding 
on,  with  the  glare  and  smoke  and  glow  of  the  busy 
town  lighting  up  the  sky. 

It  had  all  come  to  me  so  suddenly  that  I  could  hardly 
believe  I  was  speeding  away  back  to  London;  but  once 
more  comfortable  in  my  mind  with  the  promise  that 
Uncle  Bob  had  made  to  take  up  the  trap,  I  sat  back 
in  the  comfortable  corner  seat  thinking  of  seeing  my 
father  and  mother  again,  and  of  what  a  series  of  ad- 
ventures I  should  have  to  relate. 

Then  I  had  a  look  round  at  my  fellow-passengers,  of 
whom  there  were  three — a  stout  old  gentleman  and  a 
young  lady  who  seemed  to  be  his  daughter,  and  a  dark- 
eyed  keen-looking  man  who  was  seated  opposite  to 
me,  and  who  held  a  newspaper  in  his  hand  and  had  a 
couple  of  books  with  him. 

"  I'd  offer  to  lend  you  one,"  he  said,  touching  his 
books  and  smiling;  "but  you  couldn't  read — I  can't. 
Horrible  lights." 

Just  then  a  heavy  snore  from  the  old  gentleman 
made  the  young  lady  lean  over  to  him  and  touch  him, 
waking  him  up  with  a  start. 

The  keen-looking  man  opposite  to  me  raised  his 
eyebrows  and  smiled  slightly,  shading  his  face  from 
the  other  occupants  with  his  newspaper. 

Three  or  four  times  over  the  old  gentleman  dropped 
asleep  and  had  to  be  roused  up,  and  my  fellow-passen- 
ger smiled  good-humouredly  and  said: 

"  Might  as  well  have  let  him  sleep." 

This  was  in  a  whisper,  and  he  made  two  or  three 
remarks  to  me. 

He  seemed  very  much  disposed  to  be  friendly  and 
pointed  out  the  lights  of  a  distant  town  or  two. 


198  MY   FELLOW-PASSENGER   IS   FRIENDLY. 

"  Got  in  at  Arrowfield,  didn't  you?"  he  said  at  last. 

I  re])lied  that  I  did;  and  it  was  on  the  tip  of  my 
tongue  to  say,  "  So  did  you,"  but  I  did  not. 

"  I'm  going  on  to  London,"  he  said.  "  Nasty  time  to 
get  in — three  in  the  morning.  I  hate  it.  No  one 
about.  Night  cabs  and  milk  carts,  police  and  market 
wagons.  People  at  the  hotel  always  sleepy.  Ah!  here 
we  are  at  Westernbow." 

For  the  train  was  stopping,  and  when  it  did  draw 
up  at  the  platform  the  old  gentleman  was  roused  up 
by  the  young  lady,  and  they  got  out  and  left  us  alone. 

"Ha!  ha!"  said  my  companion,  "that's  better.  Give 
us  room  to  stretch  our  legs.     Do  you  bet?" 

"  No,"  I  said,  "  never." 

"Good,  lad!  Don't;  very  bad  habit.  I  do;  I've  lots 
of  bad  habits.  But  I  was  going  to  say,  I'll  bet  you  an 
even  half-crown  that  we  don't  have  another  passenger 
from  here  to  London." 

"  I  hope  we  shall  not,"  I  said  as  I  thought  of  a  nap 
on  the  seat. 

"  So  do  I,  sir — so  do  I,"  he  said,  nodding  his  head 
quickly.  "  I  vote  we  lie  down  and  make  the  best  of  it 
— by  and  by.     Have  a  cigar  first?" 

"Thank  you;  I  don't  smoke,"  I  said. 

"I  do.  Will  you  excuse  me  if  I  have  a  cigar?  Not 
a  smoking  carriage — more  comfortable." 

I  as.sured  him  that  I  should  not  mind;  and  he  took 
out  a  cigar,  lit  it,  and  began  to  smoke. 

"  Better  have  one,"  he  said.  "  Mild  as  mild.  They 
won't  hurt  you." 

I  thanked  him  again  and  declined,  sitting  back  and 
watching  him  as  he  smoked  on  seeming  to  enjoy  his 
cigar,  and  made  a  remark  or  two  about  the  beautiful 
night  and  the  stars  as  the  train  dashed  on. 

After  a  time  he  took  out  a  flask,  slipped  off  the  plated 
cup  at  the  bottom,  and  unscrewed  the  top,  pouring  out 
afterward  some  clear-looking  liquid. 


I   REFUSE   TO   DRINK.  199 

"Have  a  drink?"  he  said,  offering  me  the  flask-cup; 
but  I  shook  my  head. 

"  No,  thank  you,"  I  said;  and  somehow  I  began 
thinking  of  the  water  I  had  drunk  at  the  works,  and 
which  had  made  me  so  terribly  sleepy. 

I  don't  know  how  it  was,  but  I  did  think  about  that, 
and  it  was  in  my  mind  as  he  said  laughingly: 

"What!  not  drink  a  little  drop  of  mild  stuff"  like 
that?     Well,  you  are  a  fellow!     Why  it's  like  milk." 

He  seemed  to  toss  it  off! 

"  Better  have  a  drop,"  he  said. 

I  declined. 

"  Nonsense !  Do,"  he  cried.  "  Do  you  good.  Come, 
have  a  drink." 

He  grew  more  persistent,  but  the  more  persistent  he 
was  the  more  I  shrank  from  the  cup  he  held  in  his 
hand;  and  at  last  I  felt  sorry,  for  he  seemed  so  kind 
that  it  was  ungracious  of  me  to  refuse  him  so  simple 
a  request. 

"Oh,  very  well!"  he  said,  "just  as  you  like.  There 
will  be  the  more  for  me." 

He  laughed,  nodded,  and  drank  the  contents  of  the 
cup  before  putting  the  screw-top  on  the  ffask,  thrust- 
ing it  in  his  breast-pocket,  and  then  making  a  cushion 
of  his  railway  wrapper  he  lay  at  full  length  upon  the 
cushion,  and  seemed  to  compose  himself  to  sleep. 

It  was  such  a  good  example  that,  after  a  few  minutes' 
silence,  I  did  the  same,  and  lay  with  my  eyes  half  closed, 
listeninof  to  the  dull  rattle  of  the  train,  and  thinking 
of  the  works  at  Arrowffeld,  and  what  a  good  job  it  was 
that  I  spoke  to  Uncle  Bob  about  the  trap. 

Then  I  hoped  he  would  not  be  incautious  and  hurt 
himself  in  letting  off"  the  spring. 

I  looked  across  at  my  fellow-traveller,  who  seemed 
to  be  sleeping  soundly,  and  the  sight  of  his  closed  eyes 
made  mine  heavy,  and  no  wonder,  for  every  other 
night  1  had  been  on  guard  at  the  works,  and  that 


200  A   HORRIBLE   AWAKENING. 

seemed  to  shorten  my  allowance  of  sleep  to  a  terrible 
degree. 

I  knew  there  could  be  no  mistake,  for  I  was  going 
as  far  as  the  ti-ain  went,  and  the  guard  would  be  sure 
to  wake  me  up  if  I  was  fast  asleep. 

And  how  satisfactory  it  seemed  to  be  lying  there  on 
the  soft  cushions  instead  of  walking  about  the  works 
and  the  yard  the  previous  night.  I  was  growing  more 
and  more  sleepy,  the  motion  of  the  train  serving  to 
lull  me;  and  then,  all  at  once,  I  was  wide-awake  staring 
at  the  bubble  of  glass  that  formed  the  lamp  in  the  ceil- 
insf,  and  wonderino;  where  I  was. 

I  recollected  directly  and  glanced  at  my  fellow- 
traveller,  to  see  that  he  was  a  little  uneasy,  one  of  his 
legs  being  off  the  seat;  but  he  was  breathing  heavily, 
and  evidently  fast  asleep. 

I  lay  watching  him  for  a  few  minutes,  and  then  the 
sweet  restful  feelino-  mastered  me  afjain,  and  I  went 
off  fast  asleep.  One  moment  there  was  the  compart- 
ment with  its  cushions  and  lamp  with  the  rush  and 
sway  of  the  carriage  that  made  me  think  it  must  be 
something  like  this  on  board  ship;  the  next  I  was  back 
at  the  works  keeping  watch  and  wondering  whether 
either  of  the  men  would  come  and  make  any  attempt 
upon  the  place. 

I  don't  know  how  long  I  had  been  asleep,  but  all 
at  once,  without  moving,  I  was  wide-awake  with  my 
eyes  closed,  fully  realizing  that  I  had  a  valuable  packet 
of  some  kind  in  my  breast-pocket,  and  that  ray  fellow- 
traveller  was  softly  unbuttoning  my  overcoat  so  as  to 
get  it  out. 

I  lay  perfectly  still  for  a  moment  or  two,  and  then 
leaped  up  and  bounded  to  the  other  side  of  the  carriage. 

"  There,  it  is  of  no  use,"  said  my  fellow-traveller; 
"  pull  that  letter  out  of  your  pocket  and  give  it  to  me 
quietly  or" — 

He  said  no  more,  but  took  a  pistol  out  of  his  breast. 


I   AM   ATTACKED.  201 

while  I  shrank  up  against  the  farther  door,  the  window 
ot"  which  was  open,  and  stared  at  him  aghast. 

"Do  you  hear?"  he  said  fiercely.  "Come;  no  non- 
sense! I  want  that  letter.  There,  I  don't  want  to 
frighten  you,  boy.  Come  and  sit  down;  I  sha'n't  hurt 
you." 

The  train  was  flying  along  at  forty  miles  an  hour  at 
least,  and  this  man  knew  that  the  packet  I  had  was 
valuable.  How  he  knew  it  I  could  not  tell,  but  he 
must  have  found  out  at  Arrowfield.  He  was  going  to 
take  it  from  me,  and  if  he  got  it  what  was  he  going 
to  do? 

I  thouofht  it  all  over  as  if  in  a  flash. 

He  was  going  to  steal  the  packet,  and  he  would  know 
that  I  should  complain  at  the  first  station  we  reached; 
and  he  would  prevent  this,  I  felt  sure.     But  how? 

There  was  only  one  way.  He  had  threatened  me 
with  a  pistol,  but  I  did  not  think  he  would  use  that. 
No;  there  was  only  one  way,  and  it  was  this — he  would 
rob  me  and  throw  me  out  of  the  train. 

My  legs  shook  under  me  as  I  thought  this,  and  the 
light  in  the  carriage  seemed  to  be  dancing  up  and  down, 
as  I  put  my  right  arm  out  of  the  window  and  hung  to 
the  side  to  keep  myself  up. 

All  this  was  a  matter  of  moments,  and  it  seemed 
to  be  directly  after  my  fellow-passenger  had  spoken 
first  that  he  roared  out,  "  Do  you  hear,  sir  ?  Come 
here!" 

I  did  not  move,  and  he  made  a  dash  at  me,  but,  as 
he  did,  my  right  hand  rested  on  the  fastening  of  the 
door  outside,  turned  the  handle,  and  clinging  to  it,  I 
swuno-  out  into  the  rushincj  wind,  turning  half  round 
as  the  door  banged  heavily  back,  when,  by  an  instinc- 
tive motion,  my  left  hand  caught  at  anything  to  save 
me  from  falling,  grasped  the  bar  that  ran  along  between 
door  and  door,  and  the  next  moment,  how  I  know  not, 
I  was  clinging  to  this  bar  with  my  feet  on  the  foot- 


202  A   FEARFUL   RISK, 

board,  and  my  eyes  strained  back  at  the  open  door,  out 
of  which  my  fellow-passenger  leaned. 

"You  young  idiot,  come  back!"  he  roared;  but  the 
effect  of  his  words  was  to  make  me  shrink  farther 
away,  catching  at  the  handle  of  the  next  door,  and  then 
reaching  on  to  the  next  Ijar,  so  that  I  was  now  several 
feet  away. 

The  wind  seemed  as  if  it  would  tear  me  from  the 
footboard,  and  I  was  obliged  to  keep  my  face  away  to 
breathe,  but  I  clung  to  the  bar  tightly,  and  watched 
the  fierce  face  that  was  thrust  out  of  the  door  I  had 
left. 

"Am  I  to  come  after  you?"  he  roared.  "Come 
back!" 

My  answer  was  to  creep  past  another  door,  to  find 
to  my  horror  that  this  was  the  last,  and  that  there 
was  a  great  gap  between  me  and  the  next  carriage. 

What  was  I  to  do?  Jump,  with  the  train  dashing 
alonof  at  such  a  rate  that  it  seemed  as  if  I  must  be 
shaken  down  or  torn  off  by  the  wind. 

I  stared  back  horror-stricken  and  then  uttered  a  cry 
of  fear,  as  the  window  I  had  just  passed  was  thrown 
open  and  a  man  leaned  out. 

"  I'll  swear  I  heard  someone  shout,"  he  said  to  a 
travelling  companion,  and  he  looked  back  along  the 
train.  "  Yes,"  he  continued,  "  there's  someone  three 
compartments  back  looking  out.  Oh,  he's  gone  in  now. 
Wonder  what  it  was!" 

Just  then  he  turned  his  head  in  my  direction,  and 
saw  my  white  face. 

I  saw  him  start  as  I  clung  there  just  a  little  way 
below  hiiii  to  his  right,  and  within  easy  reach,  and,  for 
I  should  think  a  minute,  we  stared  hard  at  each  other. 

Then  he  spoke  in  a  quiet  matter-of-fact  way. 

"Don't  be  scared,  my  lad,"  he  said;  "it's  all  right. 
I  can  take  hold  of  you  tightly.  Hold  fast  till  1  get 
you  by  the  arras.     That's  it;  now  loose  your  right  hand 


< 


< 


o 


o 


SAVED.  203 

and  take  hold  of  the  door;  here  pass  it  in.  That's  the 
way;  edge  along.  I've  got  you  tight.  Come  along; 
now  the  other  liand  in.     That's  the  way." 

I  obeyed  hiui,  for  he  seemed  to  force  me  to  by  his 
firm  way,  but  the  thought  came  over  me,  "  Suppose  he 
is  that  man's  companion."  But  even  if  he  had  been,  I 
was  too  much  unnerved  to  do  anything  but  what  he 
bade  me,  so  I  passed  one  hand  on  to  the  window-frame 
of  the  door,  then  edged  along  and  stood  holding  on 
with  the  other  hand,  for  he  had  me  as  if  his  grasp 
was  a  vice,  and  then  his  hands  glided  down  to  my 
waist.  He  gripped  me  by  my  clothes  and  flesh,  and 
before  I  could  realize  it  he  had  dragged  me  right  in 
through  the  window  and  placed  me  on  the  seat. 

Then  dragging  up  the  window  he  sank  back  oppo- 
site to  me  and  cried  to  a  gentleman  standing  in  the 
compartment: 

"Give  me  a  drop  of  brandy,  Jem,  or  I  shall  faint!" 

I  crouched  back  there,  quivering  and  unable  to  speak. 
I  was  so  unnerved;  but  I  saw  the  other  gentleman 
hand  a  flask  to  the  blufl'-looking  man  who  had  saved 
me,  and  I  saw  him  take  a  hearty  draught  and  draw  a 
long  breath,  after  which  he  turned  to  n)e. 

"  You  young  scoundrel ! "  he  cried ;  "  how  dare  you 
give  me  such  a  fright!" 

I  tried  to  speak,  but  the  words  would  not  come.  I 
was  choking,  and  I  believe  for  a  minute  I  literally 
sobbed. 

"  There,  there,  my  lad,"  said  the  other  kindly, 
"  You're  all  right.  Don't  speak  to  him  like  that  now, 
Jordan.     The  boy's  had  a  horrible  scare." 

"Scare!"  said  the  big  bluft*  man;  "and  so  have  I. 
Why,  my  heart  was  in  my  mouth.  I  M'ouldnt  go 
through  it  again  for  a  hundred  pounds.  How  did  you 
come  there,  sir?" 

"  Let  him  be  for  a  few  minutes,"  said  the  other 
gently.     "  He'll  come  round  directly,  and  tell  us." 


204  I   COME   ROUND. 

I  gave  him  a  grateful  look  and  held  ovit  my  wet 
hand,  which  he  took  and  held  in  his. 

"  The  boy  has  had  a  terrible  shock,"  he  said.  "  He'll 
tell  us  soon.     Don't  hurry,  my  lad.     There,  be  calm." 

I  clung  to  his  hand,  for  he  seemed  to  steady  me, 
my  hand  jerking  and  twitching,  and  a  curious  sensation 
of  horror  that  I  had  never  felt  before  seeming  to  be 
upon  me;  but  by  degrees  this  passed  off,  the  more 
([uickly  that  the  two  gentlemen  went  on  talking  as  if 
I  were  not  there. 

"  I'm  so  much  obliged,"  I  said  at  last,  and  the  big 
bluff  man  lauohed. 

"  Don't  name  it,"  he  said,  nodding  good-humouredly. 
"  Five  guineas  is  my  fee." 

I  shivered. 

"  And  my  friend  here.  Doctor  Brown,  will  have  a 
bigger  one  for  his  advice." 

"  He's  joking  you,  my  lad,"  said  the  other  gentleman 
smiling.     "  I  see  you  are  not  hurt." 

"No,  sir,"  I  said;  "I—" 

The  trembling  came  over  me  again,  and  I  could  not 
speak  for  a  minute  or  two,  but  sat  gazing  helplessly 
from  one  to  the  other. 

"  Give  him  a  drop  of  brandy,"  said  the  big  bluff 
man. 

"No,  let  him  be  for  a  few  minutes;  he's  mastering 
it,"  was  tlie  reply. 

This  did  me  good,  and  making  an  effort  I  said 
quickly : 

"  A  man  in  the  carriage  tried  to  rob  me,  and  I  got 
on  to  the  footboanl  and  came  along  here." 

"  Then  you  dii  I  what  I  dare  not  have  done,"  said  the 
one  who  drugged  me  in.  "But  a  pretty  state  of  affairs 
this.  On  the  railway,  and  no  means  of  communi- 
cating." 

"  But  there  are  means." 

"  Tchah!  how  was  the  poor  lad  to  make  use  of  them? 


HE   ESCAPES.  205 

Well,  wc  shall  have  the  scoundrel,  unless  he  gets  out  of 
the  train  and  jumps  for  it.  We  must  look  out  when 
we  stop  for  taking  the  tickets.  We  shall  not  halt 
before." 

By  degrees  I  grew  quite  composed,  and  told  them  all. 

"  Yes,"  said  my  big  friend,  "  it  was  very  brave  of 
you;  but  I  think  I  should  have  parted  with  all  I  had 
sooner  than  have  run  such  a  risk." 

"  If  it  had  been  your  own,"  said  the  other  gentleman. 
"  In  this  case  it  seems  to  me  the  boy  would  have  been 
robbed,  and  probably  thrown  out  afterwards  upon  the 
line.  I  think  you  did  quite  right,  my  lad,  but  I  should 
not  recommend  the  practice  to  anyone  else." 

They  chatted  to  me  pleasantly  enough  till  the  train 
began  at  last  to  slacken  speed  preparatory  to  stopping 
for  the  tickets  to  be  taken,  and  at  the  first  symptom 
of  this  my  two  new  friends  jumped  up  and  let  down 
the  windows,  each  leaning  out  so  as  to  command  a 
view  of  the  back  of  the  train. 

I  should  have  liked  to  look  back  as  well,  but  that 
was  impossible,  so  I  had  to  be  content  to  sit  and  listen ; 
but  I  was  not  kept  long  in  suspense,  for  all  at  once 
the  quieter  and  more  gentlemanly  of  my  companions 
exclaimed : 

"  I  thought  as  much.  He  has  just  jumped  off,  and 
run  down  the  embankment.     There  he  goes!" 

I  ran  to  the  side,  and  caught  a  glimpse  of  a  figure 
melting  away  into  the  darkness.     Then  it  was  gone. 

"  There  goes  all  chance  of  punishing  the  scoundrel," 
said  the  big  bluft'  man,  turning  to  me  and  smiling 
good-temperedly.  "  I  should  have  liked  to  catch  him, 
but  I  couldn't  afibrd  to  risk  my  neck  in  your  service, 
young  man." 

I  thanked  him  as  well  as  I  could,  and  made  up  my 
mind  that  if  my  father  was  waiting  on  the  platform 
he  should  make  a  more  satisfactory  recognition  of  the 
services  that  had  been  performed. 


206  THE   journey's   END. 

This  did  not,  however,  prove  so  easy  as  I  had  hoped, 
for  in  the  confusion  of  trying  to  bring  them  together 
when  I  found  my  father  waiting,  I  reached  the  spot 
where  I  had  left  my  travelling-companions  just  in  time 
to  see  them  drive  off  in  a  cab. 


•U 


CHAPTER   XVIIL 

AGAINST   THE    LAW. 

HE  next  day,  after  recounting  plenty  of  my 
adventures  to  my  mother,  but,  I  ain  afraid, 
dressing  some  of  them  up  so  that  tliey 
should  not  alarm  her,  a  letter  reached  me 
from  Uncle  Bob. 

It  was  very  short.  He  hoped  I  had  reached  town 
safely,  and  found  all  well.  The  night  had  passed 
quite  quietly  at  the  works,  and  he  ended  by  saying: 

"  I  took  up  the  trap.     All  right!" 

That  was  a  great  relief  to  me,  and  made  my  stay  in 
town  quite  pleasant, 

I  went  down  to  the  old  works  with  my  father, 
and  it  made  me  smile  to  see  how  quiet  and  orderly 
everything  was,  and  how  different  to  the  new  line  of 
business  we  had  taken  up.  The  men  here  never 
thouo'ht  of  conimittino-  outrages  or  interferino-  with 
those  who  employed  them,  and  I  could  not  help  think- 
ing what  a  contrast  there  was  between  them  and  the 
Arrowfield  rough  independence  of  mien. 

My  father  questioned  me  a  great  deal  about  mat- 
ters upon  which  my  uncles  had  dwelt  lightly,  but  I 
found  that  he  thoroughly  appreciated  our  position 
there  and  its  risks. 

"  Not  for  another  six  months,  Cob,"  he  said  in 
answer  to  an  inquiry  as  to  when  he  was  coming  down. 


208  BACK  AGAIN. 

"You  four  must  pacify  the  country  first/'  he  added 
laughing,  ''and  liave  tlie  business  in  good  going  order." 

My  visit  was  very  pleasant,  and  I  could  not  helj? 
feeling  proud  of  the  treatment  I  received  at  home ;  but 
all  the  same  I  was  glad  to  start  again  for  Arrowfield 
and  join  my  uncles  in  their  battle  for  success. 

For  there  was  something  very  exciting  in  these 
struggles  with  the  men,  and  now  I  was  away  all  this 
seemed  to  be  plainer,  and  the  attraction  grew  so  that 
there  was  a  disposition  on  my  part  to  make  those  at 
home  quite  at  their  ease  as  to  the  life  I  was  leading 
down  at  Arrowtield. 

At  last  the  day  came  for  me  to  start  on  my  return 
journey,  when  once  more  I  had  a  packet  to  bear. 

"  I  need  not  tell  you  that  it  is  of  great  value,  Cob," 
said  my  father.  "  Button  it  up  in  your  pocket,  and 
then  forget  all  about  it.  That  is  the  safest  way.  It 
takes  off  all  the  consciousness." 

"  I  don't  suppose  I  shall  meet  my  friend  this  time," 
I  said. 

My  father  shuddered  slightly. 

"It  is  not  likely,"  he  said;  "but  I  should  strongly 
advise  you  to  change  carriages  if  you  find  yourself 
beint;  left  alone  with  a  stranger." 

Word  had  been  sent  down  as  to  the  train  I  should 
travel  by,  and  in  due  time  I  found  myself  on  the 
Arrowfield  platform  and  back  at  our  new  home,  where 
Mrs.  Stephenson  and  Tattsey  were  ready  with  the  most 
friendly  of  smiles. 

"  Everything  has  been  going  on  splendidly,"  was  the 
report  given  to  me.  Piter  had  been  carefully  attended 
to,  and  the  works  watched  as  well  as  if  I  had  been  at 
Arrowfield. 

I  felt  annoyed,  and,  I  suppose,  showed  it,  for  it 
seemed  as  if  my  uncles  were  bantering  me,  but  the 
annoyance  passed  off  directly  under  the  influence  of  the 
warmth  dis{jlayed  by  all  three. 


TONING   DOWN.  209 

"  I'm  beginning  to  be  hopeful  now  that  work  will 
go  on  steadily,  that  this  watching  can  be  given  up, 
and  that  we  can  take  to  a  few  country  excursions, 
some  fishing,  and  the  like." 

That  was  Uncle  Dick's  expressed  opinion ;  and  I  was 
glad  enough  to  hear  it,  for  though  I  did  not  mind  the 
work  I  liked  some  play. 

Uncle  Jack  was  just  as  hopeful;  but  Uncle  Bob 
evidently  was  not,  for  he  said  very  little. 

This  time  I  had  travelled  by  a  day  train,  and  I  was 
quite  ready  to  take  my  turn  at  the  watching  that 
night.  Uncle  Jack,  whose  turn  it  was,  opposed  my 
going,  as  I  had  been  travelling  so  far;  but  I  insisted, 
saying  that  I  had  had  my  i-egular  night's  rest  ever 
since  I  had  left  them,  and  was  consequently  quite  fresh. 

I  wanted  to  ask  Uncle  Bob  where  he  had  hidden 
the  trap,  but  I  had  no  opportunity,  and  as  neither 
Uncle  Dick  nor  Uncle  Jack  made  any  allusion  to  it  I 
did  not  start  the  subject. 

Perhaps  Uncle  Bob  had  not  told  them,  meaning  to 
have  a  few  words  with  me  first. 

It  almost  seemed  like  coming  home  to  enter  the 
works  ao-ain,  where  Piter  was  most  demonstrative  in 

IT 

his  afl^ection,  and  carried  it  to  such  an  extent  that  1 
could  hardly  get  away. 

I  had  a  look  round  the  gloomy  old  place  at  once, 
and  felt  quite  a  thrill  of  pride  in  the  faintly  glowing 
furnaces  and  machinery  as  I  thought  of  the  endless 
things  the  place  was  destined  to  produce. 

"  Look  here.  Cob,"  said  Uncle  Jack,  "  I  shall  lie  down 
for  three  hours,  mind;  and  at  the  end  of  that  time 
you  are  to  wake  me.  It  is  only  nine  o'clock  now,  and 
you  can  get  over  that  time  with  a  book.  There  will 
be  no  need  to  walk  round  the  place." 

"  Would  Piter  warn  us,  do  you  think?"  I  said. 

"Oh,  yes!  It  is  getting  quite  a  form  our  being  here. 
The  men  are  toning  down." 

(  322 )  O 


210  PITER   AND    I. 

He  threw  himself  on  the  bed,  and  I  took  up  a  book 
and  read  for  an  hour,  after  which  I  had  a  walk  through 
the  gloomy  workshops,  and  in  and  out  of  the  fur- 
nace-houses and  smithies,  where  all  was  quiet  as 
could  be. 

After  this  I  felt  disposed  to  go  and  open  the  big 
door  and  look  down  into  the  wheel-pit.  I  don't  know 
why,  only  that  the  place  attracted  me.  I  did  not, 
however,  but  walked  back  to  the  doorway  to  look  at 
the  glow  which  overhung  the  town,  with  the  heavy 
canopy  of  ruddy  smoke,  while  away  behind  me  the 
stars  were  shining  brightly,  and  all  was  clear. 

I  patted  Piter,  who  came  to  the  full  length  of  his 
chain,  and  then  I  had  a  look  about  with  the  lantern  to 
see  if  I  could  find  where  Uncle  Bob  had  put  the 
trap. 

I  felt  that  it  must  be  under  lock  and  key  some- 
where, but  the  cupboards  had  nothing  to  show,  and, 
try  how  I  would,  I  could  think  of  no  likely  place  for 
it  to  be  hidden  in.  80  I  gave  up  the  task  of  trying  to 
find  it,  and  walked  back  to  the  door,  where  I  found 
Piter  lying  down  hard  at  work  trying  to  push  his 
collar  over  his  head. 

The  patient,  persevering  way  in  which  he  tried,  get- 
ting both  his  forepaws  against  it,  was  most  .amusing, 
the  more  so  that  there  was  not  the  slightest  possibility 
of  success  attending  his  efforts,  for  his  neck,  which  the 
collar  fitted  pretty  closely,  was  small,  and  his  bullet 
head  enormous  by  comparison. 

"  Come,"  I  said,  as  I  bent  over  him;  "shall  I  undo  it 
for  you?" 

He  looked  up  at  me  as  I  put  the  dark  lantern  down, 
and  whined  softly.  Then  he  began  working  at  the 
collar  again. 

"  Look  here,"  I  said,  as  I  sat  on  the  bottom  step. 
"Shall  1  undo  it?" 

Dogs  must  have  a  good  deal  of  reason,  for  Piter 


A   NOISE   IN   THE    NIGHT,  211 

leaped  up  and  laid  his  head  in  my  lap  directly,  holding 
it  perfectly  still  while  I  unbuckled  the  strap  collar, 
when  he  gave  a  snitf  or  two  at  my  hands,  licked  them, 
and  bounded  off  to  have  a  regular  good  run  all  over 
the  place  before  he  came  back  and  settled  down 
close  to  me  in  the  little  office  where  I  w^as  trying  to 
read. 

Twelve  o'clock  at  last,  and  I  awoke  Uncle  Jack,  w^ho 
rose  at  once,  fresh  and  clear  as  if  he  were  amply  rested, 
and  soon  after  I  w^as  fast  asleep,  dreaming  aw^ay  and 
fancying  I  could  hear  the  rattle  and  the  throb  of  the 
train.  Then  I  was  talking  to  that  man  again,  and  then 
swinging  out  on  the  carriage-door  with  the  wind  rush- 
ing by,  and  the  bluff  man  leaning  out  over  me,  and 
Piter  on  the  carriage  wdth  him,  barking  at  my  aggres- 
sor, who  was  shrieking  for  mercy. 

Then  I  was  awake,  to  see  that  it  w^as  Uncle  Jack 
w^ho  was  leaning  over  me,  and  the  window  was  open, 
admitting  a  stream  of  cold  air  and  a  curious  yelling 
noise,  mingled  with  the  barking  of  a  dog. 

"What  is  the  matter?"  I  cried. 

"That's  what  I  want  to  know,"  said  Uncle  Jack. 
"  T  went  with  a  candle,  but  the  wind  puffed  it  out. 
Where  did  you  put  the  lantern?" 

"  Lantern — lantern!"  I  said  in  a  confused  way,  "did 
I  have  it?" 

"Yes;  you  must  have  had  it.  Can't  you  think? 
Gracious,  what  a  noise!  Piter  must  have  got  someone 
by  the  throat." 

"  Oh,  I  know!"  I  cried  as  I  grew  more  fully  awake. 
"  On  the  shelf  in  the  entry." 

We  ran  down  together,  and  a  faint  glow  showed  its 
whereabouts,  still  alight,  but  with  the  dark  shade 
turned  over  the  bull's-eye. 

"Where  does  the  noise  come  from?"  I  said,  feeling 
startled  at  the  alarming  nature  of  the  cries,  freshly 
awakened  as  I  was  from  sleep. 


212  CAUGHT   FAST. 

"  I  can  hardly  tell,"  he  said,  seizing  the  hxntcrn  and 
taking  a  sharp  hold  of  his  stick.  "Bring  a  stick 
with  you,  my  boy,  for  there  may  be  enemies  in  the 
way." 

"Why,  uncle,"  I  cried,  "some  poor  creature  has  fallen 
from  the  side  path  into  the  dam." 

"Some  wretclied  drunken  workman  then,"  he  said, 
as  we  hurried  in  the  direction,  and  there  seemed  to  be 
no  doubt  about  it  now,  for  there  was  the  splashing  of 
water,  and  the  cry  of  "Help!"  while  Piter  barked  more 
furiously  than  ever. 

We  ran  down  to  the  edge  of  the  dam,  the  light  of  the 
bull's-eye  flashing  and  dancing  over  the  ground,  so  that 
we  were  able  to  avoid  the  difi'erent  objects  lying  about; 
and  directly  after  the  light  played  on  the  water,  and 
then  threw  into  full  view  the  figure  of  the  bull-dog  as 
he  stood  on  the  stone  edge  of  the  dam  barking  furiously 
at  a  man's  head  that  was  just  above  the  surface  of  the 
water. 

"Help!  help!"  he  cried  as  we  drew  near,  and  then  I 
uttered  a  prolonged  "Oh!"  and  stood  still, 

"Quiet,  Piter!  down,  dog!  can't  you  see  it  is  a 
friend!" 

But  the  dog  seemed  to  deny  it,  and  barked  more 
furiously  than  ever. 

"Quiet,  sir!  Here,  Cob,  lay  hold  of  the  lantern.  Will 
you  be  quiet,  dog!  Lay  hold  of  him.  Cob,  and  hold 
him." 

I  obeyed  in  a  half  stupid  way,  holding  the  lantern 
with  one  hand,  as  I  went  on  my  knees,  putting  my 
arm  round  Piter's  neck  to  hold  him  back;  and  in  that 
way  I  struggled  back  from  the  edge,  watching  my 
uncle  as  I  made  the  light  fall  upon  the  head  staring 
wildly  at  us,  a  horrible  white  object  just  above  the 
black  water  of  the  dam. 

"  Help !  help ! "  it  cried.     "  Save  me.  Oh ! " 

"Catch  hold  of  the  stick.     That's  right;  now  your 


UNCLE   jack's   wonder.  213 

hand.  Well  done!  What's  holding  you  down?  Have 
you  got  your  foot  entangled?  That's  better:  how  did 
you  fall  in?" 

As  my  uncle  rapidly  asked  these  questions  he  got 
hold  of  the  man,  and  dragged  him  on  to  the  stone  edge 
of  the  dam,  when  there  was  a  horrible  clanking  noise, 
the  rattle  of  a  chain,  the  man  uttered  a  hideous  yell, 
and  as  Piter  set  up  a  tremendous  barking  again  I 
turned  oft"  the  li<T;ht. 

"Here,  don't  do  that,"  cried  my  uncle. 

I  hardly  know  what  induced  me  to  turn  oft"  the  light, 
unless  it  was  a  shamefaced  feeling  on  being,  as  I 
thouglit,  found  out.  And  yet  it  did  not  seem  that  I  was 
the  gviilty  party.  Uncle  Bob  had  said  he  had  taken  up 
the  trap,  and  it  was  all  right.  He  must  have  altered 
his  mind  and  set  it  again. 

"That's  better,"  said  my  uncle  as  I  turned  on  the 
light  once  more;  and  then  Piter  made  such  a  struggle 
that  I  could  not  hold  him.  There  was  a  bit  of  a  sculHe, 
and  he  was  free  to  rush  at  the  man,  upon  whom  he 
fixed  himself  as  he  lay  there  howling  ami  dripping 
with  water. 

The  man  yelled  again  horribly,  sprang  up  with  Piter 
holdins:  on  to  him;  there  was  the  same  horrible  clank- 
inof  noise  on  the  stones,  and  down  he  fell  once  more 
groaning. 

"Help!  murder!  take  away  the  dorg.  Oh,  help!"  he 
cried. 

"Good  oTacious!  what  is  the  matter?"  cried  Uncle 
Jack,  telling  me  what  I  knew.  "The  man's  leg's  in  a 
trap." 

He  sprang  up  again,  for  by  main  force  Uncle  Jack 
had  drasa'ed  Piter  away  with  his  mouth  full  of  trouser 
leg;  but  there  were  only  two  clanks  and  a  sprawl,  for 
the  poor  wretch  fell  headlong  again  on  the  stones, 
praying  for  mercy. 

"Why,  his  leg's  in  a  great  trap,  and  it's  held  by  a 


214  "TEK    IT   OFF." 

chain,"  cried  Uncle  Jack.  "Here,  how  came  you  in  this 
condition.''" 

"Eh  mestcr,  aw  doan  know.  Deed  aw  doan  know," 
the  fellow  groaned.  "  Hey,  but  it's  biting  my  leg  off, 
and  I'll  be  a  lame  man  to  the  end  o'  my  days." 

"Why,  it's  Gentles!"  cried  Uncle  Jack,  taking  the 
lantern  from  me,  for  I  had  enough  to  do  to  hold  the 
dog. 

"Tek  off  the  thing;  tek  off  the  thing,"  groaned  the 
man.     "  It's  a  cootin  my  leg  i'  two,  I  tell'ee." 

"Hold  your  noise,  and  don't  howl  like  that,"  cried 
Uncle  Jack  angrily,  for  he  seemed  to  understand  now 
that  the  man  must  have  climbed  over  into  the  yard 
and  been  caught,  though  he  was  all  the  more  surprised, 
for  quiet  smooth-faced  Gentles  was  the  last  man  any- 
one would  have  suspected. 

"But  I  tell'ee  its  tekkin  off  my  leg,"  groaned  the 
man,  and  he  made  another  trial  to  escape,  but  was 
checked  by  the  peg  driven  tightly  into  the  ground 
between  the  stones,  and  he  fell  again,  hurting  himself 
hoi-ribly. 

"I  shall  be  a  dead  man — murdered  in  a  minute,"  he 
groaned.  "Help!  Oh,  my  poor  missus  and  the  bairns! 
Tek  off  that  thing,  and  keep  away  yon  dorg." 

"Look  here,"  said  Uncle  Jack,  making  the  light  play 
on  the  poor  wretch's  miserable  face.  "How  came  you 
here?" 

"Your  dorg  flew  at  me,  mester,  and  drove  me  in  t' 
watter." 

"Yes,  exactly;  but  how  came  you  in  the  yard?" 

"I  d'know,  mester,  I  d'know." 

"I  suppose  not,"  said  Uncle  Jack. 

"Tek  off  that  thing,  mester;  tek  off  that  thing.  It's 
most  cootin  off  my  leg." 

I  was  ready  to  add  my  supplications,  for  I  knew  the 
poor  wretch  must  be  in  terrible  agony;  but  I  felt  as  if 
I  could  not  speak. 


GENTLES    IN    DIFFICULTIES.  215 

"I'll  take  it  off  by  and  by,  when  I  know  how  you 
came  here." 

"I  tell'ee  it's  'gen  the  law  to  set  they  montraps," 
cried  the  fellow  in  a  sudden  burst  of  anger,  "and  I'll 
have  the  law  o'  thee." 

"I  would,"  said  Uncle  Jack,  still  making  the  light 
play  over  the  dripping  figure,  and  then  examining  the 
trap,  and  tracing  the  chain  to  the  peg.  "Hullo!"  he 
cried,  "what's  this?" 

He  was  holding  the  lantern  close  to  a  dark  object 
upon  the  ground  quite  close,  and  Gentles  uttered  a 
fresh  yell,  bounded  up,  made  a  clanking  noise,  and  fell 
again  groaning. 

"Doan't!  doan't!     Thoult  blow  us  all  to  bits." 

"Oh,  it's  powder,  then,  is  it?"  cried  Uncle  Jack 

"Hey,  I  d'know,  mester,  I  d'know." 

"Didn't  bring  it  with  you,  I  suppose?"  said  Uncle 
Jack. 

"Nay,  mester,  I  didn't  bring  it  wi'  me." 

"Then  how  do  you  know  it's  powder?" 

"Hey,  I  d'know  it's  powder,"  groaned  the  miserable 
wretch.  "It  only  looks  like  it.  Tek  off  this  trap  thing. 
Tek  away  the  light.     Hey,  bud  I'm  being  killed." 

"  Let  me  see,"  said  Uncle  Jack  with  cool  deliberation. 
"You  climbed  over  the  wall  with  that  can  of  powder  and 
the  fuse." 

"Nay,  nay,  mester,  not  me." 

"And  fell  into  a  trap." 

"Yes,  mester.     Tek  it  off" 

"Where  did  you  mean  to  put  that  can  of  powder?" 

"Nay,  mester,  I — " 

"Tell  me  directly,"  cried  Uncle  Jack,  giving  the 
chain  a  drag  and  making  Gentles  yell  out;  "tell  me 
directly,  or  I'll  pitch  you  into  the  dam." 

Uncle  Jack's  manner  w^as  so  fierce  that  the  man 
moaned  out  feebly: 

"If  I  tell'ee  wilt  tek  off  the  trap?" 


216  LET   OUT. 

"  Perhaps  I  will.  Speak  out.  Where  did  you  mean 
to  put  the  powder  can?" 

"  Under  big  watter-wheel,  mester." 

"And  fire  the  fuse?" 

"Yes,  mester." 

"  How  long  would  it  have  burned?" 

"  Twenty  minutes,  mester." 

"Same  length  as  the  one  that  was  run  in  the  furnace- 
house?" 

"Yes,  mester." 

"You  cowardly  scoundrel!  You  were  in  that  too, 
then,"  cried  Uncle  Jack,  going  down  on  one  knee  and 
seizing  the  man  by  the  throat  and  shaking  him  till  he 
realized  how  horribly  he  was  punishing  him,  when  he 
loosed  his  hold. 

"  Don't  kill  me,  mester.     Oh,  my  wife  and  bairns ! " 

"  A  man  with  a  wife  and  children,  and  ready  to  do 
such  a  dastardly  act  as  that!  Here,  you  shall  tell  me 
this,  who  set  you  on?" 

The  man  set  his  teeth  fast. 

"  Who  set  you  on,  I  say?" 

"  Nay,  mester,  I  canna  tell,"  groaned  Gentles. 

"  But  you  shall  tell,"  roared  tJncle  Jack.  "  You  shall 
stay  here  till  you  do." 

"I  can't  tell;  I  weant  tell,"  groaned  the  man. 

"We'll  see  about  that,"  cried  Uncle  Jack.  "Pah! 
what  a  brute  I  am!  Hold  the  light.  Cob.  Piter!  you 
touch  him  if  you  dare.  Let's  see  if  we  can't  get  this 
trap  open." 

He  took  hold  of  it  gently,  and  tried  to  place  it  flat 
upon  the  stones,  but  the  poor  trapped  wretch  groaned 
dismally  till  he  was  placed  in  a  sitting  posture  with 
his  knee  bent,  when  Piter,  having  been  coerced  into  a 
neutral  state.  Uncle  Jack  pressed  with  all  his  might 
upon  the  spring  while  I  worked  the  ring  upon  it  half 
an  inch  at  a  time  till  the  jaws  yawned  right  open  and 
Gentles'  leg  was  at  liberty. 


OUR   HONEST  WORKMAN.  217 

He  groaned  and  was  evidently  in  great  pain;  but  as 
soon  as  it  was  otf,  his  face  was  convulsed  with  passion, 
and  he  shook  his  fists  at  Uncle  Jack. 

"  I'll  hev  the  law  of  ye  for  this  here.  I'll  hev  the 
law  of  ye." 

"  Do,"  said  Uncle  Jack,  picking  up  the  can  of  powder; 
"and  I  shall  bring  this  in  against  you.  Let  me  see. 
You  confessed  in  the  presence  of  this  witness  that 
you  came  over  the  wall  with  this  can  of  powder  to 
blow  up  our  water-wheel  so  as  to  stop  our  works. 
Mr.  Gentles,  I  think  we  shall  get  the  better  of  you 
this  time." 

The  man  raised  himself  to  his  feet,  and  stood  with 
great  difficulty,  moaning  with  pain. 

"  Now,"  said  Uncle  Jack,  "  will  you  go  back  over  the 
wall  or  out  by  the  gate." 

"  I'll  pay  thee  for  this.  I'll  pay  thee  for  this,"  hissed 
the  man. 

Uncle  Jack  took  him  again  by  the  throat. 

"  Look  here,"  he  said  fiercely.  "  Have  a  care  what 
you  are  doing,  my  fine  fellow.  You  have  had  a  narrow 
escape  to-night.  If  we  had  not  been  carefully  watch- 
ing you  would  by  now  have  been  hanging  by  that 
chain — drowned.  Mind  you  and  your  cowardly  sneak- 
ing scoundrels  of  companions  do  not  meet  with  some 
such  fate  next  time  they  come  to  molest  us.  Now  go. 
You  can't  walk  ?  There's  a  stick  for  you.  I  ought  to 
break  your  thick  skull  with  it,  but  I'm  going  to  be 
weak  enough  to  give  it  to  you  to  walk  home.  Go  home 
and  tell  your  wife  and  children  that  you  are  one  of  the 
most  treacherous,  canting,  hj-pocritical  scoundrels  in 
Arrowfield,  and  that  you  have  only  got  your  deserts  if 
you  are  lamed  for  life." 

He  gave  Gentles  his  stick  and  walked  with  him  to 
the  gate,  which  he  unlocked  and  held  open  for  him  to 
pass  out  groaning  and  suffering  horribly. 

"Good  night,  honest  faithful   workman!"  he   said; 


218  LONG  ODDS. 

"  friendly  man  who  only  wanted  to  be  left  alone.  Do 
you  want  your  can  of  powder?  No:  I'll  keep  it  as  a 
memento  of  your  visit,  and  for  fear  you  might  have  an 
accident  at  home." 

The  man  groaned  again  as  he  passed  out  and  stag- 
gered. 

"Poor  wretch!"  said  Uncle  Jack,  so  that  I  alone 
heard  him.  "  Ignorance  and  brutality.  Here,"  he  said 
aloud,  "  take  my  arm.  I'll  help  you  on  to  your  house. 
One  good  turn  deserves  another." 

Uncle  Jack  went  to  him  and  took  his  stick  in  his 
hand,  when,  fancying  I  heard  something,  I  turned  on 
the  light  just  in  time  to  show  Uncle  Jack  his  danger, 
for  half  a  dozen  men  armed  with  sticks  came  out  of 
the  shadow  of  the  w^all  and  rushed  at  him. 

It  was  fortunate  for  him  that  he  had  taken  back  the 
stout  oak  walking-stick  that  he  made  his  companion 
on  watchim?  niolits,  or  he  would  have  been  beaten 
down. 

As  it  was  he  received  several  heavy  blows,  but  he 
parried  others,  and  laid  about  him  so  earnestly  that 
two  men  went  down,  and  another  fell  over  Gentles. 

By  that  time  my  uncle  had  retreated  to  the  gate, 
darted  through,  and  banoed  and  locked  it  in  his 
enemies'  face. 

"  Rather  cowardly  to  retreat,  Cob,"  he  panted;  "  but 
six  to  one  are  long  odd.s.     Where's  the  powder  can?" 

"  I  have  it,  uncle,"  I  said. 

"  Ah,  well,  suppose  you  give  it  to  me,  or  else  the  light! 
The  two  don't  go  well  together.  They  always  quarrel, 
and  it  ends  in  what  Mr.  O'Gallao-her  in  Perceval  Keene 
called  a  blow  up." 

I  gave  him  the  can,  and  then  listened  to  the  mutter- 
ing of  voices  outside,  half  expecting  that  an  attempt 
might  be  made  to  scale  the  wall. 

"  No,"  said  Uncle  Jack;  "they  will  not  do  that.  They 
don't  make  open  attacks." 


A   MISTAKE   IN   TRAPS.  219 

"  Did  you  see  who  the  others  were?" 

"  No,  it  was  too  dark.  There,  let's  get  inside.  But 
about  that  trap.     I  won't  leave  it  there." 

I  walked  with  him  in  silence,  and  lighted  him  while 
he  dragged  the  iron  peg  out  of  the  ground,  and  carried 
all  back  to  the  ofSce,  where  he  examined  the  trap,  turn- 
ing it  over  and  over,  and  then  throwing  it  heavily  on 
the  floor. 

He  looked  hard  at  me  then,  and  I  suppose  my  face 
told  tales. 

"  I  thought  so,"  he  said;  "that  was  your  game,  Master 
Cob." 

"Yes,"  I  said;  "but  I  thought  it  was  taken  up.  I 
told  Uncle  Bob  to  take  it  up  when  I  went  to  Lon- 
don." 

"  He  thought  you  meant  the  trap  of  the  drain,"  cried 
Uncle  Jack,  roaring  with  laughter.  "He  had  the  brick- 
layer to  it,  and  said  there  was  a  bad  smell,  and  it  was 
well  cleaned  out." 

"  Oh!"  I  exclaimed;  "  and  I  made  sure  that  it  was  all 
right  again." 

"  How  came  you  to  set  the  trap  there? 

"  I  had  seen  marks  on  the  wall,"  I  said,  "  where 
someone  came  over,  but  I  never  thought  it  could  be 
Gentles." 

"  No,  my  lad,  one  don't  know  whom  to  trust  here; 
but  how  came  you  to  think  of  that?" 

"  It  was  the  rat-trap  set  me  thinking  of  it,  and  when 
I  made  up  my  mind  to  do  it  I  never  thought  it  would 
be  so  serious  as  it  was.  Are  you  very  angry  with  me  ?" 
Uncle  Jack  looked  at  me  with  his  forehead  all  in 
wrinkles,  and  sat  down  on  a  high  stool  and  tapped  the 
desk. 

I  felt  a  curious  flinching  as  he  looked  so  hard  at  me, 
for  Uncle  Jack  was  always  the  most  stern  and  uncom- 
promising of  my  uncles.  Faults  that  Uncle  Dick 
would  shake  his"  head  at,  and  Uncle  Bob  say  "I  say, 


220  SPRINGING    A   TRAP. 

come,  this  won't  do,  you  know,"  Uncle  Jack  would 
think  over,  and  talk  about  perhaps  for  two  or  three 
days. 

"  I  ought  to  be  very  angry  with  you,  Cob,"  he  said. 
"  This  was  a  very  rash  thing  to  do.  These  men  are 
leading  us  a  horrilile  life,  and  they  deserve  any  punish- 
ment; but  there  is  the  law  of  the  land  to  punish  evil- 
doers, and  we  are  not  allowed  to  take  that  law  in  our 
own  hands.  You  might  have  broken  that  fellow's  leg 
with  the  trap." 

"  Yes,  I  see  now,"  I  said. 

"  As  it  is  I  expect  you  have  done  his  leg  serious  in- 
jury, and  made  him  a  worse  enemy  than  he  was  before. 
But  that  is  not  the  worst  part  of  it.  What  we  want 
here  is  co-operation — that's  a  long  word,  Cob,  but  you 
know  what  it  means." 

"  Workino-  too;ether,"  I  said. 

"  Of  course.  You  are  only  a  boy,  but  you  are  jomed 
with  us  three  to  mutually  protect  each  other,  and  our 
strength  lies  in  mutual  dependence,  each  knowing 
exactly  what  the  other  has  done." 

"  Yes,  I  see  that,  Uncle,"  I  said  humbly. 
"  How  are  we  to  get  on  then  if  one  of  the  legs  on 
which  we  stand — you,  sir,  gives  way?     It   lets  the 
whole  machine  down ;  it's  ruin  to  us,  Cob." 
"  I'm  very  sorry,  uncle." 

"  We  are  four.  Well,  suppose  one  of  us  gets  spring- 
ing a  mine  unknown  to  the  others,  what  a  position  the 
other  three  are  in!" 

"  Yes,"  I  said  auain.     "  I  see  it  all  now." 
"  You  didn't  spring  a  mine  upon  us,  Cob,  but  you 
sprang  a  trap." 
I  nodded. 

"  It  was  a  mistake,  lad,  though  it  has  turned  out  all 
right  as  it  happened,  and  we  liave  been  saved  from  a 
terrible  danger;  but  look  here,  don't  do  anything  of  the 
kind  again.' 


ROUGH   TIMES   COMING.  221 

"  Shall  you  go  to  the  police  about  this?"  I  said. 

"  No,  and  I'm  sure  the  others  will  agree  with  me. 
We  must  bo  our  own  police,  Cob,  and  take  care  of 
ourseWes;  but  I'm  afraid  we  have  rough  times 
coming." 


CHAPTEH   XIX. 

PANNELL   SAYS   NOTHING. 

ETTER  and  better!"  cried  Uncle  Dick, 
waving  a  letter  over  his  head  one  mor- 
ning after  the  post  had  come  in.  "  All  we 
have  to  do  is  to  worl-c  away.  Our  steel  is 
winning  its  way  more  and  more  in  London,  and  there 
is  already  a  greater  demand  than  we  can  supply." 

"  It  seems  funny  too,"  I  said.  "  I  went  through 
Norton's  works  yesterday  with  Mr.  Tomplin,  and  saw 
them  making  steel,  and  it  seemed  almost  exactly  your 
way." 

"Yes,  Cob,"  said  Uncle  Dick,  "almost.  It's  that 
trifling  little  difference  that  does  it.  It  is  so  small 
that  it  is  almost  imperceptible;  but  still  it  is  enough 
to  make  our  steel  worth  half  as  much  again  as  theirs." 

"You  didn't  show  them  the  difference,  did  you.  Cob?" 
said  Uncle  Jack,  laughing. 

"Why,  how  could  I?" 

•'Ah!  I  forgot;  you  don't  know.  But  nevermind, 
you'll  arrive  at  years  of  discretion  some  day,  Cob,  and 
then  you  will  be  trusted  with  the  secret." 

"  I  consider  that  he  could  be  trusted  now,"  cried 
Uncle  Dick.  "  I  am  quite  willing  to  show  him  when- 
ever he  like.s.     We  make  a  fresh  batch  to-morrow." 

"No,"  I  said;  "  I  don't  want  to  be  shown  yet.  I  can 
wait," 


GENTLES   WALKS    LAME.  223 

"Is  that  meant  sulkily,  or  is  it  manly  frankness?" 
said  Uncle  Jack  sharply. 

"  Oh,  I'll  answer  that,"  replied  Uncle  Dick — "  cer- 
tainly not  sulkily." 

"I  endorse  that,"  said  Uncle  Bob;  and  I  gave  them 
both  a  grateful  look. 

"He  shall  learn  everything  we  know,"  said  Dick. 
"  It  is  his  rio'ht  as  his  father's  son.  If  we  have  not 
shown  him  sooner  it  is  on  account  of  his  fathers 
interests,  and  because  we  felt  that  a  secret  that  means 
property  or  nothing  is  rather  a  weighty  one  for  a  lad 
of  his  years  to  bear.  Well,  once  more.  Cob,  you  will 
not  mind  being  left?" 

"  No,"  I  said,  "  you  will  not  be  away  many  hours. 
The  men  will  hardly  know  that  you  have  gone,  and  if 
they  were  to  turn  disagreeable  I'm  sure  Pannell  would 
help  me." 

"  Oh,  there's  no  fear  of  any  open  annoyance,"  said 
Uncle  Jack;  "the  men  have  been  remarkably  quiet 
since  we  caught  Master  Gentles.  By  the  way,  anyone 
know  how  he  is?" 

"  I  know,"  I  said.  "  I've  seen  Mrs.  Gentles  every 
day,  and  he  leaves  the  infirmary  to-morrow." 

"  Cured?" 

"  Yes;  only  he  will  walk  a  little  lame,  that's  all,  and 
only  for  a  month  or  two." 

"  Well,  take  care  of  the  place,  Cob,"  said  Uncle  Jack. 
"  I  don't  suppose  the  men  will  interfere  with  you,  but 
if  they  do  you  can  retreat." 

"  If  you  thought  they  would  interfere  with  me,"  I 
said,  "  you  would  not  go." 

They  all  laughed,  and,  as  we  had  arranged,  they  left 
the  works  one  by  one,  and  I  went  on  just  as  usual, 
looking  in  at  one  place,  and  then  another,  to  see  how 
the  men  were  going  on,  before  retui'ning  to  the  office 
and  copying  some  letters  left  for  me  to  do. 

It  was  a  month  since  the  adventure  with  the  trap, 


224  "WANT   ANOTHER  TRAP?" 

and  to  see  the  men  no  one  could  have  imagmed  that 
there  was  the  slis:hte,st  discontent  among  them. 

Tannell  had  said  very  little,  though  1  had  expected 
he  would;  in  fact  he  seemed  to  have  turned  rather 
surly  and  distant  to  me.  As  for  the  other  men,  they 
did  their  work  in  their  regular  independent  style,  and 
I  had  come  to  the  conclusion  that  my  best  way  was  to 
treat  all  alike,  and  not  make  special  friends,  especially 
after  the  melancholy  mistake  I  had  made  in  putting- 
most  faith  in  one  who  was  the  greatest  scoundrel  in 
the  place. 

My  uncles  had  gone  to  the  next  town  to  meet  a  firm 
of  manufacturers  who  had  been  making  overtures  that 
seemed  likely  to  be  profitable,  and  this  day  had  been 
appointed  for  the  meeting. 

After  a  time  I  went  into  Pannell's  smithy,  to  find 
him  hammering  away  as  earnestly  as  ever,  with  his 
forehead  covered  with  dew,  his  throat  open,  and  his 
shirt-sleeves  rolled  up,  so  as  to  give  his  great  muscles 
full  play. 

"  Well,"  he  said  all  at  once,  "want  another  trap?" 

"  No,"  I  said,  smiling.  "  I  say,  Pannell,  what  did  the 
men  think  about  it?" 

He  opened  his  lips  to  speak,  but  closed  them  directly. 

"No,"  he  said  shortly;  "won't  do.  I'm  on  t'other 
side,  you  see." 

"  But  you  might  tell  me  that,"  I  cried.  "  I  say,  I 
should  as  soon  have  thought  of  catching  you  as  old 
Gentles." 

"  Hush !  say  rat,"  he  whispered.  "  Don't  name  names. 
And  say,  lad,  don't  talk  about  it.  You  don't  want  to 
get  me  knocked  on  the  head?" 

"No,  Pannell,"  I  said;  "indeed  I  don't.  You're  too 
good  a  fellow." 

"  Nay,  I'm  not,"  he  said,  shaking  his  head.  "  I'm  a 
downright  bad  un." 

"  Not  you." 


PANNELL   can't   SPEAK.  225 

"Ay,  but  I  am — reg'lar  down  bad  un." 

"What  have  you  been  domg?" 

"  Nowt,"  he  said;  and  he  brought  down  his  hammer 
with  a  tremendous  bano-  as  if  he  meant  to  make  a  full 
stop  at  the  end  of  his  sentence. 

"Then  why  are  you  a  bad  one?" 

He  looked  at  me,  then  out  of  the  window,  then  from 
the  door,  and  then  back  at  me. 

"  I'm  going  to  Lunnon  to  get  work,"  he  said. 

"No,  don't;  we  like  you — you're  such  a  good  steady 
workman.    Why  are  you  going?" 

"  Don't  like  it,"  he  said.    "Man  can't  do  as  he  pleases." 

"  Uncle  John  says  he  can't  anywhere,  and  the  mas- 
ters are  the  men's  servants  here." 

"Nay,  lad,"  he  whispered  as  he  hammered  away. 
"  Men's  worse  off  than  the  masters.  Wuckman  here 
hev  to  do  what  the  trade  tells  him,  or  he'd  soon  find 
out  what  was  what.     Man  daren't  speak." 

"For  fear  of  o-ettino-  into  trouble  with  his  mates?" 

"Nay,  his  mates  wouldn't  speak.  It's  the  trade; 
hish!" 

He  hammered  away  for  some  time,  and  his  skill  with 
his  hammer  fascinated  me  so  that  I  stopped  on  watch- 
ing him.  A  hammer  to  me  had  always  seemed  to  be 
a  tool  to  strike  straightforward  blows;  but  Pannell's 
hammer  moulded  and  shaped,  and  always  seemed  to 
fall  exactly  right,  so  that  a  piece  of  steel  grew  into 
form.  And  I  believe  he  could  have  turned  out  of  the 
glowing  metal  anything  of  which  a  model  had  been 
put  before  his  eyes. 

"Well,"  I  said,  "  I  must  go  to  my  writing." 

"  Nay,  stop  a  bit.  We  two  ain't  said  much  lately. 
They  all  gone  to  Redham  ? " 

"Yes;  how  did  you  know?" 

"Oh,  we  knows  a  deal.  There  aren't  much  goes  on  as 
we  don't  know.  Look  ye  here;  I  want  to  say  summat, 
lad,  and  I  can't — yes,  I  can." 

( 322  )  P 


226  LEFT  ALONE. 

"Well,  say  it,  then,"  I  said,  smiling  at  his  eagerness. 

"  Going  to — look  here,  there  was  a  rat  once  as  got 
his  leg  caught  in  a  trap." 

"Yes,  I  know  there  was,"  I  replied  with  a  laugh. 

"Nay,  it's  nowt  to  laugh  at,  lad.  Rats  has  sharp 
teeth;  and  that  there  rat — a  fat  smooth  rat  he  were — 
he  said  he'd  bite  him  as  set  that  trap." 

"Pannell!"  I  cried,  as  a  curious  feeling  of  dread  came 
over  me  for  a  moment  and  then  passed  away. 

"Ay,  lad." 

"You  don't  mean  to  say  that?" 

"Me! — I  mean  to  say!  IN^ay,  lad,  not  me.  I  never 
said  nothing.     'Tain't  likely!" 

I  looked  at  him  searchingly,  but  his  face  seemed  to 
turn  as  hard  as  the  steel  he  hammered;  and  finding 
that  he  would  not  say  any  more,  I  left  him,  to  go 
thoughtfully  back  to  my  desk  and  try  to  write. 

But  who  could  write  situated  as  I  was — left  alone 
with  about  thirty  workmen  in  the  place,  any  one  of 
whom  might  be  set  to  do  the  bitino-  in  revenue  for  the 
trap-setting  ?  For  there  was  no  misunderstanding  Pan- 
nell's  words;  they  were  meant  as  a  sort  of  warning 
for  me.     And  now  what  was  I  to  do? 

I  wished  my  uncles  had  not  gone  or  that  they  had 
taken  me,  and  I  nearly  made  up  my  mind  to  go  for  a 
walk  or  run  back  home. 

But  it  seemed  so  cowardly.  It  was  not  likely  that 
anyone  would  touch  me  there,  though  the  knowledge 
the  men  evidently  had  of  their  masters'  movements 
was  rather  startling;  and  I  grew  minute  by  minute 
more  nervous. 

"What  a  coward  I  am!"  I  said  to  myself  as  I  began 
writing,  but  stopped  to  listen  directly,  for  I  heard  an 
unusual  hunnning  down  in  the  grinders'  shop;  but  it 
ceased  directly,  and  I  heard  the  wheel-pit  door  close. 

"  Something  loose  in  the  gear  of  the  great  wheel, 
perhaps,"  I  thought;  and  I  went  on  writing. 


I  GROW  NERVOUS.  227 

All  at  once  the  idea  came  upon  me.  Suppose  they 
were  to  try  and  blow  me  up! 

I  slipped  off  my  stool  and  examined  all  the  papers 
beneath  my  desk  and  in  the  waste-paper  basket,  and 
then  I  felt  so  utterly  ashamed  that  I  forced  myself 
back  into  my  seat  and  tried  to  go  on  writing. 

But  it  was  impossible.  The  day  was  bright  and 
sunny  and  the  water  in  the  dam  was  dancing  and  glit- 
tering, for  the  wind  was  oft'  the  hills  and  blew  the 
smoke  in  the  other  direction — over  the  town.  There 
was  a  great  patch  of  dancing  light  on  the  ceiling  re- 
flected from  the  dam,  and  some  flowers  in  the  window 
looked  bright  and  sent  out  a  sweet  perfume;  but  I 
could  see  nothing  but  men  crawling  in  the  dark  with 
powder-cans  and  fuses;  and  to  make  myself  worse,  I 
must  go  to  Uncle  Jack's  cupboard  and  look  at  the  can 
that  we  had  found  by  Gentles  that  night,  just  as  it 
had  been  picked  up,  with  a  long  fuse  hanging  out  of 
the  neck  and  twisted  round  and  round. 

I  went  back  after  locking  it  up  and  taking  out  the 
key,  and  after  opening  the  window  I  stood  looking  out 
to  calm  myself,  wishing  the  while  that  I  was  right 
away  among  the  hills  far  from  the  noise  of  whirring 
stones  and  shrieking  metal,  I  knew  the  sun  was 
shining  there,  and  the  grass  was  green,  and  the  view 
was  spread  out  for  miles;  while  from  where  I  .stood 
there  were  the  great  black  buildings,  the  tall  shafts, 
and  close  beneath  me  the  dam  which,  in  spite  of  the 
sunshine,  suggested  nothing  but  men  coming  down 
from  the  head  on  rafts  of  wood  to  work  some  mis- 
chief. 

The  situation  became  intolerable;  I  could  not  write; 
I  could  not  get  calm  by  walking  up  and  down;  and 
every  time  there  was  a  louder  noise  than  usual  from 
the  upper  or  lower  workshop  I  started,  and  the  perspi- 
ration came  out  upon  my  face. 

What  a  coward!  you  will  say. 


228  I   GET   WORSE. 

Perhaps  so;  but  a  boy  cannot  go  through  such  ad- 
ventures as  fell  to  my  lot  and  not  have  some  trace 
left  behind. 

I  stood  at  last  in  the  middle  of  the  little  office,  and 
thought  of  what  would  be  the  best  thing  to  do. 

Should  I  run  away? 

No;  that  would  be  too  cowardly. 

I  came  to  the  right  conclusion,  I  am  sure,  for  I 
decided  to  go  and  face  the  danger,  if  there  was  any; 
for  I  said  to  myself,  "  Better  to  see  it  coming  than  to 
be  taken  unawares." 

Now,  please,  don't  think  me  conceited.  In  place  of 
being  conceited,  I  want  to  set  down  modestly  and 
truthfully  the  adventures  that  befell  me  while  my  lot 
was  cast  amono;  a  number  of  miso-uided  men  who,  bound 
together  in  what  they  considered  a  war  against  their 
masters,  were  forced  by  their  leaders  into  the  perfor- 
mance of  deeds  quite  opposed  to  their  ordinary  na- 
ture. It  was  a  mad  and  foolish  combination  as 
then  conducted,  and  injured  instead  of  benetiting  their 
class. 

Urged  by  my  nervous  dread  of  coming  danger,  I,  as 
I  have  said,  determined  to  see  it  if  I  could,  and  so  be 
prepared ;  and  in  this  spirit  I  put  as  bold  a  face  on  the 
matter  as  possible,  and  went  down  the  long  w^orkshop 
where  the  men  were  grinding  and  working  over  the 
polishing  wheels,  which  flew  round  and  put  such  a 
wonderful  gloss  upon  a  piece  of  metal. 

Then  I  went  down  and  into  the  furnace-house,  where 
the  fires  were  glowing,  and  through  the  chinks  the 
blinding  glare  of  the  blast-fed  flame  seemed  to  flash 
and  cut  the  gloom. 

The  men  there  gave  me  a  civil  nod,  and  so  did  the 
two  smiths  who  were  forging  knives,  while,  when 
I  went  next  into  Pannell's  smithy,  feeling  all  the  more 
confident  for  having  made  up  my  mind  to  action,  the 
big  fellow  stared  at  me. 


MORE   CONFIDENT.  229 

"  Yow  here  agen?"  he  said, 

"  Yes." 

"Well,  don't  stay,  lad;  and  if  I  was  you  I  should 
keep  out  of  wet  grinders'  shop." 

"Why?"  I  said. 

He  banged  a  piece  of  steel  upon  his  anvil,  and  the 
only  answers  I  could  get  from  him  were  raps  of  the 
hammer  upon  the  metal;  so  I  soon  left  him,  feeling 
highly  indignant  with  his  treatment,  and  walked 
straight  to  his  window,  stepped  up  on  the  bench,  and 
looked  down,  wondering  whether  it  would  be  any  good 
to  fish  from  there. 

The  water  after  some  hours'  working  was  much 
lower,  so  that  a  ledge  about  nine  inches  wide  was  laid 
bare  and  offered  itself  as  a  convenient  resting-place; 
but  I  thought  I  would  not  fish  while  my  uncles  were 
away,  especially  since  they  had  left  me  in  charge. 

So  I  walked  right  to  the  very  place  I  had  been 
warned  to  avoid,  and  found  the  men  as  busy  as  usual, 
and  ready  enough  to  say  a  few  civil  words. 

And  so  the  afternoon  wore  away,  and  telling  myself 
that  I  had  been  scared  at  shadows,  I  felt  a  great 
deal  more  confident  by  tea-time  when  the  men  were 
leaving. 

I  sat  in  the  office  then  as  important  as  if  I  were  the 
master,  and  listened  to  their  leaving  and  crossing  the 
yard.  I  could  hear  them  talking  to  the  gate-keeper, 
and  then  I  fancied  I  heard  a  rustling  noise  outside  the 
building,  but  it  was  not  repeated,  and  I  began  listening 
to  the  last  men  going,  and  soon  after,  according  to  his 
custom,  old  Dunning  the  gatekeeper  came  to  bring  his 
key. 

I  heard  the  old  fellow's  halting  step  on  the  stairs, 
and  trying  to  look  very  firm  I  answered  his  tap  with 
a  loud  and  important  "  Come  in!" 

"  All  gone,  Mester  Jacob,  sir,"  he  said.  "  I  s'pose 
you'll  tek  a  look  round?' 


230  I   HEAR   OF  A   THREAT. 

"Yes;  I'll  do  that,  Dunning,"  I  replied. 

"Then,  good-night,  sir!" 

"  One  moment,  Dunning,"  I  cried,  as  he  turned  to 
go.  "  I  know  you  don't  mix  with  the  quarrels  between 
masters  and  men." 

"  Not  I,  Mester  Jacob.  I  just  do  my  bit  o'  work 
here,  which  just  suits  me,  being  a  worn-out  sort  o'  man, 
and  then  goes  back  home  to  my  tea  and  my  garden. 
You've  nivver  seen  my  bit  o'  garden,  Mester  Jacob,  sir. 
You  must  come." 

"  To  be  sure  I  will,  Dunning;  but  tell  me,  how  do 
the  men  seem  now?" 

"  Bit  tired,  sir.     End  o'  the  day's  wuck." 

"  No,  no;  I  mean  as  to  temper.  Do  you  think  they 
are  settling  down?" 

"0  ay;  yes,  sir.  They'd  be  quiet  enew  if  the  trade 
would  let  'em  alone." 

"  No  threats  or  anything  o£  that  sort?" 

"  Well,  you  see,  sir,  I've  no  right  to  say  a  word,"  he 
replied,  sinking  his  voice.  "  If  they  thought  I  was  a 
talker,  mebbe  they'd  be  falling  upon  me  wi'  sticks;  but 
you've  always  been  a  kind  and  civil  young  gentleman 
to  me,  so  I  will  tell  you  as  Gentles  says  he  means  to 
pay  you  when  he  gets  a  chance." 

"  Then  I  must  keep  out  of  Mr.  Gentles's  way,"  I 
said,  laughing  outside,  for  I  felt  very  serious  in. 

"  Ay,  but  that  arn't  it,  Mester  Jacob,  sir,"  said 
old  Dunning,  to  make  me  more  comfortable.  "You 
see,  sir,  you  nivver  know  where  to  hev  a  man  like  that. 
He  might  hit  at  you  wi'  his  own  fisty,  but  it's  more'n 
likely  as  he'll  do  it  wi'  some  one  else's,  or  wi'  a  clog  or 
a  knobstick.  You  can  nivver  tell.  Good-night,  Mester 
Jacob,  sir.  Keep  a  sharp  look-out,  sir,  and  so  will  I, 
for  I  shouldn't  like  to  see  a  nice  well-spoken  young 
gentleman  like  you  spoiled." 

I  followed  Dunning  down  to  the  gate,  and  turned 
the  key  after  him,  feeling  horribly  alarmed. 


ALL   SEEMS   SAFE.  231 

Spoiled — not  like  to  see  a  boy  like  me  spoiled. 
What  did  spoiling  mean?  I  shuddered  at  the  thought, 
and  though  for  a  moment  I  thought  of  rushing  out 
and  getting  home  as  quickly  as  I  could,  there  was  a 
sort  of  fear  upon  me  that  a  party  of  men  might  be 
waiting  at  one  of  the  corners  ready  to  shoot  me. 

"I  must  wait  a  bit,  and  get  cool,"  I  said;  and  then 
looking  about  me,  I  shivered,  for  the  great  works 
looked  strange  and  deserted,  there  was  a  horrible  still- 
ness in  the  place,  and  I  had  never  felt  so  lonely  and 
unpleasantly  impressed  even  when  watching  in  the 
middle  of  the  night. 

Just  then  there  was  a  whine  and  a  bark,  and  Piter 
gave  his  chain  a  jerk. 

There  was  society  for  me  at  all  events,  and,  going 
to  the  kennel,  I  unhooked  the  spring  swivel  and  set 
the  dog  free,  when,  as  usual,  he  showed  his  pleasure  by 
butting  his  great  head  at  me  and  trying  to  force  it 
between  my  legs. 

I  was  used  to  it  and  knew  how  to  act,  but  with  a 
stranger  it  would  have  been  awkward  and  meant 
sitting  down  heavily  upon  the  dog  unless  he  leaped 
out  of  the  way. 

Of  course  I  did  not  sit  down  on  Piter,  but  lifted  a 
leg  over  him,  and  as  soon  as  he  had  become  steady 
made  a  sort  of  inspection  of  the  place  to  see  that  no- 
thing was  wrong,  feeling  that  it  was  a  sort  of  duty  to 
do,  as  I  was  left  alone. 

Piter  kept  close  to  me,  rubbing  my  leg  with  one  ear 
as  we  went  all  over  the  place,  and  as  I  found  no  powder 
cans  and  fuses,  no  bottles  full  of  fulminating  silver,  or 
any  other  deadly  implement,  my  spirits  rose  and  I 
began  to  laugh  at  myself  for  my  folly. 

There  was  only  the  lower  workshop  with  its  grind- 
stones to  look  through,  and  lit  up  as  it  was  by  the 
evening  sun  there  did  not  seem  to  be  anything  very 
terrible  there.     The  floor  was  wet,  and  the  stones  and 


232  THE   WHEEL-PIT. 

their  frames  and  bands  cast  broad  shadows  across  the 
place  and  on  the  opposite  wall,  but  nothing  seemed  to 
be  wrong,  only  I  could  hear  the  hollow  echoing  plash 
of  the  water  fallino-  from  the  wheel  sluice  down  into 
the  stone-walled  pit. 

There  was  nothing  new  in  this,  only  that  it  seemed 
a  little  plainer  than  usual,  and  as  I  looked  I  saw  that 
the  door  had  been  left  open. 

That  was  nothing  particular,  but  I  went  on  to  close 
it,  not  being  able  to  see  the  bottom,  the  view  being  cut 
off  by  a  great  solid  bench  in  the  middle  of  the  tioor. 
On  passing  round  this,  though,  I  saw  that  there  was 
something  wrong;  two  or  three  bands  had  gone  from 
as  many  grindstones,  and  had  evidently  been  hastily 
thrown  into  the  wheel-pit,  whoever  had  done  this 
having  left  one  on  the  floor,  half  in  and  half  out,  and 
keeping  the  door  from  shutting  close. 

"  That  couldn't  be  Gentles,"  I  said  aloud  as  I  threw 
back  the  door,  and  my  words  echoed  in  the  great  black 
place,  where  the  sunlight  was  cutting  the  shadow  in  a 
series  of  nearly  horizontal  rays  as  it  came  in  past  the 
wheel. 

I  could  see  at  a  glance  the  amount  of  the  mischief 
done:  one  band  was  evidently  down  in  the  water,  and 
hung  hitched  in  some  way  on  to  the  band  upon  the  floor. 
It  had  been  intended  to  be  dragged  in  as  well,  but  it 
had  caufjht  a-^-ainst  the  iron  of  the  rail  that  surrounded 
the  bracket-like  platform  the  width  of  the  door  and 
projecting  over  the  water,  which  was  ten  feet  below. 

I  recalled  standing  upon  it  to  catch  eels,  when  I 
contrived  to  catch  the  lost  bands  as  well,  and  thinking 
that  perhaps  after  all  there  were  several  of  the  straps 
sunken  below  me,  I  stooped  down,  took  hold  of  the 
band,  and  pulled. 

It  would  not  come,  being  caught  somehow  at  the 
edge  of  the  platform;  so  gathering  it  closely  in  my 
hands  rather  unwillingly,  for  it  was  a  wet  oily  aflTair, 


A    I'LUiNGE    INTO   THE    WHEEL-PIT. 


A   ROWLAND    FOR   AN    OLIVER,  233 

I  stepped  on  to  the  platform,  uttered  a  shriek,  and  fell 
with  a  tremendous  splash  into  the  water  below.  I 
felt  the  platform  give  way,  dropping  at  once  from 
beneath  my  feet,  and  though  I  snatched  at  it  my 
hands  glided  over  the  boards  in  an  instant  and  I  was 
down  amidst  a  tangle  of  bands  in  the  deep  black  water. 


\0/<    rr^J* 


CHAPTER  XX. 


A  COMPANION  IN   TROUBLE. 


CAN'T  tell  vou  the  horrors  of  those  mo- 
ments  as  they  appeared  to  me.  No  descrip- 
tion could  paint  it  all  exactly;  but  one 
moment  I  was  down  in  darkness  with  the 
current  thundering  in  my  ears,  the  next  I  was  up  at  the 
surface  beating  and  splashing,  listening  to  the  echoing 
of  the  water,  which  sounded  hollow  and  strange,  look- 
ing up  at  the  sunshine  that  streamed  in  past  the  wheel, 
and  then  I  went  under. 

It  is  a  strange  admission  to  make,  but  in  those  first 
few  moments  of  surprise  and  horror  I  forgot  that  I 
knew  how  to  swim,  and  all  my  movements  were  in- 
stinctive and  only  wearied  and  sent  me  down  again 
after  I  had  risen. 

Then  reason  came  to  my  help,  and  I  began  to  strike 
out  slowly  and  swam  to  the  side  of  the  great  stone 
chamber,  passing  one  hand  along  the  slimy  wall  trying 
to  get  some  hold,  but  finding  none ;  and  then  swimming 
straight  across  to  the  other  side  and  trying  there,  for 
I  dared  not  approach  the  wheel,  which  looked  horrible 
and  dangerous,  and  I  felt  that  if  I  touched  it  the  great 
circle  would  begin  to  revolve,  and  perhaps  take  me 
down  under  the  water,  carry  me  up  on  the  other  side, 
and  throw  me  over  again. 

It  looked  too  horrible,  all  wet,  slimy,  and  dripping 


THE  HORROKS.  235 

as  it  was,  or  possibly  I  might  have  climbed  up  it  and 
reached  the  edge  of  the  dam,  so  I  swam  right  beyond 
it  and  felt  along  the  other  side,  but  without  avail. 
'There  was  nothing  but  the  slimy  stonework,  try 
where  I  would,  and  the  chill  of  horror  began  to  have  a 
numbing  effect  on  my  arms. 

I  swam  on  to  and  fro  beneath  the  doorway,  with  the 
little  platform  hanging  by  one  end  far  above  my  head, 
and  once  as  I  swam  my  foot  seemed  to  touch  some- 
thing, which  might  have  been  a  piece  of  the  sunken 
wood  or  iron  work,  but  which  made  nio  shrink  as  if 
some  horrible  monster  had  made  a  snatch  at  me. 

I  shouted,  but  there  was  only  the  hollow  echoing  of 
the  stone  chamber  and  the  lapping  and  whispering  of 
the  water;  and,  knowing  that  I  was  alone  locked  in 
the  works,  the  terrible  idea  began  to  dance  before  me 
that  I  was  going  to  die,  for  unless  I  could  save  myself 
I  need  not  expect  help. 

The  thought  unnerved  me  more  and  more  and  made 
me  swim  more  rapidly  in  the  useless  fashion  I  was 
pursuing,  and  once  more  I  stared  in  a  shrinking  way 
at  the  great  wheel,  which,  innocent  enough  in  itself, 
seemed  a  more  terrible  engine  than  ever.  I  knew  it 
would  move  if  I  swam  across  and  clung  to  it,  and  I 
really  dared  not  go  near. 

There  was  always  something  repellent  and  strange 
even  in  a  big  water  cistern  in  a  house,  and  as  a  mere 
boy  I  have  often  started  back  in  terror  at  the  noise 
made  by  the  pipes  when  the  water  was  coming  driving 
the  air  before  it  with  a  snorting  gurgle,  and  then 
pouring  in,  while  to  climb  up  a  ladder  or  set  of  steps 
and  look  down  into  the  black  watery  place  always 
gave  me  a  shudder  and  made  me  glad  to  get  away. 

It  is  easy  to  imagine,  then,  what  my  feelings  were, 
suddenly  cast  into  that  great  stone-walled  place,  with 
I  did  not  know  what  depth  of  water  beneath  me,  and 
inhabited  as  I  knew  by  large  twining  eels. 


23 G  IN    PERIL   OF   DEATH. 

I  daresay  the  eels  were  as  much  afraid  of  me  as  I 
was  of  thein;  but  that  made  no  difference  to  my  feel- 
ings as  I  swam  here  and  there  trying  in  vain  for  some- 
thing  to  which  to  cling;  but  in  the  darkest  parts  as 
well  as  the  lightest  it  was  always  the  same,  my  hand 
glided  over  the  stones  and  splashed  down  again  into 
the  water. 

I  was  too  much  confused  to  think  much,  and  moment 
by  moment  I  was  growing  more  helpless.  I  can  re- 
member making  a  sort  of  bound  to  try  and  get  a  hold 
of  the  broken  platform  above  my  head,  but  the  effect 
of  that  effort  was  only  to  send  me  below  the  surface. 
I  can  recall,  too,  thinking  that  if  I  let  my  feet  down 
I  might  find  bottom,  but  this  I  dared  not  do  for  fear  of 
what  might  be  below;  and  so,  each  moment  growing 
more  feeble,  I  stared  at  the  opened  doorway  through 
which  I  had  come,  at  the  iron-barred  grating  through 
which  the  water  escaped,  and  which  was  the  entrance 
to  a  tunnel  or  drain  that  ran  beneath  the  works.  Then 
I  turned  my  eyes  up  at  the  sunlit  opening  through 
which  seemed  to  come  hope  surrounding  the  black 
tooth-like  engine  that  was  hung  there  ready  to  turn 
and  grind  me  down. 

My  energy  was  nearly  exhausted,  the  water  was 
above  my  lips,  and  after  a  wild  glare  round  at  the 
slimy  walls  the  whispering  lapping  echoes  were 
changed  for  the  thunderous  roar  and  confusion  felt  by 
one  plunged  beneath  the  surface;  and  in  my  blind 
horror  I  began  beating  the  water  frantically  in  my 
last  struggle  for  life. 

Natural  instinct  seems  to  have  no  hesitation  in  seiz- 
ing upon  the  first  help  that  comes.  It  was  so  here.  I 
might  have  swum  to  the  wheel  at  first  and  clung  to  it, 
but  I  was  afraid;  but  now,  after  going  under  once  or 
twice — I'm  sure  I  don't  know  which — I  came  up  in 
close  proximity  to  the  great  mass  of  slimy  wood- 
work, one  of  my  hands  touched  it,  the  other  joined  it 


CLINGING   TO   THE   WHEEL.  237 

directly,  and   I  clung  panting  there,  blind,  confused, 
helpless,  but  able  to  breathe. 

Almost  at  the  same  moment,  and  before  I  knew 
what  1  was  holding  on  by,  there  came  a  sound  which 
sent  hope  and  joy  into  my  heart.  It  was  the  whim- 
pering whine  of  Piter,  who  directly  after  set  up  a  short 
yapping  kind  of  bark,  and  I  had  a  kind  of  idea  that 
he  must  be  somewhere  on  the  woodwork  inside  the 
wheel. 

I  did  not  know  that  he  had  fallen  in  at  the  same 
time  as  I;  and  though  once  or  twice  I  had  heard  him 
whining,  I  did  not  realize  that  he  was  also  m  danger; 
in  fact  the  horrible  overwhelming  selfishness  of  the 
desire  for  self-preservation  had  swept  away  everything 
but  the  thought  of  how  I  was  to  get  out  of  my  trouble. 

Every  moment  now  gave  me  a  little  confidence, 
though  it  was  nearly  driven  away  when,  able  to  see 
clearly  again,  I  found  myself  holding  on  by  one  of  the 
wooden  pocket-like  places  formed  with  boards  on  the 
outer  circumference  of  the  engine — the  places  in  fact 
into  which,  when  the  sluice  was  opened,  the  water 
rushed,  and  by  its  weight  bore  the  wheel  round. 

After  a  few  minutes'  clinging  there,  beginning  to 
feel  numbed  and  chilled  by  the  cold,  I  realized  that 
the  sun  was  setting,  that  the  patches  of  light  were 
higher,  and  that  in  a  very  few  minutes  the  horrors  of 
this  place  would  be  increased  tenfold  by  my  being 
plunged  in  profound  darkness. 

I  dreaded  moving,  but  I  knew  that  the  water  could 
not  come  down  upon  me  unless  the  sluice  was  opened, 
and  that  was  turned  off  when  the  men  left  work,  so 
that  the  water  was  saved  for  the  next  day,  and  the 
wheel  ceased  to  turn.  I  determined  then  to  try  and 
climb  up  from  pocket  to  pocket  of  the  wheel  and  so 
reach  the  stone-race  at  the  opening,  along  which  the 
water  poured. 

My  courage  revived  at  this,  and  drawing  my  legs 


238  MY    I'OSITION    AND   GENTLES'. 

under  me  I  got  them  upon  one  of  the  edges  of  the 
pocket  beneath  the  water,  raised  mj^seli'  up  and  caught 
hold  of  one  higher  than  I  had  hold  of  before,  and  was 
about  to  take  a  step  higher  when,  to  my  horror,  the 
huge  wheel  began  to  feel  the  etiect  of  my  weight,  and 
gradually  the  part  I  held  descended. 

At  the  same  moment  there  was  a  loud  splash,  a 
beating  of  the  water,  a  whining  barking  noise,  and  I 
knew  I  had  shaken  Piter  oif  the  bar  or  sj)oke  to  which 
he  had  been  clinging  inside. 

"Here,  Piter;  here  dog,"  I  shouted;  and  he  swam 
round  to  me,  whining  piteously  and  seeming  to  ask  me 
for  help. 

This  I  was  able  to  give  him,  for,  holding  tightly 
with  one  hand,  I  got  my  right  arm  round  him  and 
helped  him  to  scramble  up  into  one  of  the  pockets, 
though  the  effort  had  weighed  down  the  wheel  and  I 
sank  deeper  in  the  water. 

I  made  another  trial  to  climb  up,  but  though  the 
resistance  of  the  great  wheel  was  sutiicient  to  support 
me  partly  it  soon  began  to  revolve,  and  I  knew  that  it 
would  go  faster  if  I  tried  to  struggle  up. 

I  heaved  a  despairing  sigh,  and  for  tlie  first  time 
began  to  think  of  Gentles. 

"  This  must  be  his  doing,"  I  said  to  myself.  He  had 
set  some  one  to  take  out  the  support  of  the  little  plat- 
form, and  I  was  obliged  to  own  that  after  all  he  had 
only  set  a  trap  for  me  just  as  I  had  set  one  for  him. 

Still  there  was  a  great  difference:  he  was  on  his  way 
to  do  harm  when  he  was  caught — I  was  engaged  in  my 
lawful  pursuits  and  trying  to  do  good. 

I  had  another  trial,  and  another,  but  found  it  would, 
in  my  exhausted  state,  be  impossible  to  climb  up,  and 
as  1  clung  there,  up  to  my  chest  in  the  water,  and  with 
the  dog  close  to  me,  he  whined  piteously  and  licked 
my  face. 

The  next  minute  he  began  to  bark,  stood  up  with 


LOSING   HOPE.  239 

his  bind  feet  on  the  edge  of  one  bar,  his  fore  paws  on 
the  one  above,  and  made  a  bound. 

To  my  surprise  he  reached  his  aim,  and  his  weight 
having  no  effect  on  the  wheel,  he  scrambled  up  and  up 
till  I  knew  he  must  have  reached  the  top. 

There  was  no  doubt  about  it. 

The  next  minute  I  heard  the  rattling  shaking  noise 
made  by  a  dog  when  getting  rid  of  the  water  in  its 
coat.  Then  a  loud  and  joyous  barking.  Then  only  the 
dripping,  plashing  sound  of  the  water  that  escaped 
through  the  sluice  and  came  running  in  and  falling 
about  the  wheel. 

What  time  was  it  ?  About  half-past  six,  and  the 
men  would  not  come  to  work  till  the  next  morning. 
Could  I  hancr  there  till  then? 

I  knew  it  was  impossible — that  in  perhaps  less  than 
half  an  hour  I  should  be  compelled  to  loose  my  hold 
and  fall  back  into  the  black  water  without  strength 
to  stir  a  paralysed  arm. 

I  shouted  again  and  again,  but  the  walls  echoed  back 
my  cry,  and  I  knew  it  was  of  no  use,  for  it  was  im- 
possible for  any  one  to  hear  me  outside  the  place.  It 
was  only  wasting  strength,  and  that  was  wanted  to 
sustain  me  as  long  as  possible. 

There  was  one  hope  for  me,  though:  my  uncles 
would  be  returning  from  Redham  at  ten  or  eleven 
o'clock,  and,  not  finding  me  at  home,  they  would  come 
in  search  of  me. 

When  it  is  too  late! 

I  must  have  said  that  aloud,  for  the  word  late  came 
echoing  back  from  the  wall,  and  for  a  time  I  hung 
there,  feeling  numbed,  as  it  were,  in  my  head,  and  as 
slow  at  thinking  or  trying  to  imagine  some  way  of 
escape  as  I  was  at  movement. 

But  I  made  one  more  eftbrt. 

It  seemed  to  be  so  pitiful  that  a  wretched,  brainless 
dog,  when  placed  in  a  position  like  this,  should  be  able 


540  NEARLY   DONE. 

to  scramble  out,  while  I,  with  the  power  of  thinking 
given  to  me,  with  reason  and  some  invention,  was 
perfectly  helpless. 

This  thought  seemed  to  send  a  current  like  electricity- 
through  me,  nerving  me  to  make  another  effort,  and 
loosening  one  hand  I  caught  at  the  bar  above  me  as 
before,  changed  the  position  of  my  feet,  and  began  to 
climb. 

I  gave  up  with  a  groan,  for  I  was  only  taking  the 
place  of  the  water  and  turning  the  wheel  just  as  a 
turnspit  dog  would  work,  or  a  squirrel  in  its  cage, 
only  that  I  was  outside  the  wheel  and  they  would  have 
been  in. 

I  came  down  with  a  splash;  and  as  I  clung  there  I 
could  hear  the  water  go  softly  lapping  against  the  wall 
and  whispering  in  the  corners  as  if  it  were  talking  to 
itself  about  how  soon  I  should  have  to  loose  my  hold, 
sink  down,  and  be  drowned. 

I  was  weakened  by  this  last  effort  as  well  as  by  the 
strain  upon  my  nerves,  and  as  the  water  ceased  to  lap 
and  whisper  a  horrible  silence  crept  down  into  the  place 
in  company  with  the  darkness.  Only  a  few  minutes 
before  all  was  bright  where  the  sun  rays  flashed  in; 
now  there  was  only  a  soft  glow  to  be  seen,  and  all 
about  me  black  gloom. 

I  grew  more  and  more  numbed  and  helpless,  and  but 
for  the  fact  that  I  hung  there  by  my  hands  being- 
crooked  over  the  edge  of  the  board  across  the  wheel,  I 
believe  I  must  have  fallen  back,  but  my  fingers  stiffened 
into  position  and  helped  me  to  retain  my  hold,  till  at 
last  they  began  to  give  way. 

I  had  been  thinking  of  home  and  of  my  uncles,  and 
wondering  how  soon  they  would  find  me,  and  all  in  a 
dull  nerveless  way,  for  1  suppose  I  was  too  much  ex- 
hausted to  feel  much  mental  or  bodily  pain,  when  all 
at  once  I  began  to  recall  stories  I  had  read  about  the 
St.  Bernard  dogs  and  the  travellers  in  the  snow;  and 


HELP   WHERE   NOT   EXPECTED.  241 

then  about  the  shepherds'  collies  in  the  north  and  the 
intelligence  they  displayed. 

Several  such  tales  came  to  my  memory,  and  I  was 
just  thinking  to  myself  that  they  were  all  nonsense, 
for  if  dogs  had  so  much  intelligence,  why  had  not 
Piter,  who  had  a  head  big  enough  for  a  double  share 
of  dogs'  brains,  gone  and  fetched  somebody  to  help  me, 
instead  of  making  his  own  escape,  and  then  going  and 
curling  himself  up  by  one  of  the  furnaces  to  get  dry — 
a  favourite  place  of  his  if  he  had  the  chance. 

Just  then,  as  I  seemed  to  be  half  asleep,  I  heard  a 
sharp  bark  at  a  distance,  then  another  nearer,  and 
directly  after  Piter  was  on  the  top  of  the  wheel,  where 
he  had  stepped  from  the  sluice  trough,  barking  with 
all  his  mioht. 

"  Wheer  is  he  then,  boy?  wheer  is  he  then?"  said  a 
gruff  hoarse  voice. 

Piter  barked  more  furiously  than  ever,  and  the  glow 
seemed  to  give  way  to  darkness  overhead,  as  the  voice 
muttered : 

"  Dear,  dear !  Hey !  think  o'  that  now.  Mester  Jacob, 
are  you  theer?" 

"  Help!"  I  said,  so  faintly  that  I  was  afraid  I  should 
not  be  heard. 

"  Wheerabouts  ?     In  the  watter  ? " 

"  I'm — on — the  wheel,"  I  cried  weakly,  and  then,  as 
I  heard  the  sound  of  someone  drawing  in  his  breath, 
I  strove  to  speak  once  more  and  called  out: 

"  Turn  the  wheel." 

It  began  to  move  directly,  but  taking  me  down  into 
the  water,  and  I  uttered  a  cry,  when  the  wheel  turned 
in  the  other  direction,  drawing  me  out  and  up.  My 
arms  straightened  out ;  I  was  drawn  closer  to  the 
wood- work.  I  felt  that  I  should  slip  off,  when  my  toes 
rested  upon  one  of  the  bars,  while,  as  I  rose  higher,  the 
tension  on  my  arms  grew  less,  and  then  less,  and  at  last, 
instead  of  hanging,  I  was  lying  upon  my  chest.    Then 

(322^  Q 


242  IN   THE   STOKE-HOLE. 

a  pair  of  great  hands  laid  hold  of  me,  and  Piter  was 
licking  my  face. 

Pannell  told  me  afterwards  that  he  had  to  carry  me 
all  alonw  the  narrow  stone  ledi^e  to  the  window  of  his 
smithy,  and  thrust  me  through  there  before  climbing 
in  after  me,  for  it  was  impossible  to  get  into  the  yard 
the  other  way  without  a  boat. 

I  must  have  fainted,  I  suppose,  for  when  I  opened 
my  eyes  again,  though  it  was  in  darkness,  the  icy 
water  was  not  round  me,  but  I  was  lying  on  the  warm 
ashes  down  in  one  of  the  stoke-holes;  and  the  faint 
glow  of  the  half-extinct  tire  was  shining  upon  the  shiny 
brown  forehead  of  the  big  smith. 

"Pannell!"  I  exclaimed,  "where  am  I?" 

"  Get  out ! "  he  growled.    "  Just  as  if  yow  didn'  know." 

"Did  you  save  me?" 

"'Sh,  will  yo'!"  he  whispered.  "How  do  we  know 
who'r  a  watching  an'  listening:  ?  Yow  want  to  get  me 
knobsticked,  that's  what  yow  want." 

"  No,  no,"  I  said,  shivering. 

"  Yow  know  where  we  are,  o'  course.  Down  in  the 
big  stokul;  but  be  quiet.     Don't  shout." 

"How  did  you  know  I  was  in  there?" 

"What,  in  yonder?" 

"Yes,  of  course;  oh  how  my  arms  ache  and  throb!" 

"Let  me  give  'em  a  roob,  my  lad,"  he  said;  and 
strongly,  but  not  unkindly,  he  rubbed  and  seemed  to 
knead  my  arms,  especially  the  muscles  above  my  elbows, 
talking  softly  in  a  gruff  murmur  all  the  while. 

"  I  did  give  you  a  wink,  lad,"  ho  said,  "  for  I  know'd 
that  some'at  was  on  the  way.  I  didn'  know  what,  nor 
that  it  was  so  bad  as  that  theer.  Lor'  how  can  chaps 
do  it!     Yow  might  hev  been  drowned." 

"Yes,"  I  said  with  a  shiver.     "The  cowards!" 

"  Eh !  don't  speak  aloud,  lad.  How  did  you  get  in  ? 
Some  un  push  thee?" 

"  Push  me!  no;  the  platform  was  broken  loose,  and 


WHAT   PITER   DID.  243 

a  trap  set  for  me,  baited  with  a  wheel-band,"  I  added 
angrily. 

Pannell  burst  into  a  laugh,  and  then  checked  himself. 

"  I  weer  not  laughing  at  yow,  lad,"  he  whispered, 
"but  at  owd  Gentles.     80  yow  got  in  trap  too?" 

"Trapped!  yes;  the  cowardly  wretches!" 

■'  Ay,  'twere  cowardly.  Lucky  I  came.  Couldn't  feel 
bottom,  eh?" 

"  No." 

"Nay,  yow  wouldn't;  there's  seven  foot  o'  watter 
there,  wi'out  mood." 

"How  did  you  know  I  was  there?" 

"What!  didn'  I  tell  ye?" 

"  No." 

"  I  were  hani-ing  about  like,  as  nigh  as  I  could  for 
chaps,  a  waitin'  to  see  yow  go  home;  but  yow  didnt 
coom,  and  yow  didn't  coom ;  and  I  got  crooked  like  wi' 
waiting,  and  wondering  whether  yow'd  gone  another 
way,  when  all  at  once  oop  comes  the  bull  poop  tierce 
like,  and  lays  holt  o'  me  by  the  leg,  and  shakes  it  liard. 
I  was  going  to  kick  un,  but  he'd  on'y  got  holt  of  my 
trowsis,  and  he  kep  on'  shacking.  Then  he  lets  go  and 
barks  and  looks  at  me,  and  takes  holt  o'  my  trowsis 
agin,  and  hangs  away,  pulling  like,  till  I  seemed  to 
see  as  he  wanted  me  to  coom,  and  I  followed  him." 

"Good  old  Piter!"  I  said;  and  there  was  a  whine. 
I  did  not  know  it,  but  Piter  was  curled  up  on  the  warm 
ashes  close  by  me,  and  as  soon  as  he  heard  his  name 
he  put  up  his  head,  whined,  and  rapped  the  ashes  with 
his  stumpy  tail. 

"He  went  to  the  wucks  fast  as  he  could,  and  slipped 
in  under  the  gate;  but  I  couldn't  do  that,  you  see,  Mes- 
ter,  and  the  gate  was  locked,  so  I  was  just  thinking 
what  I'd  best  do,  and  wondering  where  you  might  be, 
when  I  see  Stivens  come  along,  looking  as  if  he'd  like 
to  howd  m}^  nose  down  again  his  grindstone,  and  that 
made  me  feel  as  if  I'd  like  to  get  one  of  his  ears  in  my 


244  WATCHED. 

tongs,  and  his  head  on  my  stithy.  He  looked  at  me, 
and  I  looked  at  him,  and  then  I  come  away  and  waited 
till  he'd  gone." 

"It  seemed  as  if  help  would  never  come,"  I  said. 

"  Ay,  it  weer  long  time,"  said  Pannell ;  "  but  I  found 
no  one  about  at  last,  and  I  slipped  over  the  wall." 

"  Yes,  and  I  know  where,"  1  said. 

"  And  there  was  Piter  waiting  and  wanting  me  to 
follow  him.  But  there  was  no  getting  in — the  doors 
were  locked.  I  seemed  to  know,  though,  that  the  dog 
wanted  to  get  me  to  the  wheel-pit,  and  when  I  tried 
to  think  how  to  get  to  you  I  found  there  was  no  way 
'cept  through  my  forge.  80  I  got  out  o'  my  window, 
and  put  the  dorg  down,  and — well,  I  came.  Arn't  much 
of  a  fire  here,  but  if  I  blow  it  up  Stivens  or  some  on 
'em  will  hear  it,  or  see  it,  or  something;  and  I  s'pose  I 
shall  have  it  for  to-nic>:ht's  work." 

I  did  feel  warmer  and  better  able  to  move,  and  at 
last  I  rose  to  make  the  best  of  my  way  back. 

"  Nobody  will  notice  my  wet  things,"  I  said,  "  now 
it's  dark.  I  don't  know  what  to  say  to  thank  you, 
Pannell." 

"  Say  I  was  a  big  boompkin  for  meddling  ower  what 
didn't  consarn  me.  If  I  don't  come  to  wuck  to-morrow 
you  11  know  why." 

"No;  I  shall  not,"  I  cried  wonderingly. 

"Ah,  then,  you'll  have  time  to  find  out,"  he  mut- 
tered.    "  Good-nioht,  lad!" 

"  Stop  a  moment  and  I'll  open  the  gate,"  I  cried. 

"  Nay,  I  shall  go  out  as  I  come  in.  Mayn't  be  seen 
then.     Mebbe  the  lads'll  be  watching  by  the  gate." 

He  stalked  out,  and  as  I  followed  him  I  saw  his  tall 
gaunt  figure  going  to  the  corner  of  the  yard  where  the 
trap  was  set,  and  then  there  was  a  scuffling  noise,  and 
he  had  gone. 

I  left  the  place  soon  after,  and  as  I  fastened  the 
gate  I  fancied  1  saw  Stevens  and  a  man  who  limped 


NOT   BEATEN    BY    FEAR.  245 

in  his  walk;  but  I  could  not  be  sure,  for  the  gas  lamp 
cast  but  a  very  feeble  light,  and  I  was  too  eager  to  get 
home  and  change  my  things  to  stop  and  watch. 

The  run  did  me  good,  and  by  the  time  I  had  on  a 
dry  suit  I  was  very  little  the  worse  for  my  immersion, 
being  able  to  smile  as  I  told  my  uncles  at  their  re- 
turn. 

They  looked  serious  enough,  though,  and  Uncle  Jack 
said  it  was  all  owing  to  the  trap. 

The  question  of  putting  the  matter  in  the  hands 
of  the  police  was  again  well  debated,  but  not  carried 
out — my  uncles  concluding  that  it  would  do  no  good 
even  if  the  right  man  were  caught,  for  in  punishing 
him  we  should  only  have  the  rest  who  were  banded 
together  more  bitter  against  us. 

"  Better  carry  on  the  war  alone,"  said  Uncle  Dick ; 
"  we  must  win  in  the  end." 

"  If  we  are  not  first  worn  out,"  said  the  others. 

"Which  we  shall  not  be,"  cried  Uncle  Dick,  laughing. 
"  There  are  three  of  us  to  wear  out,  and  as  one  gets 
tired  it  will  enrage  the  others;  while  when  all  three 
of  us  are  worn  out  we  can  depute  Cob  to  carry  on  the 
war,  and  he  is  as  obstinate  as  all  three  of  us  put 
together." 

They  looked  at  me  and  laughed,  but  I  felt  too  much 
stirred  to  follow  their  example. 

"It  is  too  serious,"  I  said,  "to  treat  like  that;  for  I 
am  obstinate  now  much  more  than  I  was,  and  I  should 
like  to  show  these  cowards  that  we  are  not  going  to  be 
frightened  out  of  the  town." 

"  Cob  don't  know  what  fear  is,"  said  Uncle  Jack 
with  a  bit  of  a  sneer. 

"  Indeed  but  I  do,"  I  replied.  "  I  was  horribly  fright- 
ened when  I  fell  into  that  place;  but  the  more  they 
frighten  me,  the  more  I  want  for  us  to  make  them 
feel  that  we  are  not  to  be  beaten  by  fear." 

"Bravo!"  cried  Uncle  Bob,  clapping  his  hands. 


246  WE    SEE   SOMEONE. 

"There!  let's  go  on  with  our  work,"  said  Uncle  Dick; 
"  we  must  win  in  the  end." 

To  have  seen  the  works  during  the  next  few  days, 
anyone  would  have  supposed  that  there  had  never 
been  the  slightest  trouble  there.  After  due  consider- 
ation the  little  platform  had  been  replaced  and  the 
bands  taken  from  the  grindstone  gear  duly  put  in 
position,  the  men  taking  not  the  slightest  notice,  but 
working  away  most  industriously. 

Pannell,  however,  did  not  come  back,  and  his  forge 
was  cold,  very  much  to  my  uncles'  annoyance.  On 
inquiry  being  made  we  were  told  that  his  mother  was 
dying,  and  that  he  had  been  summoned  to  see  her. 

I  felt  a  little  suspicious,  but  could  hardly  believe 
that  anything  was  wrong,  till  one  evening  Uncle  Jack 
proposed  that  we  two  should  have  a  walk  out  in  the 
country  for  a  change. 

I  was  only  too  glad,  for  the  thought  of  getting  away 
from  the  smoke  and  dirt  and  noise  was  delic^htful. 

So  as  to  get  out  sooner  we  took  a  short  cut  and  were 
going  down  one  of  the  long  desolate-looking  streets  of 
rows  of  houses  all  alike,  and  built  so  as  to  be  as  ugly 
as  possible,  when  we  saw  on  the  opposite  side  a  man 
seated  upon  a  door-step  in  his  shirt-sleeves,  and  with 
his  head  a  good  deal  strapped  and  bandaged. 

"  That's  one  of  the  evils  of  a  manufacturing  trade 
where  machinery  is  employed,"  said  Uncle  Jack.  "I'm 
afraid  that,  generally  speaking,  the  acsidents  are  occa- 
sioned by  the  men's  carelessness  or  bravado;  but  even 
then  it  is  a  painful  thing  to  know  that  it  is  your 
machinery  that  has  mutilated  a  poor  fellow.  That 
poor  fellow  has  been  terribly  knocked  about,  seem- 
ingly." 

"Yes,"  I  said,  looking  curiously  across  the  road. 

"  So  far  we  have  been  wonderfully  fortunate,  but — 
here,  this  way!  where  are  you  going?" 

"Over  here,"  I  said,  already  half  across  the  road; 


pannell's  payment.  2i7 

for  the  brawny  arms  and  long  doubled-up  legs  of  the 
man  seemed  familiar. 

"Why?"  cried  Uncle  Jack;  but  he  followed  me 
directly. 

"Pannell!"  I  exclaimed. 

"What,  Mester  Jacob!"  he  cried,  lifting  up  his  head 
with  his  face  in  my  direction,  but  a  broad  bandage 
was  over  his  eyes." 

"Why,  what's  all  this?"  I  cried;  "have  you  had 
some  accident?" 

"Yes,  met  wi'  acciden'  done  o'  purpose." 

"But  they  said  your  mother  was  dying,"  I  cried  as  I 
held  the  great  hard  hand,  which  was  now  quite  clean. 

"Ay,  so  I  heard  say,"  replied  the  great  fellow. 

"Is  she  better?" 

"Better!  well,  she  ain't  been  badly." 

"Not  dying?"  said  Uncle  Jack. 

"  What's  that  yow,  Mester?"  said  Pannell.  "  Sarvice 
to  you,  sir.  My  mother! — dying!  Well,  I  suppose  she 
be,  slowly,  like  the  rest  of  us." 

"But  wdiat  have  you  been  doing?"  I  cried.  "What 
a  state  you  are  in!" 

"  State  I'm  in !  Yow  should  have  seen  me  a  fortnit 
ago,  my  lad.     I'm  splendid  now — coming  round  fast." 

"But  how  was  it?"  cried  Uncle  Jack,  while  I  turned 
white  as  I  seemed  to  see  it  all. 

"How  was  it,  Mester!"  said  Pannell  laughing.  "Well, 
you  see,  I  weer  heving  bit  of  a  walluck,  wi'  my  pipe 
in  my  mooth,  and  it  being  bit  dusk  like  that  night  I 
didn't  see  which  way  I  were  going,  and  run  my  head 
again  some  bits  o'  wood." 

"Sticks!"  I  said  excitedly. 

He  turned  his  head  towards  me  smiling. 

"  Couldn't  see  rightly  as  to  that,  Mester  Jacob,"  he 
said ;  "  I  dessay  they  weer." 

"And  a  set  of  cowards  had  hold  of  them!"  I  cried. 

"Nay,  I  can't  say,"  replied  the  great  fellow.     "Yow 


248  PATIENCK 

see,  Master,  when  owt  hits  you  on  the  head  it  wuzzles 
you  like,  and  you  feel  maazed." 

Uncle  Jack  stood  frowning. 

"You  know  very  well,  Pannell,"  I  cried  angrilj'-, 
"  that  you  have  been  set  upon  by  some  of  these  trea- 
cherous cowards  for  helping  me  that  evening.  Oh, 
Uncle  Jack  I"  I  cried,  passionately  turning  to  him, 
"why  don't  you  go  to  the  police?" 

"Howd  thee  tongue,  lad!"  cried  Pannell  fiercely. 
"Yow  don't  know  nowt  about  it.  Don't  yow  do  nowt 
o'  t'  sort,  Mester.     Let  well  alone,  I  say." 

"  But  I  cannot  stand  still  and  see  these  outrages 
committed,"  said  Uncle  Jack  in  a  low  angry  voice. 

"  Hey,  but  thou'lt  hev  to,  'less  you  give  up  maakin' 
'ventions.  Trade  don't  like  'em,  and  trade  will  hev 
its  say." 

"But  that  you  should  have  been  so  brutally  used  for 
doing  a  manly  action  for  this  boy,"  began  Uncle 
Jack. 

"Theer,  theer,  theer,"  said  Pannell;  "I  don't  kick  agen 
it.  I  s'pected  they'd  do  some'at.  I  know'd  it  must 
coom.  Chap  as  breaks  the  laws  has  to  tek  his  bit  o' 
punishment.  Chaps  don't  bear  no  malice.  I'm  comin' 
back  to  work  next  week. ' 

"Look  here,"  said  Uncle  Jack,  who  was  a  good  deal 
moved  by  the  man's  calm  patience,  "what  are  we  to 
do  to  come  to  terms  with  the  workmen,  and  have  an 
end  to  these  outrages?" 

"Oh,  that's  soon  done,"  replied  Pannell,  rubbing  one 
great  muscular  arm  with  his  hand,  "yow've  just  got  to 
give  up  all  contrapshions,  and  use  reg'lar  old-fashioned 
steel,  and  it'll  be  all  right." 

"And  would  you  do  this,  my  man?"  said  Uncle  Jack, 
looking  down  at  the  great  muscular  fellow  before  him. 

"Ay,  I'd  do  it  for  sake  o'  peace  and  quiet.  I  should 
nivver  go  agen  trade." 

"And  you  would  advise  me  to  give  up  at  the  com- 


KNOBSTICKED.  249 

mand  of  a  set  of  ignorant  roughs,  and  make  myself 
their  slave  instead  of  master." 

"Mester  Jacob,"  said  Pannell,  "I  can't  see  a  bit  wi' 
this  towel  round  my  head;  look  uppards  and  downards; 
any  o'  the  chaps  coming?" 

"No,"  I  said. 

"Then  look  here,  Mester,  I  will  speak  if  I  nivver  do 
again.  No,  I  wouldn't  give  up  if  I  was  you,  not  if 
they  did  a  hundred  worse  things  than  they've  done 
yet.     Theer!" 

Uncle  Jack  looked  down  on  the  man,  and  then  said 
quickly: 

"And  you,  what  will  you  do?" 

"Get  to  wuck  again,  Mester,  as  soon  as  I  can." 

"And  the  men  who  beat  you  like  that?" 

"Eh,  what  about  'em?" 

"Shall  you  try  and  punish  them?" 

"Punish  'em,  Mester!  Why,  how  can  I?  They 
punished  me." 

"  But  you  will  turn  upon  them  for  this,  Pannell,  will 
you  not?" 

"Nay,  Mester;  I  went  again  'em,  and  they  knob- 
sticked  me  for  it,  and  it's  all  done  and  over.  1  shall 
soon  be  back  at  my  stithy,  if  you'll  hev^  me  again." 

"Have  you!  yes,  my  man,  of  course,"  said  Uncle 
Jack.     "I  wish  we  could  have  more  like  you." 

"Cob,"  said  Uncle  Jack  as  we  strode  on  and  got 
well  out  into  the  country,  "we've  got  a  very  strong 
confederation  to  fight,  and  I  do  not  feel  at  all  hopeful 
of  succeeding;  but,  there:  we've  put  our  hands  to  the 
plough,  and  we  can't  look  back.  Now  never  mind 
business,  let's  listen  to  the  birds  and  enjoy  the  fresh 
country  air  for  a  time." 

We  were  going  up  the  valley,  passing  every  now  and 
then  "a  wheel"  as  it  was  called,  that  is  a  water-wheel, 
turning  a  number  of  grindstones,  the  places  being 
remarkably  like  ours,  only  that  as  we  got  farther  out 


250  DISCUSSING   THE   SITUATION. 

the  people  who  ground  and  forged  did  their  work 
under  the  shade  of  trees,  while  the  birds  piped  their 
songs,  and  air  and  water  were  wonderfully  diti'erent 
from  M'hat  they  were  about  our  place  on  the  edge  of 
the  great  town. 

"  Let's  get  back,  Cob,"  said  Uncle  Jack  despondently. 
"It  makes  me  miseralile  to  hear  the  birds,  and  see  the 
beauty  of  the  hills  and  vales,  and  the  sparkling  water, 
and  know  that  men  toilincj  too-ether  in  towns  can  be 
such  ruffians  and  so  full  of  cruelty  to  their  fellow 
creatures." 

"And  so  strong  and  true  and  brave  and  ready  to 
help  one  another." 

"As  who  are,  Cob?"  said  my  uncle. 

"Well,  for  want  of  thinking  of  anyone  else  just 
now,"  I  said,  "there's  poor  Pannell;  he  saved  me,  and 
he  has  just  shown  us  that  he  is  too  faithful  to  his 
fellow  workmen  to  betray  them." 

Uncle  Jack  laid  his  hand  upon  my  shoulder  and 
gave  it  a  hearty  grip. 

"You'i-e  right,  my  lad,"  he  said.  "You're  the  better 
philosopher  after  all.  There's  good  and  bad,  and  like 
so  many  more  I  think  of  the  bad  and  overlook  the 
good.  But  all  the  same.  Cob,  I'm  very  uneasy.  These 
men  have  a  spiteful  feeling  against  you,  and  we  shall 
not  be  doing  right  if  we  trust  you  out  of  our  sight 
again." 


CHAPTER  XXI, 

TV  HAT    I    CAUGHT    AND    HEARD 

SHOULD  say  you  will  very  likely  have 
some  sport,"  said  Uncle  Dick.  "Try  by  all 
means." 

"I  hardly  like  to,  uncle,"  I  said. 

"Nonsense,  my  lad!  All  work  and  no  play  makes 
Jack — I  mean  Jacob — a  dull  boy." 

"  But  it  will  seem  as  if  I  am  neglecting  my  work." 

"  By  no  means.  Besides,  we  shall  not  be  busy  for  a 
day  or  two.  Have  a  few  hours'  fishing,  and  I  daresay 
one  of  us  will  come  and  see  how  you  are  getting  on." 

The  opportunity  was  too  tempting  to  be  lost,  so  1 
got  a  cheap  rod  and  a  dear  line — a  thoroughly  good 
one,  asked  a  gardener  just  outside  to  dig  up  some  small 
red  worms  for  me,  and,  furnishing  myself  with  some 
paste  and  boiled  rice,  I  one  morning  took  my  place  up 
at  the  head  of  the  dam  where  the  stream  came  in,  chose 
a  place  where  the  current  whirled  round  in  a  deep  hole 
and  began  fitting  my  tackle  together  prior  to  throw- 
ing in. 

I  had  been  longing  for  this  trial,  for  I  felt  sure  that 
there  must  be  some  big  fish  in  the  dam.  It  was  quite 
amongst  the  houses  and  factories,  but  all  the  same  it 
was  deep,  there  was  a  constant  run  of  fresh  water 
through  it,  and  I  had  more  than  once  seen  pieces  of 
bread  sucked  down  in  a  curiously  quiet  way,  as  if  taken 


252  A   TRY   IN    THE   DAiL 

by  a  great  slow  moving  fish,  a  carp  or  tench,  an  old  in- 
habitant of  the  place. 

Certainly  it  was  not  the  sort  of  spot  I  should  have 
selected  for  a  day's  fishing  had  I  been  ofl^ered  my  choice, 
but  it  was  the  best  I  could  obtain  then,  and  I  was  going 
to  make  the  most  of  it. 

I  laughed  to  myself  as  I  thought  of  the  eels,  and  the 
great  haul  I  had  made  down  in  the  wheel-pit,  and  then 
I  shuddered  as  I  thought  of  the  horrors  I  had  suffered 
down  there,  and  wondered  whether  our  troubles  with 
the  men  were  pretty  well  over. 

I  hoped  so,  for  from  what  I  heard  the  business  was 
succeeding  beyond  the  hopes  of  the  most  sanguine  of 
my  uncles,  and  if  we  were  left  alone  success  on  the 
whole  was  assured. 

Of  course  it  was  this  brilliant  prospect  that  induced 
them  to  stay  on  and  dare  the  perils  that  lurked  around, 
though,  during  the  past  few  weeks,  everything  had 
been  so  quiet  that  once  more  we  were  indulging  in  the 
hope  that  the  war  was  at  an  end. 

In  spite  of  Dr.  Johnson's  harsh  saying  about  a 
fisherman,  I  know  of  no  more  satisfactory  amusement 
than  is  to  be  found  in  company  with  a  rod  and  line. 
The  sport  may  be  bad,  but  there  is  the  country,  the 
bright  sky,  the  waving  trees,  the  dancing  waters,  and 
that  delicious  feeling  of  expectation  of  the  finest  bite 
and  the  biggest  fish  that  never  comes  but  always  may. 

I  was  in  this  state  of  expectancy  that  day.  The 
sport  was  not  good  certainly,  for  the  fish  I  caught 
were  small,  but  I  argued  that  where  there  were  small 
fish  there  must  be  large,  and  sooner  or  later  some  of 
the  monsters  of  the  dam  would  see  and  take  my  bait. 

I  fished  till  dinner-time,  varying  my  position,  and 
when  the  bell  rang  some  of  the  men  came  and  sat  on 
the  edge  and  watched  me,  chatting  civilly  enough  as 
they  smoked  their  pipes. 

As  luck  had  it  I  caught  a  couple  of  good-sized  silvery 


ON   THE   LEDGE.  253 

roach,  and  Stevens  gave  his  leg  a  regular  slap  as  he 
exclaimed : 

"  Well  if  they'd  towd  me  there  was  fish  like  that  i' 
th'  dam  wouldn't  hev  believed  it." 

The  bell  rang  for  work  to  be  resumed,  and  the  men 
slowly  moved  along  the  dam  edge,  Stevens  being  left, 
and  he  stopped  to  till  and  light  his  pipe — so  it  seemed 
to  me;  but  as  he  stooped  over  it,  puffing  away  large 
clouds  of  smoke,  1  heard  him  say: 

"Don't  look.  Soon  as  men's  gone  in,  yow  go  and 
stand  on  ledge  close  under  grinding-shop  windows,  and 
see  what  you  catch." 

"  It's  such  an  awkward  place  to  get  to,"  I  said.  "  I 
suppose  it's  deep,  but — " 

"  You  do  what  I  tell'ee,  and  don't  talk,"  growled 
Stevens,  and  he  strolled  off  with  his  hands  in  his 
pockets  after  his  mates. 

" I  shan't  go,"  I  said.  " It's  a  very  awkward  place 
to  get  to;  the  ledge  is  not  above  nine  inches  wide, 
and  if  I  got  hold  of  a  big  fish,  how  am  I  to  land 
him!" 

The  very  idea  of  getting  hold  of  a  fish  that  would 
be  too  hard  to  land  was  too  much  for  me,  and  I  should 
have  gone  to  the  ledge  if  it  had  only  been  four  and  a 
half  inches  wide.  So,  waiting  to  have  a  few  more 
throws,  which  were  without  result,  I  picked  up  my 
basket,  walked  right  round  the  end  of  the  dam,  and 
then  along  the  top  of  a  narrow  wall  till  I  reached  the 
end  of  the  works  at  the  far  side,  and  from  there  lowered 
myself  gently  down  on  the  ledge,  along  which  Pannell 
had  brought  me  when  he  rescued  me  from  the  wheel- 
pit,  right  at  the  other  end,  and  towards  which  I  was 
slowly  making  my  way. 

It  was  slow  travelling,  and  my  feet  were  not  above 
a  couple  of  inches  above  the  water,  while  the  windows 
of  the  grinding-shop  were  about  four  feet  above  my 
head. 


254  SLOW   WORK. 

I  made  no  special  selection,  but  stopped  rig-ht  in  the 
middle,  just  where  I  imagined  that  the  dam  head  would 
be  deepest,  and  softly  dropped  in  my  line  after  setting- 
down  my  basket  and  leaning  my  back  against  the 
stone  building. 

As  I  did  so  I  wished  that  there  had  been  a  place  to 
sit  down,  but  there  was  of  course  only  just  room  to 
stand,  and  there  I  was  with  the  water  gliding  on  and 
over  the  great  wheel  a  few  yards  to  my  left;  to  my 
right  the  windows,  out  of  which  poured  the  black  smoke 
of  the  forges,  and  from  which  came  the  clink  chink  of 
hannner  upon  anvil,  while  above  me  came  throbbing 
and  vibrating,  screeching  and  churring,  the  many  varied 
sounds  made  by  the  grinders  as  they  pressed  some  piece 
of  steel  against  the  swiftly  revolving  stone,  while,  in 
spite  of  dripping  drenching  water,  the  least  contact 
drew  from  the  stone  a  shower  of  sparks. 

I  fished  on,  after  making  a  few  alterations  in  the 
depth  of  ni}^  bait,  finding  the  water  far  deeper  than  I 
expected.  I  renewed  that  bait,  too,  but  no  monstrous 
fish  came  to  take  it,  to  hook  itself,  and  to  make  a  rush 
and  drag  me  off"  my  ledge.  The  sounds  buzzed  and 
rattled  overhead;  there  was  the  echoing  plash  of  the 
water  over  the  wheel,  and  the  whispering  echoes  which 
did  not  sound  at  all  terrible  now,  and  above  all  from 
the  windows  overhead,  in  intervals  of  the  grinding,  I 
could  hear  the  men  talking  very  earnestly  at  times. 

I  paid  very  little  heed,  for  I  was  interested  in  my 
fishing  and  the  water  across  which  the  spiders  were 
skating.  I  wanted  a  big  bite — that  big  bite — but  still 
it  did  not  come,  and  I  began  to  wonder  whether  there 
were  any  fish  of  size  in  the  place. 

"  There's  every  reason  why  there  should  be,"  I 
thought.  Deep  clear  water  fed  by  the  great  dam  up 
in  the  hills,  and  of  course  that  dam  was  fed  by  the 
mountain  streams.  This  place  was  all  amongst  build- 
ings, and  plenty  of  smuts  fell  on  the  surface;  in  fact 


POOR  SUCCESS.  255 

the  wind  used  to  send  a  regular  black  scum  floating 
along  to  the  sides. 

Ploii! 

My  heart  gave  a  throb  of  excitement,  for  there  was 
a  rise  evidently  made  by  a  big  tish  over  to  my  right 
close  inshore. 

"Now  if  I  had  been  there,"  I  thought,  "I  should  have 
most  likely  been  able  to  catch  that  lish  and  then — " 

Bah!  Who  wanted  to  catch  a  great  water-rat  that 
had  plumped  off  the  bank  into  the  water?  I  could  see 
the  sleek-coated  fellow  paddling  about  close  inshore. 
Then  he  dived  down,  and  there  were  a  lot  of  tiny  bub- 
bles to  show  his  course  before  he  went  right  in  under 
the  bank,  which  was  full  of  holes. 

I  could  almost  fancy  I  was  in  the  country,  for  there 
were  a  few  rushes  and  some  sedgy  growth  close  to 
where  the  rat  had  been  busy.  Farther  off,  too,  there 
was  the  sound  that  I  had  heard  down  in  a  marshy  part 
of  Essex  with  my  uncles,  during  one  of  our  excursions. 
"Quack,  quack,  quack!  Wuck,  wuck,  wuck!" — a  duck 
and  a  drake  just  coming  down  to  the  water  to  drink 
and  bathe  and  feed  on  the  water- weed  and  snails. 

Yes;  it  quite  put  me  in  mind  of  the  country  to  have 
wild  ducks  coming  down  to  the  pool,  and — there  were 
the  two  wild  ducks !  One,  as  the  cry  had  told  me,  was 
a  drake,  and  he  had  once  been  white,  but  old  age  and 
Arrowfield  soot  and  the  dirty  little  black  yard  where 
he  generally  lived  had  changed  his  tint  most  terribly, 
and  though  he  plunged  in,  and  bobbed  and  jerked  the 
water  all  over  his  back,  and  rubbed  the  sides  of  his 
head  and  his  beak  all  among  his  feathers,  they  were 
past  cleaning. 

As  to  his  wife,  who  expressed  herself  with  a  loud 
quack,  instead  of  sajang  %uuck,  luuck  in  more  smothered 
tones,  she  was  possibly  quite  as  dirty  as  her  lord,  but 
being  brown  the  dirt  did  not  show.  Her  rags  did,  for 
a  more  disreputable  bird  I  never  saw,  though  she,  too, 


256  I   HEAR   SOMETHING. 

washed  and  flapped  her  wings,  and  dived  and  drenched 
herself  before  getting  out  on  the  bank  to  preen  and 
beak  over  her  feathers. 

Alas !  as  people  say  in  books,  it  was  not  the  country, 
but  dingy,  smoke-bewithered  Arrowfield,  and  I  won- 
dered to  myself  why  a  couple  of  birds  with  wings 
should  consent  to  stay  amongst  factories  and  works. 

I  knew  the  top  of  my  float  by  heart;  so  must  that 
skating  spider  which  had  skimmed  up  to  it,  running 
over  the  top  of  the  water  as  easily  as  if  it  were  so 
much  ice.  I  was  growing  drowsy  and  tired.  Certainl}^ 
I  leaned  my  back  up  against  the  wall,  but  it  was  quite 
upright,  and  there  was  no  recompense.  Whatever  is 
the  use  of  watching  a  float  that  will  not  bob  ?  It  may 
be  one  of  the  best  to  be  got  in  a  tackle-shop,  with  a 
lovely  subdivision  of  the  paint — blue  at  the  bottom 
and  white  at  the  top,  or  green  and  white,  or  blue  and 
red,  but  if  it  obstinately  persists  in  sitting  jauntily 
cocked  up  on  the  top  of  the  water  immovable,  fishing 
no  longer  becomes  a  srort. 

But  I  did  not  fish  all  that  time  for  nothing. 

As  I  said,  I  was  becoming  drowsy  with  looking  so 
long  at  the  black  cap  at  the  top  of  my  float.  Perhaps 
it  was  the  whirr  and  hum  of  the  machinery,  and  the 
faint  sound  of  plashing  water;  even  the  buzz  and 
churr  and  shriek  of  the  steel  upon  the  fast  spinning 
stones  may  have  had  something  to  do  with  it.  At  any 
rate  I  was  feeling  sleepy  and  stupid,  when  all  at  once 
I  was  wide  awake  and  listening  excitedly,  for  the 
shrieking  of  blade  held  upon  grindstone  ceased,  and  I 
heard  a  voice  that  was  perfectly  familiar  to  me  say: 

"Tell  'ee  what.  Do  it  at  once  if  you  like;  but  If  I 
had  my  wayer  I'd  tie  lump  o'  iron  fast  on  to  that 
theer  dorg's  collar  and  drop  'im  in  dam." 

"What  good  ud  that  do?"  said  another  voice. 

"Good!  why  we'd  be  shut  on  him." 

*'Ay,  but  they'd  get  another." 


THE  MEN   SPEAK  OUT.  257 

^  "Well,  they  wouldn't  get  another  boy  if  we  got  shut 
o'  this  one,"  .said  the  first  voice. 

"  But  yow  wouldn't  go  so  far  as  to" — 

The  man  stopped  short,  and  seemed  to  give  his  stone 
a  slap  witli  the  blade  that  he  was  grinding. 

"  I  d'know.  He's  a  bad  un,  and  alius  at  the  bottom 
of  it  if  owt  is  found  out." 

"Ay,  but  yow  mustn't." 

"Well,  p'raps  I  wouldn't  then,  but  I'd  do  some- 
thing as  would  mak  him  think  it  were  time  to  go 
home  to  his  mother." 

My  face  grew  red,  then  white,  I'm  sure,  for  one 
moment  it  seemed  to  burn,  the  next  it  felt  wet  and 
cold.  I  did  not  feel  sleepy  any  longer,  but  in  an  in- 
tense state  of  excitement,  for  those  words  came  from 
the  window  just  above  my  head,  so  that  I  could  hear 
them  plainly. 

"  It's  all  nonsense,"  I  said  to  myself  directly  after. 
"  They  know  I'm  here,  and  it's  done  to  scare  me." 

Just  then  the  churring  and  screeching  of  the  grind- 
ing steel  burst  out  louder  than  ever,  and  I  determined 
to  go  away  and  treat  all  I  had  heard  with  silent  con- 
tempt. _  Pulling  up  my  line  just  as  a  fisher  will,  I 
threw  in  again  for  one  final  try,  and  hardly  had  the 
bait  reached  the  bottom  before  the  float  bobbed. 

I  could  not  believe  it  at  first.  It  seemed  that  I 
must  have  jerked  the  line — but  no,  there  it  was  again, 
another  bob,  and  another,  and  then  a  series  of  little 
bobs,  and  the  float  moved  slowly  off'  over  the  surface, 
carrying  with  it  a  dozen  or  so  of  blacks. 

I  was  a1)0ut  to  strike,  but  I  thought  I  would  give 
the  fish  a  little  more  time  and  make  sure  of  him,  and, 
forgetting  all  about  the  voices  overhead,  I  was  watch- 
ing the  float  slowly  gliding  away,  bobbing  no  longer, 
but  with  the  steady  motion  that  follows  if  a  good  fish 
has  taken  the  bait. 

And  what  a  delight  that  was!     What  a  reward  to 

(322)  K 


258  WHAT   ORDERS? 

my  patience!  That  it  was  a  big  one  I  had  no  doubt. 
If  it  had  been  a  little  tish  it  would  have  jigged  and 
bobbed  the  float  about  in  the  most  absurd  way,  just  as 
it'  the  little  fish  were  thoughtless,  and  in  a  hurry  to  be 
off  to  play  on  the  surface,  whereas  a  big  fish  made  it  a 
regular  business,  and  was  calm  and  deliberate  in  every 
way. 

"  Now  for  it,"  I  thought,  and  raising  the  point  of  the 
rod  slowly  I  was  just  going  to  strike  when  the  grind- 
ing above  my  head  ceased,  and  one  of  the  voices  I  had 
before  heard  said: 

"  Well,  we  two  have  got  to  go  up  to  the  Pointed 
Star  to-night  to  get  our  orders,  and  then  we  shall  know 
what's  what." 

I  forgot  all  about  the  fish  and  listened  intently. 

"  Nay,  they  can't  hear,"  said  the  voice  again,  as  if  in 
answer  to  a  warning;  "wheels  makes  too  much  noise. 
I  don't  care  if  they  did.  They've  had  warnings  enew. 
What  did  they  want  to  coom  here  for?" 

"Ay,"  said  another,  "trade's  beginning  to  feel  it 
a' ready.  If  we  let  'em  go  on  our  wives  and  bairns  '11 
be  starving  next  winter." 

"  That's  a  true  word,  lad;  that's  a  true  word.  When 
d'yow  think  it'll  be?" 

"  Ah,  that's  kept  quiet.     We  shall  know  soon  enew." 

"Ay,  when  it's  done," 

"Think  this '11  sattle 'em?" 

"Sattle!  Ay,  that  it  will,  and  pretty  well  time. 
They'll  go  back  to  Lonnon  wi'  their  tails  twix'  their 
legs  like  the  curs  they  are.  Say,  think  they've  got 
pistols?" 

"  Dunno.     Sure  to  hev,  ah  sud  say." 

"Oh!" 

"Well,  s'pose  they  hev?  You  aren't  the  man  to  be 
scarred  of  a  pop-gun,  are  yo'?" 

"  I  d'know.  Mebbe  I  should  be  if  I  hev  the  wuck 
to  do.     I'm  scarred  o'  no  man." 


STRANGE   WORDS.  259 

"But  you're  scarred  of  a  pistol,  eh  lad?  Well,  I 
wunner  at  yo'." 

"  Well,  see  what  a  pistol  is." 

"Ay,  I  know  what  a  pistol  is,  lad.  Man's  got  a  pis- 
tol, and  yo'  hit  'im  a  tap  on  the  knuckles,  and  he 
lets  it  fall.  Then  he  stoops  to  pick  it  up,  and  knob- 
stick comes  down  on  his  head.  Nowt  like  a  knobstick, 
lad,  whether  it  be  a  man  or  a  bit  o'  wood.  Wants  no 
loading,  and  is  alius  safe." 

"  Well,  all  I've  got  to  say  is,  if  I  have  the  wuck  to 
do  I  shall" — 

Ghurr,  churry,  screech,  and  grind.  The  noise 
drowned  the  words  I  was  eager  to  hear,  and  I  stood 
bathed  with  perspiration,  and  hot  and  cold  in  turn. 

That  some  abominable  plot  was  in  hatching  I  was 
sure,  and  in  another  minute  I  might  have  heard  some- 
thing that  would  have  enabled  us  to  be  upon  our 
guard;  but  the  opportunity  had  passed,  for  the  men 
were  workino;  harder  than  ever. 

I  was  evidently  in  very  bad  odour  with  them,  and 
I  thought  bitterly  of  the  old  proverb  about  listeners 
never  hearing  any  good  of  themselves. 

What  should  I  do — stop  and  try  to  hear  more? 

Jig,  jig,  tug,  tug  at  the  top  of  my  rod,  and  I  looked 
down  to  see  that  the  float  was  out  of  sight  and  the  rod 
nearly  touching  the  water. 

My  fisherman's  instinct  made  me  strike  at  once,  and 
in  spite  of  the  agitation  produced  by  the  words  I  had 
heard  I  was  ready  for  the  exciting  struggle  I  expected 
to  follow.  I  had  certainly  hooked  a  fish  which  strug- 
gled and  tugged  to  get  away;  but  it  was  not  the  great 
carp  or  tench  I  expected  to  capture,  only  a  miserable 
little  eel  which  I  drew  through  the  water  as  I  walked 
slowly  along  the  ledge  towards  the  end  of  the  works 
farthest  from  the  wheel,  where  I  climbed  on  the  wall, 
and,  still  dragging  my  prize,  I  went  right  on  to  the  far 
end,  where  the  water  came  in  from  the  stream.    There 


260  GETTING   TOO   DANGEROUS. 

I  crossed  the  wooden  plank  that  did  duty  for  a  bridge, 
and  glanced  furtively  back  at  the  windows  of  the  works 
looking  out  upon  the  dam. 

As  far  as  I  could  make  out  I  had  not  been  seen,  and 
I  had  obtained  some  very  valuable  information  that 
might  be  useful  for  our  protection. 

When  I  had  reached  the  spot  where  I  had  begun 
fishing  I  drew  in  my  capture;  but  it  was  not  a  long 
eel,  but  a  mass  of  twined-up,  snake-like  fish  which  had 
wreathed  itself  into  a  knot  with  my  line. 

To  get  it  free  seemed  to  be  impossible,  so  I  cut  off 
the  piece  of  line  just  above  the  knot  and  let  it  fall  into 
the  water  to  extricate  itself,  while  I  went  back  to  the 
office  to  have  a  few  words  with  my  uncles  about  wliat 
I  had  heard. 

"I  think  we  are  in  duty  bound  to  send  you  liome, 
Cob,"  said  Uncle  Jack,  and  the  others  murmured 
their  acquiescence. 

"Send  me  home!"  I  cried.  "What!  just  when  all 
the  fun  is  going  to  begin!" 

"Fun!"  said  Uncle  Dick.  "Fun  that  the  frogs 
suffered  when  the  boys  stoned  them,  eh?" 

"  Oh,  but  you  know  what  I  mean,  uncle.  I  don't 
want  to  go." 

"  But  we  have  run  you  into  terrible  risks  already," 
cried  Uncle  Bob,  "and  if  you  were  hurt  I  should  feel 
as  if  I  could  never  face  your  father  and  mother 
again." 

"  Oh,  but  I  slia'n't  be  hurt,"  I  cried.  "  There,  I'm 
ready  for  anything,  and  shall  always  try  to  get  on  the 
safe  side." 

"  As  you  always  do,"  said  Uncle  Jack  grimly.  "  No, 
my  boy,  you  must  not  stay.  It  is  evident  from  what 
you  overheard  that  the  men  have  some  design  against 
us  on  hand.  Above  all,  they  have  taken  a  great  dis- 
like to  you,  and  in  their  blind  belief  that  you  are  one 
of   the  causes  of   their   trouble   they   evidently   feel 


I    FIGHT   FOR   POSITION.  261 

spiteful  and  will  not  shrink  from  doing  you  harm. 
And  that's  rather  a  long-winded  speech,"  he  added, 
smilino-. 

"  Can't  we  make  them  see  that  we  are  working  for 
them  instead  of  against  them?"  said  Uncle  Dick. 

"  No,"  said  Uncle  Bob.  ".No  one  can  teach  preju- 
diced workmen.  The  light  comes  to  them  some  day, 
but  it  takes  a  long  time  to  get  through  their  dense 
brains.     I  think  Cob  must  go." 

"Oh!  Uncle  Bob,"  I  exclaimed. 

"  I  can't  help  it,"  my  lad.  "  There  seems  to  be  no 
help  for  it.  I  shall  regret  it  horribly,  for  your  uncles 
are  very  poor  company." 

"  Thankye,"  said  Uncle  Dick. 

"  Nice  remark  from  the  most  stupid  of  three  brothers," 
grumbled  Uncle  Jack. 

"  But  you  ought  not  to  be  exposed  to  these  risks," 
continued  Uncle  Bob,  "and  now  that  by  your  own 
showing  there  is  something  worse  on  the  way," 

"  Oh,  it  can't  be  worse  than  it  has  been ;  and  besides, 
the  men  said  I  was  always  the  first  to  find  any  thing- 
out.     You  see  I  have  this  time — again." 

"  Yes,  with  a  vengeance,"  said  Uncle  Jack. 

"  And  I'm  sure  you  can't  spare  me." 

"  No,  we  can  ill  spare  you.  Cob,"  said  Uncle  Dick, 
"  but  we  should  not  be  doing  our  duty  if  we  kept  you 
here." 

"  Now,  uncle,"  I  cried,  "  I  believe  if  I  went  home — 
though,  of  course,  they  would  be  very  glad  to  see  me 
— my  father  would  say  I  ought  to  be  ashamed  of  my- 
self for  leaving  you  three  in  the  lurch." 

"Look  here!  look  here!  look  here!"  cried  Uncle 
Bob.  "  We  can't  sit  here  and  be  dictated  to  by  this 
boy.  He  has  run  risks  enough,  and  he  had  better  go 
back  to  them  at  once." 

"  Oh,  5'ou  see  if  I  would  have  said  a  word  if  I  had 
known  that  you  would  have  served  me  like  this!"  I 


262  I  AM   BANTERED. 

cried  angrily.  "  Anyone  would  think  I  was  a  school- 
girl." 

"  Instead  of  a  man  of  sixteen,"  said  Uncle  Bob. 

"  Never  mind,"  I  cried,  "  you  were  sixteen  once, 
Uncle  Bob." 

"  Quite  right,  my  boy,  so  I  was,  and  a  conceited 
young  rascal  I  was,  almost  as  cocky  as  you  are." 

"  Thank  you,  uncle." 

"  Only  I  had  not  been  so  spoiled  by  three  easy-going, 
good-natured  uncles,  who  have  made  you  think  that 
you  are  quite  a  man." 

"  Thank  you,  uncle,"  I  said  again,  meaning  to  be 
very  sarcastic. 

"  Instead  of  a  soft  stripling  full  of  sap." 

"  And  not  fit  to  stand  against  the  blows  of  oak 
cudgels  and  the  injured  Arrowfield  workmen,"  said 
Uncle  Dick. 

"Oh,  all  right!  Banter  away,"  I  said.  "I  don't 
mind.  I  shall  grow  older  and  stronger  and  more 
manly,  I  ho])e." 

"  Exactly,"  said  Uncle  Jack;  "and  that's  what  we 
are  aiming  at  for  you,  my  lad.  We  don't  want  to  see 
you  scorched  by  an  explosion,  or  hurt  by  blows,  or  made 
nervous  by  some  horrible  shock." 

"  I  don't  want  to  be  hurt,  of  course,"  I  said,  "  and 
I'm  not  at  all  brave.  I  was  terribly  frightened  when 
I  found  the  powder  canister,  and  when  I  fell  in  the 
wheel-pit.  I  believe  I  was  alarmed  when  I  heard  the 
men  talking  about  what  they  were  going  to  do;  but  I 
should  be  ashamed  of  myself,  after  going  through  so 
much,  if  I  ran  away,  us  they  said  you  three  would 
do." 

"  How  was  that?"  cried  Uncle  Bob. 

"  With  your  tails  between  your  legs,  regularly  fright- 
ened away  like  curs." 

"Tliey  may  carry  us  to  the  hospital  without  a  leg 
to  stand  upon,  or  take  us  somewhere  else  without 


THE   QUESTION    OF   RISK.  263 

heads  to  think,  but  they  will  not  see  us  running  away 
in  such  a  fashion  as  that,"  quoth  Uncle  Dick. 

"  Boy,"  said  Uncle  Jack,  in  his  sternest  way,  "  I 
would  give  anything  to  keep  you  with  us,  but  I  feel 
as  if  it  has  been  a  lapse  of  duty  towards  you  to  let 
you  run  these  risks." 

"  But  suppose  I  had  been  made  a  midshipman,  uncle," 
I  argued,  "  I  should  have  always  been  running  the  risks 
of  the  sea,  and  the  foreign  climate  where  I  was  sent, 
and  of  being  killed  or  wounded  by  the  enemy. 

"  If  there  was  war,"  suggested  Uncle  Bob. 

"  Yes,  uncle,  if  there  was  war." 

"Cob,  my  lad,"  said  Uncle  Dick,  "that's  a  strong 
argument,  but  it  does  not  convince  us.  Your  Uncle 
Jack  speaks  my  feelings  exactly.  I  would  give  any- 
thing to  keep  you  with  us,  for  your  young  elastic 
nature  seems  to  send  off  or  radiate  something  bright- 
ening on  to  ours;  and,  now  that  you  are  going  away, 
I  tell  you  frankly  that  your  courage  has  often  encour- 
aged us." 

"Has  it,  uncle?"  I  cried. 

"  Often,  my  lad." 

"  Ay  that  it  has,"  said  Uncle  Jack.  "  I've  often  felt 
down-hearted  and  ready  to  throw  up  our  adventure; 
but  I've  seen  you  so  fresh  and  eager,  and  so  ready  to 
fight  it  out,  that  I've  said  to  myself — If  a  boy  like  that 
is  ready  to  go  on  it  would  be  a  shame  for  a  man  to 
shrink." 

"Yes,"  said  Uncle  Bob,  "I  confess  to  the  same 
feeling." 

"  Well,  that  is  shabby,"  I  cried 

"What  is,  boy?"  said  Uncle  Jack. 

"  To  send  me  off  like  this.  Why,  you'll  all  break 
down  without  me." 

"No,  no;  that  does  not  follow,"  said  Uncle  Bob. 

"  Ah,  won't  it!  you'll  see,"  I  said. 

"Look  here,  Cob,  be  reasonable,"  exclaimed  Uncle 


264  UNCLE  JACK   WASHES    HIS   HANDS. 

Jack,  walking  up  and  down  the  room  in  a  very  excited 
way.  "  You  see,  ever  since  you  were  born  we've  made 
a  sort  of  playmate  of  you,  and  since  you  grew  older, 
and  have  been  down  here  with  us,  you  know  we  have 
not  treated  you  as  if  you  were  a  boy." 

"  Well,  no,  uncle,  I  suppose  you  have  not." 

"  We  have  talked  with  you,  consulted  with  you,  and 
generally  behaved  towards  you  as  if  you  were  a  young 
man." 

"  And  now  all  at  once  you  turn  round  and  punish 
me  by  treating  me  as  if  I  were  a  little  boy." 

"  No,  no,  my  lad;  be  reasonable.  We  have  been 
consulting  together." 

"  Without  me." 

"Yes,  without  you;  because  we  felt  that  we  were 
not  doing  you  justice — that  we  were  not  behaving  as 
good  brothers  to  your  mother,  in  letting  you  go  on 
sharing  these  risks." 

"  But  there  may  be  no  more,  uncle." 

"  But  there  will  be  a  great  many  more,  my  boy,"  said 
Uncle  Jack  solemnly;  "and  what  would  our  feelings 
be  if  some  serious  accident  were  to  happen  to  you?" 

"  Just  the  same.  Uncle  Jack,"  I  cried,  "  as  mine  would 
be,  and  my  father's  and  mother's,  if  some  accident  were 
to  happen  to  you. 

Uncle  Jack  wrinkled  up  his  broad  forehead,  stared 
hard  at  me,  and  then,  in  a  half  angry,  half  amused 
way,  he  went  to  the  table,  took  up  an  imaginary  piece 
of  soap  and  began  to  rub  it  in  his  palms. 

"  I  wash  my  hands  of  this  fellow,  boys,"  he  said. 
"Dick,  you  are  the  oldest;  take  him  in  hand,  dress 
him  down,  give  him  sixpence  to  buy  hardbake  and 
lollipops,  and  send  him  about  his  business." 

"  Make  it  half-a-crown,  uncle,"  I  cried,  with  my 
cheeks  burning  with  anger;  "and  then  you  might  buy 
me  a  toy-horse  too — one  with  red  wafers  all  over  it, 
and  a  rabbit-skin  tail." 


I   FIGHT   UNCLE   DICK.  265 

"  My  dear  Cob,"  said  Uncle  Jack,  "  why  will  you  be 
so  wilfully  blind  to  what  is  good  for  you?" 

My  cheeks  grew  hotter,  and  if  I  had  been  alone  I 
should  have  burst  into  a  passion  of  tears,  but  I  could 
not  do  such  a  thing  then,  when  I  wanted  to  prove  to 
these  three  that  I  was  fit  to  be  trusted  and  too  old  to 
be  sent  home. 

"  We  do  not  come  to  this  conclusion  without  having 
carefully  thought  it  out,  boy,"  cried  Uncle  Bob. 

"  Very  well,  then!"  I  cried,  almost  beside  myself  with 
passion. 

"Confess  now,"  said  Uncle  Bob;  "haven't  you  often 
felt  very  much  alarmed  at  having  to  keep  watch  of  a 
night  in  that  lonely  factory?" 

"  Of  course  I  have." 

"And  wished  yourself  at  home?"  said  Uncle  Dick. 

"  Scores  of  times,  uncle." 

"  Well,  then,  now  we  wish  you  to  go,  feeling  that  it 
is  best  for  you,  and  you  turn  restive  as  that  jackass 
we  hired  for  you  to  ride  down  in  Essex." 

"  Haven't  you  three  fellows  been  teaching  me  ever 
since  I  was  a  little  tot,  to  try  and  be  a  man?" 

"  Yes,"  said  Uncle  Dick. 

''When  I've  tumbled  down  and  knocked  the  skin 
off  my  knees  haven't  you  said  'Don't  cry:  be  a 
man! 

"  Oh  yes !     Guilty ! "  said  Uncle  Dick. 

"  If  I  fell  out  of  the  swing  didn't  you  hold  your  cool 
hand  to  the  great  lump  on  my  head  and  tell  me  that  I 
must  try  to  bear  it  without  howling:  like  a  man?" 

"  Yes,  boy,  yes." 

"  And  when  I  broke  my  arm,  after  getting  up  the 
rock  after  the  gulls'  eggs,  didn't  you  tell  me  about  the 
Spartan  boys?" 

"I  did,  Cob,  I  did." 

"  Yes,  of  course  you  did,"  I  cried  indignantly.  "You 
were  all  three  alike:  always  teaching  me  to  bear  pain 


266  UNCLE   DICK    ASKS   FOR   THE   SOAP. 

and  be  courageous,  and  master  my  natural  cowardice 
and  be  a  man.     Now  didn't  you?" 

"Ay,  ay,  ay!  Captain  Cob,"  they  chorused. 

"And  here,"  I  cried  passionately,  "after  fighting  all 
these  years  and  making  myself  miserable  so  as  to  do 
exactly  what  you  all  taught  me,  now  that  there  is  a 
chance  of  showing  that  I  know  my  lesson  and  have 
done  well,  you  all  treat  me  like  a  mollycoddle,  and 
say  to  me  by  your  looks:  'You're  a  poor  cowardly  little 
cub;  go  home  to  your  mother  and  be  nursed.'" 

"Have  you  done  with  the  soap?"  said  Uncle  Dick, 
turning  to  Uncle  Jack,  as  I  stood  there,  feeling  angry, 
passionate,  excited,  and  carried  out  of  myself. 

"  Eh  ? "  said  Uncle  Jack  staring. 

"I  say,  have  you  done  with  the  metaphorical  soap? 
I  want  to  wash  my  hands  of  him  too.' 

"  It's  too  bad,  uncle,"  I  cried. 

"  Here,  Bob,"  said  Uncle  Dick  in  his  grim  way,  "you 
take  him  in  hand." 

"  No,  thank  you,"  said  Uncle  Bob.  "I'll  trouble  you 
for  the  soap  when  you've  done." 

"  And  now,"  I  cried,  speaking  to  them  as  I  had  never 
done  before,  "you  make  worse  of  it  by  laughing  at  me." 

"No,  no,"  cried  Uncle  Dick;  "we  were  not  laughing 
at  you,  but  we  do  now;"  and  starting  with  a  tremen- 
dous "Ha-ha-ha!"  the  others  joined  in,  and  I  stalked 
out  of  the  parlour  and  went  up  to  my  room,  where  I 
set  to  work,  and  in  about  ton  minutes  had  all  my 
belongings  carefully  packed  in  my  little  carpet-bag — 
the  new  one  that  had  been  bought  for  me — and  the 
little  brass  padlock  on  and  locked. 

Just  then  the  parlour  door  opened  as  I  was  looking 
out  of  my  bed-room  window  at  the  smoke  and  glow 
over  the  town,  and  thinking  that  after  all  I  liked  the 
noise  and  dirt  and  busy  toil  always  going  on,  knowing, 
as  I  di'l,  how  much  it  had  to  do  with  the  greatness  of 
our  land. 


"tea's  ready."  267 

"Cob!"  came  up  Uncle  Dick's  big  voice. 

"Yes,  uncle,"  I  said  quietly. 

"Tea's  ready." 

"I  don't  want  any  tea,"  I  said. 

"Yes,  you  do,  lad.     Fried  ham  and  eggs." 

"Come,"  I  said  to  myself,  "I'll  let  them  see  that  I 
can  behave  like  a  man.  Perhaps  I  shall  have  to  go 
home  by  the  last  train  to-night  or  the  first  in  the 
morning.  Poor  old  Piter,"  I  thought,  "I  should  like  to 
have  taken  you!" 

So  I  went  down  quite  coolly  and  walked  into  the 
parlour,  where  my  uncles  were  waiting  for  me  before 
seatino-  themselves  at  the  table. 

That  touched  me;  it  was  so  full  of  consideration  and 
respect  for  the  boy  they  were  going  to  send  away. 

Plump,  comfortable  Mrs.  Stephenson  was  just  ready 
to  take  off  the  bright  tin  dish-cover,  and  as  she  did  so 
there  was  a  perfect  pile  of  fried  ham  and  eggs,  looking 
brown  and  white  and  pink  and  orange,  and  emitting 
a  most  appetizing  odour. 

"Is  Mr.  Jacob  a  bit  sadly,  gentlemen?"  said  Mrs. 
Stephenson,  looking  at  me  with  interest. 

"Oh  no,"  I  said  quickly;  and  a  bit  touched  too  by 
Mrs.  Stephenson's  respectful  way  and  the  Mr.  "Only 
tired.     I  shall  be  all  right  when  I've  had  my  tea." 

"That's  bonnie,"  she  cried  nodding.  "I'd  better 
butter  a  couple  more  cakes,  hadn't  I,  gentlemen?" 

"That  you  had,"  said  Uncle  Bob.  "Let's  eat  well, 
or  we  shall  never  be  able  to  fight  it  out  with  your 
fellow-townsmen." 

"Ah,  deary  me,  gentlemen,"  she  cried;  "it's  sore  work, 
that  it  is!  I'm  sure  if  they  only  knew  what  I  do  they'd 
behave  better  to  you.  Them  trades  is  doing  more  harm 
than  good." 

She  bustled  out  of  the  room,  and  as  soon  as  the  door 
was  closed  Uncle  Dick  turned  to  me. 

"  Shake  hands,  Cob,  my  boy,"  he  said. 


268  "WE   WANT   YOU   TO   STAY." 

I  held  mine  out  frankly,  for  I  had  had  my  say,  and 
I  was  determined  to  show  them  that  I  could  act  like  a 
man. 

"Now  with  me,"  said  Uncle  Jack  in  his  hard  stern 
way. 

"And  with  me,"  said  Uncle  Bob. 

I  shook  hands  all  round;  but  in  spite  of  every  effort 
my  lip  would  quiver,  and  I  had  to  bite  it  hard  to  keep 
down  the  emotion  I  felt. 

"Shall  I  speak?"  said  Uncle  Jack. 

Uncle  Dick  nodded. 

"  Why  not  wait  till  after  tea?"  said  Uncle  Bob. 

"  No,  I  shall  tell  him  now,"  said  Uncle  Jack  grimly. 
"I'm  hungry,  and  we  may  as  well  spoil  his  tea  and  get 
his  share,  for  he  will  not  be  able  to  eat  after  what  I've 
said.  Cob,  my  lad,  weVe  been  talking  this  over  again 
very  seriously. 

"  All  right,  uncle ! "  I  said  quietly.  "  I'm  quite  ready 
to  go.  I've  packed  up,  but  I'd  rather  go  to-morrow 
morning.  I  want  to  go  and  shake  hands  with  Pannell 
and  bid  Piter  'good-bye.'" 

"You  have  packed  up?"  he  said  rather  sternly. 

"Yes,  uncle." 

"Did  you  do  that  in  a  fit  of  passion  or  sulks?" 

"  No,"  I  said  sharply;  "but  because  I  wanted  to  show 
you  to  the  very  last  that  I  had  not  forgotten  what  you 
tauo-ht  me  about  self-denial  and  all  that." 

"God  bless  you,  my  lad!"  he  cried,  hurting  me 
horribly  as  he  shook  hands  exceedingly  hard.  "I'm 
glad  to  hear  you  say  that,  for  we've  been  saying  that 
if  we  want  to  win  in  this  fight  we  can't  afford  to  part 
with  one  quarter  of  the  Co.  Cob,  my  lad,  we  want 
you  to  stay." 

"  Uncle!"  I  cried. 

"Yes,  my  lad,  you  are  older  in  some  things  than 
your  years,  and  though  I'd  do  anything  rather  than 
run  risks  for  you,  I  do  feel  that  with  right  on  our 


"hush!"  269 

side,  please  God,  we  sliall  win  yet,  and  that  it  would 
be  cowardly  for  us  even  to  let  you  turn  tail." 

I  don't  know  what  I  should  have  said  and  done 
then,  as  Uncle  Jack  exclaimed: 

"  Have  I  said  right,  Dick,  Bob?" 

"Yes,  quite,"  said  Uncle  Dick  warmly;  "and  for  my 
part " 

"  Hush !  sit  down,"  cried  Uncle  Bob,  hastily  setting 
the  exam[)le  so  as  to  end  the  scene.  "Yes,  two  eggs, 
please.  Quick,  here's  Mrs.  Stephenson  coming  with  the 
cakes." 


■"^^w^^- 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

STEVENS   HAS   A   WORD   WITH   ME. 


EXT  morninof  I  went  clown  to  the  works, 
feeling  as  if  I  had  grown  in  one  night  a 
year  older,  and  after  giving  Piter  the  bones 
I  always  took  him  down,  and  receiving  the 
ram-like  butt  he  always  favoured  me  with  to  show  his 
gratitude,  I  was  going  round  the  place,  when  I  heard 
a  familiar  clinking  and  saw  a  glow  out  of  the  little 
smithy  that  had  for  some  time  been  cold. 

I  ran  in,  and  there,  looking  rather  pale  and  with  a 
bit  or  two  of  sticking-plaster  about  his  temples,  was 
Pannell  hanunering  away  as  if  he  were  trying  to  make 
up  for  lost  time. 

"  Why,  Pannell,  old  man,"  I  cried,  running  in  with 
outstretched  hand,  "back  again  at  work!  I  am  glad  to 
see  you." 

He  looked  up  at  me  with  a  scowl,  and  wiped  his 
brow  with  the  arm  that  was  terminated  by  a  fist  and 
hannner — a  way,  I  have  observed,  much  affected  by 
smiths. 

His  was  not  a  pleasant  face,  and  it  was  made  more 
repulsive  by  the  scars  and  sticking-jDlaster.  As  our 
eyes  met  it  almost  seemed  as  if  he  were  going  to  strike 
me  with  his  hammer;  but  he  threw  it  down,  gave  his 
great  liand  a  rub  back  and  front  upon  his  apron,  pro- 
bably to  make  it  a  little  blacker,  and   then   gripped 


grippec 


THE   ADVICE   OF   UNCLE   DICK.  271 

mine  as  badly  as  Uncle  Jack  had  on  the  previous 
night.  In  fact,  you  see,  I  suffered  for  people  liking 
rne. 

"Are  you  glad,  mun?"  he  said  at  last  hoarsely;  "are 
you  glad?  Well  that's  cheering  anyhow,  and  thank  ye." 

He  nodded  and  went  on  with  his  work  again  while 
I  went  to  mine  about  the  books,  but  with  a  suspicious 
feeling  of  impending  trouble  on  my  mind,  as  I  passed 
two  of  the  men  who  saw  me  come  out  of  the  smithy, 
and  who  must  have  seen  me  shaking  hands  with 
Pannell. 

I  don't  know  why  they  should  have  minded,  for  I 
should  have  done  the  same  with  either  of  them  had  we 
been  on  as  friendly  terms." 

As  I  entered  my  little  office  my  eyes  lit  on  the  com- 
mon fishing-rod  I  had  used,  and  that  set  me  thinking 
about  the  conversation  I  had  heard  as  I  stood  on  the 
ledge. 

I  recalled  what  had  been  said  overnight  in  a  long 
discussion  with  my  uncles,  and  the  advice  they  had 
given. 

"Don't  show  suspicion,"  Uncle  Dick  had  said,  "but 
meet  every  man  with  a  frank  fearless  look  in  the  eye, 
as  if  you  asked  no  favour  of  him,  were  not  afraid  of 
him,  and  as  if  you  wanted  to  meet  him  in  a  straightfor- 
ward way." 

I  thought  a  good  deal  about  it  all,  and  how  my 
uncles  said  they  meant  to  be  just  and  kind  and  stern 
at  the  same  time;  and  it  certainly  did  seem  as  if  this 
was  the  most  likely  way  to  win  the  men's  respect. 

"For  now  that  we  have  concluded  to  keep  you  with 
us.  Cob,  I  must  warn  that  we  mean  business,  and  that 
we  have  made  up  our  minds  tliat  we  shall  win." 

That  morning  went  off  quietly  enough,  and  though 
we  all  kept  a  quiet  searching  look-out,  there  was 
nothing  to  excite  suspicion.  Then  evening  came,  and 
the  watching,  in  which  again  that  night  I  had  no  share, 


272  PITER   AGAIN   DRUGGED. 

but  it  was  an  understood  thinor  that  I  was  to  be  at  tlie 
works  at  the  same  time  as  the  men  next  day. 

It  was  a  lovely  autumn  morning  with  the  wind 
from  the  country  side,  and  as  I  hurried  up  and  off  to 
the  works  there  was  a  feeling  in  the  air  that  seemed 
to  tempt  me  away  to  the  hills  and  vales,  and  made  me 
long  for  a  chano-e. 

"  I'll  see  if  one  of  them  won't  go  for  a  day,"  I  said 
to  myself;  and  hopeful  of  getting  the  holida}',  and  per- 
haps a  run  up  to  the  great  dam,  I  reached  the  works 
before  the  men. 

"Well  done,  industrious!"  cried  Uncle  Bob,  who 
opened  the  gate  to  me.     "You  are  first." 

"That's  right,"  I  said.  "No,  it  isn't.  Where's  Uncle 
Dick?     Why,  you  look  pale." 

"Uncle  Dick  isn't  awake,"  he  said  quickly.  "Fact 
is.  Cob,  I've  had  a  scare.  As  you  say,  I  found  that 
they'd  been  at  Piter  again.  The  poor  dog  has  been 
drugged,  and  that  must  mean  something  wrong." 

Sure  enough,  poor  Piter  lay  fast  asleep  and  breathing 
heavily;  but  after  our  last  experience  we  did  not  feel 
so  despondent  about  bringing  him  to  again,  so,  leaving 
him  in  his  kennel  where  he  had  crept,  we  roused  Uncle 
Dick  and  told  him. 

"We  can't  look  round  now,"  he  said.  "The  men  are 
coming  in  to  their  work,  but  we  shall  soon  hear  if 
there  is  anything  wrong.     The  bands  again,  I  expect." 

Just  then  we  heard  the  noise  made  by  the  drawing 
of  the  sluice,  the  wheel  went  plashing  round,  the  shaft 
rumh)leiJ,  connections  were  being  made,  and  in  a  very 
few  minutes  the  first  grindstone  was  sending  forth  its 
loud  churring  noise. 

Then  there  was  more  and  more,  and  at  last  the 
works  were  in  full  swinof. 

"There's  nothing  wrong,  then,  with  the  bands,"  said 
Uncle  Dick;  and  then  we  waited,  wondering  what 
trick  had  been  played,  till  about  an  hour  had  passed, 


I   TALK   TO   PANNELL.  273 

during  which  the  same  remedies  as  were  tried  before 
were  put  into  force  with  poor  old  Piter,  and  he  re- 
covered sufficiently  to  wag-  his  tail. 

Just  about  that  time  Uncle  Jack  arrived,  and  was 
put  in  possession  of  our  fresh  trouble. 

"And  you  can  find  nothing  wrong?"  he  said. 

"Nothing." 

"Have  you  looked  under  the  desks,  and  in  the  cup- 
boards?" 

"We've  quietly  searched  everywhere,"  replied  Uncle 
Bob  earnestly. 

"Then  we  must  go  on  as  usual,"  said  Uncle  Jack. 
"There,  you  two  go  home:  Cob  and  I  wdll  chance  the 
risks." 

"It  may  have  been  an  attempt  to  get  rid  of  the 
dog,"  I  said,  "and  nothing  more." 

"That's  wdiat  I've  been  thinking,"  said  Uncle  Jack; 
and  soon  after  we  were  left  alone. 

Towards  mid-day  I  went  down  to  have  a  chat  with 
Pannell,  and  to  ask  him  how  he  had  got  on  during  his 
long  illness. 

"Tidy,"  he  said  sourly.  "There  was  the  club  helped 
me,  but  the  mesters  did  most." 

"What!  my  uncles?" 

"Ay,  didn't  you  know?"  he  cried,  busying  himself 
about  lighting  a  smaller  forge  at  the  back  of  the  first. 

I  shook  my  head. 

"Paid  me  pound  a-week  all  the  time  I  was  badly, 
my  lad." 

"And  very  kind  of  them  too,"  I  said  warmly. 

"Ay,  'twas.  Felt  at  times,  lad,  as  if  I  warn't  worth 
the  money,  that  I  did." 

Just  then  Stevens  made  his  appearance,  crossing 
from  the  grinders'  shop  to  one  of  the  smithies  at  the 
end;  and  as  he  went  along  at  some  distance  I  saw  him 
look  curiously  over  at  where  I  was  standing  talking  to 
Pannell. 

(322)  s 


274  STEVENS   WANTS   A   WORD   WITH   ME. 

"Theer  it  is  again,"  said  the  latter.  "You  mean  well, 
lad,  and  it's  very  kind  on  you;  but  I  shall  hev  it  'fore 
lono;  on  account  o'  talkino-  to  thee." 

"Oh,  surely  not!"  I  cried  angrily.  "The  men  will 
never  be  such  cowards  as  to  attack  you  for  that." 

"  Men  weant,  but  trade  will,"  said  Pannell.  "  Mates 
can't  do  as  they  like  about  it.  Look  ye  yonder;  what 
did  I  say?" 

He  nodded  in  the  direction  of  Stevens,  who  had  re- 
turned directly,  stopped  opposite  the  smithy,  but  at 
some  distance,  and  as  soon  as  I  looked  up  he  began 
to  signal  to  me  to  go  to  him. 

I  never  liked  the  man,  for  he  always  seemed  to  dis- 
like me,  and  I  gave  him  the  credit  of  being  one  of  the 
active  parties  in  the  outrages  that  had  been  committed 
upon  us.  But  I  remembered  what  our  plans  were  to 
be — frank,  straightforward,  and  fearless — and  I  walked 
right  up  to  Stevens,  whose  brow  was  lowering  and  full 
of  menace. 

"  Here,  I  want  a  word  with  you,"  he  said  fiercely. 

"  All  right,  Stevens!"  I  said.     "  What  is  it?" 

"  Come  over  here,"  he  replied,  "  and  I'll  tell  ye." 

He  led  the  way  along  the  yard  to  the  other  side  of 
the  great  coal  heap,  which  lay  there  massive  and  square, 
tlirough  its  sides  being  carefully  built  up  with  big 
blocks  of  coal. 

We  were  quite  out  of  sight  there,  and,  as  I  thought, 
how  easy  it  would  be  for  him  to  knock  me  down  with 
one  of  the  lumps. 

I  was  perfectly  cool  though,  till  he  suddenly  seized 
me  by  the  jacket. 

I  struck  up  at  his  hand,  but  he  held  on  tightly,  and 
there  was  a  curious  smile  on  his  face  as  he  said: 

"Nay,  you  don't,  lad;  I'm  stronger  than  thou." 

"  What  do  you  want  ? "  I  cried,  making  a  virtue  of 
necessity  and  standing  firm. 

"What  do  I  want,  eh?"  he  said  slowly.     "Oh,  just 


STEVENS   IS   STRANGE.  275 

a  word  or  two  wi'  thee,  my  lad.     There,  you  needn't 
call  thee  uncle." 

"  I  was  not  going  to  call  him,"  I  retorted.  "  Why 
should  I?" 

"  Because  you're  scarred  aLout  what  I'm  going  to 
do  to  thee." 

"  No,  I'm  not,"  I  replied  boldly;  "  because  you  daren't 
do  anything  unless  it's  in  the  dark,  when  you  can 
attack  a  man  behind  his  back." 

He  winced  at  this  and  scowled,  but  turned  it  off 
with  a  laugh. 

'"Tack  a  what?"  he  said. 

"A  boy,  then,"  I  cried.  "  I  know  I'm  a  boy;  but  I 
meant  people  generally." 

"Nivver  you  mind  that,"  he  said.  "You  don't  un- 
derstand trade.  But  joost  you  look  there.  Yow've 
been  saying  I  did  some'at  to  the  dog." 

"  That  I  have  not,"  I  cried. 

"  Ay,  but  you  did  say  it,"  he  repeated  fiercely. 

"I  did  not  say  so,"  I  cried  almost  as  angrily;  "but 
if  I  had  said  it,  I  don't  suppose  I  should  have  been  far 
wrong." 

"  Nay,  lad,  I  did  nowt  to  the  dog.     I  did  nowt — I — " 

He  let  his  hand  fall,  and  a  feeling  of  relief  from  some 
expectation  came  over  his  face.  He  had  been  talking 
to  me,  but  it  was  in  a  curious  way,  and  all  the  time 
he  talked  he  seemed  to  be  looking  over  my  shoulder 
more  than  in  my  face. 

But  now  he  drew  a  long  breath  and  seemed  satisfied 
with  the  explanation;  and  just  then  I  uttered  a  cry  of 
horror,  for  there  was  a  loud  report,  and  the  yard  seemed 
to  be  filled  with  flying  cinders  and  smoke. 

Stevens  gave  me  a  grim  look  and  laid  his  hand  on 
my  shoulder. 

"  Lucky  yow  weern't  theer,"  he  said.  "  Might  have 
been  hurt.     Come  and  see." 

We  joined   the   men   who   were   hurrying   in   the 


276  AN  EXPLOSION. 

direction  of  the  smoke  that  obscured  one  end  of  the 
yard. 

"  What  is  it,  Uncle  Jack  ?"  I  cried,  as  I  ran  to  his  side. 

"  I  don't  know  yet,"  he  said. 

"  It  was  somewhere  by  the  smithies. 

"  Yes ;  that's  plain  enough,"  said  my  uncle,  and  we 
pressed  on  in  front  of  the  men,  to  come  upon  Pannell, 
bending  down  and  rubbing  his  eyes. 

"Pannell!"  I  cried;  "you  are  not  hurt?" 

"  Nay,  not  much,"  he  said  sourly.  "  Got  the  cinder 
and  stutf  in  my  eyes,  but  they  missed  me  this  time." 

"What!  was  it  not  an  accident?" 

"  Oh,  ay!"  he  replied;  "reg'lar  accident.  Powder  got 
into  my  little  forge,  and  when  I  started  her  wi'  some 
hot  coal  from  t'other  one  she  blew  up." 

"  But  you  are  not  hurt?" 

"  Nay,  lad,  I  weer  stooping  down,  and  were  half 
behind  the  forge,  so  I  didn't  ketch  it  that  time." 

The  smoke  was  by  this  time  pretty  well'  cleared 
away,  and  we  walked  into  the  smithy  to  see  what 
mischief  had  befallen  us. 

Fortunately  no  harm  had  been  done  to  the  structure 
of  the  building,  and  there  being  no  glass  in  the  win- 
dows there  was  of  course  none  to  blow  out.  The  coal 
ashes  and  cinders  had  been  scattered  far  and  wide,  and 
the  iron  funnel-shaped  chimney  knocked  out  of  place, 
while  some  of  the  smiths'  tools,  and  the  rods  of  steel 
upon  which  Pannell  had  been  working,  were  thrown 
upon  the  floor. 

The  walls,  forge,  and  pieces  of  iron  about  told  tales 
for  themselves  without  the  odour  of  the  explosive,  for 
everything  had  been  covered  with  a  film  of  a  grayish- 
white,  such  as  gunpowder  gives  to  iron  or  brickwork 
when  it  is  fired. 

"Where  was  the  powder?"  cried  Uncle  Jack,  after 
satisfying  himself  that  Pannell  had  not  the  slightest 
burn  even  upon  his  beard. 


FKLLOW- WORKMEN    OR   THE  TRADE,  277 

"  In  little  forge  all  ready  for  me  when  I  fired  up," 
growled  Panncll  sourly,  as  he  scowled  round  at  the 
little  crowd  of  men;  "but  they  missed  me  that  time." 

Uncle  Jack  had  a  good  look  round  the  place,  and 
the  workmen  stared  at  us  as  if  in  full  expectation  of 
being  taken  to  task  as  the  cause  of  the  explosion. 

I  watched  their  faces  cautiously  in  search  of  a  look 
of  regret,  but  the  ouly  peculiar  expression  I  could  see 
was  on  the  countenance  of  Stevens,  who  stood  softly 
rolling-  up  his  shirt-sleeves  closer  and  closer  to  his 
shoulders,  and  there  was  such  a  curious  smile  in  his 
eyes  that  he  inspired  me  with  a  thought. 

"  Oh,  if  I  have  been  deceived  in  him ! " 

That  was  my  thought.  For  I  seemed  to  see  at  a 
glance  that  he  had  known  the  explosion  would  take 
place,  and  that  the  talk  aliout  the  dog  was  an  ex- 
cuse to  get  me  away  and  save  me  from  the  conse- 
quences. 

Just  then  Uncle  Jack  turned  round  to  me  and  laid 
his  hand  on  my  shoulder. 

"  Look  here,"  he  said  quietly,  as  if  he  were  showing 
me  a  curiosity,  but  loud  enough  for  all  the  men  to  hear 
— "  down  in  the  south  of  England,  my  boy,  when  a 
workman  is  disliked  it  generally  comes  to  a  settlement 
with  fists,  and  there  is  a  fair,  honest,  stand-up  fight. 
Down  here  in  Arrowfield,  Jacob,  when  another  work- 
man does  somethino-  to  ofi'end  his  fellows — " 

"  Traiide,"  shouted  a  voice. 

"To  offend  his  fellow -workmen,"  repeated  Uncle 
Jack. 

"  Traiide,"  shouted  the  voice  again,  and  there  was  a 
murmur  of  assent. 

"Well,  have  it  your  own  way,"  said  Uncle  Jack. 
"  To  offend  the  trade,  they  try  to  blind  him  for  life 
by  filling  his  forge  with  powder,  so  that  it  may  ex- 
plode in  his  face.  Jacob,  my  lad,  next  time  I  go  any- 
where, and  hear  people  talk  about  what  brave  strong 


278  PANNELL   IS   A   MAN. 

manly  fellows  the  Englishmen  are,  I  shall  recommend 
them  to  come  down  and  stay  in  Arrowfield  for  a  month 
and  see  what  is  done." 

There  was  a  low  murmur  among  the  men;  but  we 
did  not  stop  to  listen,  and  they  all  returned  to  their 
work  except  Pannell,  who  went  down  to  the  dam  and 
bathed  his  eyes,  after  which  he  went  as  coolly  as  could 
be  back  to  his  smithy,  took  a  shovel  and  borrowed 
some  glowing  fire  from  the  next  forge,  lit  up  his  own, 
and  was  soon  after  hammering  his  funnel  chimney 
back  in  its  place,  and  working  up  rods  of  steel  as  if 
nothinu'  whatever  had  been  amiss. 

About  the  middle  of  the  afternoon,  though,  he  came 
up  through  the  workshop  straight  to  the  office,  with 
his  hammer  in  his  hand,  and  gave  a  loud  thump  at  the 
door. 

I  opened  it  and  admitted  him;  for  I  was  in  the  big- 
office  with  my  uncles,  who  were  talking  about  this  last 
trouble. 

"Well,  my  man,  what  is  it?"  said  Uncle  Jack. 

Pannell  began  to  lift  up  his  hammer-head  slowly 
and  let  it  fall  back  again  into  his  left  hand,  staring 
straight  before  him  with  his  dark  eyes,  which  were 
surrounded  with  the  black  marks  of  the  gunpowder 
which  clun^  still  to  the  skin. 

"What  do  you  want,  Pannell?"  I  said,  giving  him  a 
touch  on  the  arm;  but  the  hammer  rose  and  fell  still 
by  the  contraction  of  his  right  hand,  and  went  on  tap 
— tap — falling  into  his  left. 

"Why  don't  you  speak?"  I  said  again,  quite  im- 
patiently. 

"  I  know,"  he  growled.     "  I  want  to  speak." 

"We  are  listening,"  said  Uncle  Dick.  "What  have 
you  to  say?" 

"  Look  here,"  cried  Pannell,  giving  his  hammer  a 
flourish  round  his  head  as  if  he  were  about  to  attack 
us.     "  Pm  a  man — I  am." 


PANNELL   SPEAKS   OUT.  279 

"And  a  good  big  one,  Pannell/'  said  Uncle  Bob 
smilincf, 

"  Wish  I  were  twyste  as  big,  mester!  Theer!"  cried 
Pannell. 

"  I  wish  yon  were  if  it  would  be  any  comfort  to 
you,"  said  Uncle  Bob  to  himself. 

"  I've  been  athinking  o'  this  out  while  I've  been 
hammering  yonder,  and  I  want  to  speak." 

"Yes,"  said  Uncle  Jack.     "  Go  on." 

"  Look  ye  here,  then,"  cried  Pannell,  flourishing  his 
hammer  round  as  if  he  were  a  modern  edition  of  an 
angry  Thor;  "does  anyone  say  I  telled  on  'em?  Did  I 
tell  on  'em,  mesters?     Answer  me  that." 

"What!  about  the  outrages?"  said  Uncle  Dick  firmly. 

"Outrages,  mester!" 

"Well,  the  attempts  to  blow  us  up."  - 

"Ay! — the  trade  business.  Did  I  ivver  come  and 
say  word  to  anny  of  you?" 

"  Never." 

"  Or  to  yow,  youngster?" 

"  Never,  Pannell.  You  always  went  against  us,"  I 
said,  "  when  a  word  from  you  would—" 

"Theer,  that'll  do.  Tell  me  this — Did  I  ivver  tell 
on  anny  on  'em  ? " 

"No;  you  have  always  been  true  to  your  party, 
Pannell — if  that  is  what  you  mean." 

"And  that  is  what  I  mean,"  said  the  great  fellow, 
throwing  his  head  about  and  jerking  out  his  words, 
each  with  a  menacing  flourish  of  the  hammer  or  a 
mock  blow,  as  if  they  were  steel  words  that  he  wanted 
to  strike  into  shape. 

"  Nobody  accused  you  of  talebearing  to  us,"  said 
Uncle  Dick. 

"Didn't  they,  mester?"  he  roared,  "What's  this, 
then,  and  this,  and  this?" 

He  touched  the  scars  upon  his  head  and  brow,  and 
the  sticking-plaster  left  on. 


280  DONE   WITH   THEM. 

"Don't  you  call  that  saying  I  telled  on  'em,  wi'out 
the  poother  in  my  forge  this  morning?" 

"A  cowardly  brutal  thing  to  have  done,  my  man." 

"Ay,  so  'twas.  I'd  done  nowt  but  be  civil  to  young 
mester  here.  Say,"  he  cried  fiercely,  "  yow  telled  'em 
I  forged  that  trap!"  and  he  turned  on  me. 

"Oh,  Pannell!"  I  cried,  Hushing  indignantly. 

That  was  all  I  said,  but  it  was  enouo-h. 

"Beg  pardon,  young  gentleman! — yow  didn't,  I  can 
see  that.  Nay,  it  was  the  altogetherishness  o'  the  whole 
thing.  They  set  me  down — me,  a  mate  in  the  union- — 
as  hevvin'  telled  on  'em  and  gone  agen  'em,  and  being 
friends  wi'  the  mesters;  and  yow  see  what  they've 
done." 

"  Indeed  we  do,  Pannell — " 

"Howd  hard,  mester,"  said  the  big  smith,  flourishing 
about  his  hammer.  "  I  hevn't  had  my  spell  yet.  I 
want  to  speak." 

Uncle  Dick  nodded,  as  much  as  to  say,  "  Go  on." 

"Look  here,  then,  mesters — I've  thowt  this  out.  It's 
cowards'  business,  ivvery  bit  on  it,  'cept  Matt  Stivvins 
this  morning  coming  and  fetching  young  mester  out  of 
the  way." 

"  Yes,"  I  .said,  "  he  did." 

"And  they'll  knobstick  'im  for  it  if  they  know — see 
if  tliey  don't!" 

"Then  they  mustn't  know,"  I  cried  eagerly.  "I 
don't  like  Stevens,  but  he  did  save  me  this  morn- 
ing." 

"Ay,  he  did,  'cause  he  said  once  yow  weer  a  trump, 
my  lad;  but  he  didn't  give  me  a  word.  I  sha'n't  tell 
on  him,  but  I  sha'n't  hev  nought  more  to  do  wi'  anny 
on  'em.  I've  been  union  man  all  these  years  and  paid, 
and  here's  what  I've  got  for  it.  I  says  to  mysen,  I 
.says:  If  this  here's  what  comes  o'  sticking  to  union 
through  all  their  games  I've  done  wi'  'em,  and  I'm  a 
master's  man — that's  all." 


A  FRIENDLY   SQUEEZE.  281 

He  turned  short  round  to  go,  but  Uncle  Dick  stopped 
him. 

"  I  don't  quite  understand  what  you  mean,  Pannell." 

"What  I  mean!  Why,  what  I  said — that's  what  I 
mean." 

"  That  you  have  done  with  the  trades-union,  Pan- 
nell," I  cried,  "and  mean  to  he  on  our  side?" 

"  That's  so,  mester.  Now  I  mun  go  or  my  fire '11  be 
out." 

He  strode  out  of  the  place  and  banged  the  door  after 
him;  and  as  he  went  along  the  shop  I  could  see  him 
in  imagination  staring  deliantly  from  side  to  side,  in 
answer  to  the  savaoe  murmur  that  greeted-  him  from 
the  men  whom  he  had  made  up  his  mind  to  defy. 

"What  do  you  think  of  that?"  said  Uncle  Dick,  as 
soon  as  we  heard  the  farther  door  close  with  a  crash. 

"It's  the  beginning  of  the  end,"  said  Uncle  Jack 
with  an  eager  look  in  his  eyes.  Keep  firm,  boys,  and 
we  shall  have  them  all  honestly  on  our  side,  and  we 
can  laugh  at  all  trades-unions  in  Arrowfield  that  fight 
with  cowardly  weapons.  The  men  do  not  do  what 
their  own  feelings  prompt,  but  obey  the  law  of  a  secret 
society  which  forces  them  to  do  these  cruel  wrongs." 

It  must  have  been  intentional  on  his  part,  for  as  I 
went  down  into  the  furnace  house  about  half  an  hour 
after,  at  my  usual  time,  to  take  down  an  account  of 
work  done,  I  met  Stevens  coming  towards  me. 

We  were  in  the  big  empty  building,  the  furnace 
being  cold,  and  no  work  going  on  that  day,  and  he 
slouched  towards  me  as  if  he  were  going  by,  but  I 
stopped  him  and  held  out  my  hand. 

"Thank  you,  Stevens,"  1  said.  "I  didn't  under- 
stand it  then,  but  you  saved  me  from  something  ter- 
rible to-day." 

He  gave  a  quick  glance  or  two  about,  and  then 
regnlai'ly  snatched  my  hand,  gave  it  a  squeeze,  and 
threw  it  away. 


282  "ALL  right!" 

"All  right,  my  lad!"  he  said  in  a  hoarse  whisper, 
"  You're  on'y  one  o'  the  mesters,  but  I  couldn't  abear 
to  see  thee  in  for  it  too." 

He  went  on  his  away  and  I  went  mine,  feeling  that 
Uncle  Jack  was  right,  and  that  though  it  might  be  a 
long  journey  first,  it  was  the  beginning  of  the  end. 


■^^=Ym^^ 


CHAPTER   XXIII. 

I  START   FOR  A  WALK. 

HO'S   for  a  walk?"  said  Uncle  Dick  one 
morning.     "  I'm  going  up  the  hills  to  the 
millstone-grit  quarry." 
I  started,  and  my  heart  gave  a  throb,  but 
I  did  not  look  up. 

"  I  can't  go,"  said  Uncle  Jack. 

"  And  I'm  busy,"  said  Uncle  Bob. 

"  Then  I  shall  have  to  put  up  with  Cob,"  said  Uncle 
Dick  gloomily.     "Will  you  come,  my  lad?" 

"Will  I  come!"  I  cried,  jumping  and  feeling  as  if  I 
should  like  to  shout  for  joy,  so  delightful  seemed  the 
idea  of  getting  away  into  the  hills,  and  having  one  of 
our  old  walks. 

"  Well,  it  must  be  at  midday,  and  you  will  have  to 
meet  me  out  at  Ranflitt." 

"  Two  miles  on  the  road?"  I  said. 

"  Yes ;  you  be  there,  and  if  I'm  not  waiting  I  sha'n't 
be  long,  and  we'll  go  on  together." 

"What  time  shall  I  start?"  I  asked. 

"  When  the  men  go  to  their  dinner  will  do.  I  have 
some  business  at  the  far  end  of  the  town,  and  it  will 
not  be  worth  while  for  me  to  come  back.  I'll  take 
the  other  road." 

So  it  was  settled,  and  I  took  my  big  stick  down  to 
the  office,  and  a  net  satchel  that  was  handy  for  any- 


284  I   AM   PELTED. 

thinw  when  slunfj  froir  the  ricjht  shoulder  and  under 
my  left  arm.  Before  now  it  had  carried  fish,  part- 
ritlges,  fruits,  herbs,  roots  of  plants,  and  oftener  than 
anything  else,  lunch. 

That  seemed  to  be  a  long  mornincr  altliouo;h  I  wrote 
hard  all  the  time  so  as  to  get  a  good  day's  work 
over  first;  but  at  last  the  dinner-bell  rang,  and,  saying 
good-bye  to  the  others,  I  slipped  the  satchel  into  my 
pocket,  took  my  stick,  and  started. 

We  had  not  thou<^ht  of  those  who  would  be  loiter- 
ing  about  during  their  dimier-hour,  but  I  soon  found 
that  they  were  thinking  of  me,  for  not  only  were  our 
own  men  about  the  streets,  but  the  men  of  the  many 
other  works  around;  and  to  my  dismay  I  soon  found 
that  they  all  knew  me  by  sight,  and  that  they  were 
ready  to  take  notice  of  me  in  a  very  unpleasant 
way. 

I  was  walking  steadily  on  when  a  stone  hit  me  in 
the  lesf,  and  instead  of  makinLi;  haste  and  gettincr  out 
of  range,  I  stopped  short  and  looked  round  angrily  for 
my  assailant. 

I  could  see  a  dozen  grinning  faces,  but  it  was  of 
course  impossible  to  tell  who  threw,  and  before  I 
turned  back  an  oyster-shell  struck  me  in  the  back. 

I  turned  round  angrily  and  found  myself  the  object 
of  a  tremendous  shout  of  laughter. 

Almost  at  the  same  moment  I  was  struck  by  an  old 
cabbage-stump  and  by  a  potato,  while  stones  in  plenty 
flew  by  my  head. 

"  The  cowards!"  I  said  to  myself  as  I  strode  on,  look- 
ing to  right  and  left,  and  seeing  that  on  both  sides  of 
the  way  a  number  of  rough  boys  were  collecting,  en- 
couraged by  the  laughter  and  cheers  of  their  elders. 

We  had  not  a  single  boy  at  our  works,  but  I  could 
see  several  of  our  men  were  joining  in  the  sport,  to 
them,  of  having  me  hunted. 

To  have  a  good  hunt,  though,  it  is  necessary  to  have 


I  CHARGE.  285 

a  good  quarry,  that  is  to  say,  the  object  hunted  must 
be  something  that  will  run. 

Now,  in  imagination  I  saw  myself  rushing  away 
pursued  by  a  mob  of  lads,  hooting,  yelling,  and  pelting 
me;  but  I  felt  not  the  slightest  inclination  to  be 
hunted  in  this  fashion,  and  hence  it  was  that  I  w^alked 
steadily  and  watchfully  on,  stick  in  hand,  and  pre- 
pared to  use  it  too,  if  the  necessity  arose. 

Unfortunately  I  was  in  a  road  where  missiles  were 
plentiful,  and  these  came  flying  about  me,  one  every 
now  and  then  giving  me  such  a  stinging  blow  that 
I  winced  with  pain.  The  boys  danced  round  me,  too, 
coming  nearer  as  they  grew  bolder  from  my  non-resis- 
tance, and  before  long  they  began  to  make  rushes, 
hooting  and  yelling  to  startle  me,  no  doubt,  into 
running  away. 

But  so  far  they  did  not  succeed;  and  as  I  continued 
my  w-alking  they  changed  their  tactics,  keeping  out  of 
reach  of  my  stout  stick,  and  taking  to  stones  and  any- 
thing that  came  to  hand. 

I  could  do  nothing.  To  have  turned  round  would 
only  have  been  to  receive  the  objects  thrown  in  my 
face;  and  when  at  last,  stung  into  action  by  a  harder 
blow  than  usual,  I  did  turn  and  make  a  rush  at  the 
boy  I  believed  to  have  thrown,  he  gave  way  and  the 
others  opened  out  to  let  me  pass,  and  then  closed  up 
and  followed. 

It  was  a  foolish  movement  on  my  part,  and  I  found 
I  had  lost  ground,  for  to  get  on  my  way  again  I  had 
to  pass  through  a  body  of  about  a  dozen  lads,  and  the 
only  way  to  do  this  as  they  gathered  themselves  ready 
to  receive  me,  was  by  making  a  bold  rush  through 
them. 

They  were  already  whispering  together,  and  one  of 
them  cried  "Now!"  when  I  made  a  rush  at  them,  stick 
in  hand,  running  as  fast  as  I  could. 

They  made  a  show  of  stopping  me,  but  opened  out 


286  HUNTED, 

directly,  and  as  soon  as  I  had  passed  yelled  to  their 
companions  to  come  on,  with  the  result  that  I  found  I 
could  not  stop  unless  I  stood  at  bay,  and  that  I  was 
doing  the  very  thing  I  had  determined  not  to  do — 
racing  away  from  my  pursuers,  who,  in  a  pack  of 
about  forty,  were  yelling,  crying,  and  in  full  chase. 

To  stop  now  was  impossible:  all  that  was  open  to 
me  was  to  run  hard  and  get  into  the  more  open  suburb, 
leaving  them  behind,  while  I  had  the  satisfaction  of 
knowinjx  that  before  long  the  bells  at  the  different 
works  would  be  ringing,  and  the  young  vagabonds 
obliged  to  hurry  back  to  their  places,  leaving  me  free 
to  maintain  my  course. 

So  that,  now  I  was  involuntarily  started,  I  deter- 
mined to  leave  my  pursuers  Ijehind,  and  I  ran. 

I  don't  think  I  ever  ran  so  fast  before,  but  fast  as  I 
ran  I  soon  found  that  several  of  the  lightly  clothed  old 
looking  lads  were  more  than  my  equals,  and  they  kept 
so  close  that  some  half  a  dozen  were  ready  to  rush  in 
on  me  at  any  moment  and  seize  me  and  drag  me 
back. 

I  was  determined,  though,  that  they  should  not  do 
that,  and,  grasping  my  stick,  I  ran  on,  more  blindly, 
though,  each  moment.  'Tis  true,  1  thought  of  making 
for  the  outskirts  and  tiring  the  boys  out;  but  to  my 
dismay  I  found  that  fresh  lads  kept  joining  in  the 
chase,  all  eatrer  and  delighted  to  have  something  to  run 
down  and  buffet,  wliile  my  breath  was  coming  tliickly, 
my  heart  beat  faster  and  faster,  and  there  was  a  terrible 
burning  sensation  in  my  chest. 

I  looked  to  right  for  some  means  of  escape,  but 
there  was  none;  to  left  was  the  same;  behind  me  the 
yelling  pack;  while  before  me  stretched  the  lanes,  and 
mill  after  mill  with  great  dams  beyond  them  similar 
to  ours. 

I  should  have  stopped  at  bay,  hoping  by  facing  the 
lads  to  keep  them  off;  but  I  was  streaming  with  per- 


A   RISKY   PLACE.  287 

spiration,  and  so  weak  that  I  knew,  in  spite  of  my 
excitement,  that  I  should  hardly  be  able  to  lift  my 
arm. 

On  and  on,  more  and  more  blindly,  feeling  moment 
by  moment  as  if  my  aching  legs  would  give  way  beneath 
me.  I  gazed  wildly  at  my  pursuers  to  ask  for  a  little 
mercy,  but  unfortunately  for  me  they,  excited  and  hot 
with  their  chase,  were  as  cruel  as  boys  can  be,  and  men 
too  at  such  a  time. 

There  was  nothing  for  it  but  to  rush  on  at  a  pace 
that  was  fast  degenerating  into  a  staggering  trot,  and 
in  imagination,  as  the  boys  pushed  me  and  buffeted  me 
with  their  caps,  I  saw  myself  tripped  up,  thrown  down, 
kicked,  and  rolled  in  the  dust,  and  so  much  exhausted 
that  I  could  not  help  myself. 

One  chance  gave  me  a  little  more  energy.  It  must 
be  nearly  time  for  the  bells  to  ring,  and  then  they 
would  be  bound  to  give  up  the  pursuit;  but  as  I 
struggled  I  caught  sight  of  a  clock,  and  saw  that  it 
wanted  a  quarter  of  an  hour  yet. 

There  were  some  men  lounging  against  a  wall,  and  I 
cried  out  to  them,  but  they  hardly  turned  their  heads, 
and  as  I  was  hurried  and  driven  by  I  saw  that  they 
only  laughed  as  if  this  were  excellent  sport. 

Next  we  passed  a  couple  of  well-dressed  ladies,  but 
they  fled  into  a  gateway  to  avoid  my  pursuers,  and 
the  next  minute  I  was  hustled  round  a  corner,  the 
centre  of  the  whooping,  laughing  crowd,  and,  to  my 
horror,  I  found  that  we  were  in  a  narrow  path  with  a 
row  of  stone  cottages  on  one  side,  the  wall  of  a  dam 
like  our  own,  and  only  a  few  inches  above  the  water 
on  the  other. 

I  had  felt  dazed  and  confused  before.  Now  I  saw 
my  danger  clearly  enough  and  the  object  of  the  lads. 

I  was  streaming  with  perspiration,  and  so  weak  that 
I  could  hardly  stand,  but,  to  avoid  being  thrust  in,  and 
perhaps  held   under  water  and  ducked  and  butieted 


288  AT   BAY. 

over  and  over  again,  I  felt  that  I  must  make  a  plunge 
and  try  and  swim  to  the  other  side. 

But  I  dared  not  attempt  it,  even  if  I  could  have  got 
clear;  and  blindly  struggling  on  I  had  about  reached 
the  middle  of  the  dam  path  when  a  foot  was  thrust 
out,  and  I  fell. 

Sobbing  for  my  breath,  beaten  with  fists,  buffeted 
and  blinded  with  the  blows  of  the  young  savages'  caps, 
I  struggled  to  my  feet  once  more,  but  only  to  be  tripped 
an<l  to  fall  again  on  the  rough  stony  path. 

I  could  do  no  more.  I  had  no  strength  to  move,  but 
I  could  think  acutely,  and  feel,  a^  I  longed  for  the 
strength  of  Uncle  Jack,  and  to  hold  in  my  hand  a  good 
stout  but  limber  cane. 

Yes,  I  could  feel  plainly  enough  the  young  ruffians 
dragging  at  me,  and  in  their  eagerness  and  number 
fighting  one  against  the  other. 

"In  wi'  him!" 

"Dook  him,  lads!" 

"Now,  then,  all  together!" 

I  heard  all  these  cries  mingled  together,  and  mixed 
up  w^ith  the  busy  hands  and  faces,  I  seemed  to  see  the 
row  of  houses,  the  clear  sky,  the  waters  of  the  dam, 
and  Gentles  the  grinder  leaning  against  a  door  and 
looking  on. 

I  was  being  lifted  amidst  shouts  and  laucjhter,  and 
I  knew  that  the  next  moment  I  should  be  in  the  dam, 
when  there  was  a  tremendous  splash,  and  some  drops 
of  water  sprinkled  my  face. 

Then  there  was  the  rattle  of  the  handle  of  a  bucket, 
and  another  splash  heard  above  all  the  yelling  and 
shouting  of  the  boys.  There  was  the  hollow  sound  of 
a  pail  banged  against  something  hard,  and  mingled 
with  cries,  shouts,  laughter,  and  ejaculations  of  pain 
I  felt  myself  fall  upon  the  path,  to  be  kicked  and 
trampled  on  by  someone  contending,  for  there  were 
slaps,  and  thuds,  and  blows,  the  panting  and  hissing  of 


JANE   GENTLES.  289 

breath;  and  then  the  clanging  of  bells  near  and  bells 
far,  buzzing  in  ears,  the  rush  and  scuttling  of  feet,  with 
shouts  of  derision,  defiance,  and  laughter,  and  then,  last 
of  all,  a  curious  cloud  of  mist  seemed  to  close  me  in 
like  the  fog  on  the  Dome  Tor,  and  out  of  this  a  shrill 
angry  voice  cried: 

"Ah,  ye  may  shout,  but  some  on  ye  got  it.  Go 
and  dry  yourselves  at  the  furnace,  you  cowardly 
young  shacks.  Hey,  bud  I  wish  I'd  hed  holt  o'  yon 
stick  r 

"  Yon  stick!"  I  felt  must  be  mine;  but  my  head  was 
aching,  and  I  seemed  to  go  to  sleep. 

"  I  wish  you'd  be  quiet,"  I  remember  saying.  "  Let 
me  be." 

"  Fetch  some  more  watter,  mester,"  said  a  pleasant 
voice,  and  a  rough  hand  was  laid  upon  my  forehead, 
but  only  to  be  taken  away  again,  and  that  which  had 
vexed  and  irritated  me  went  on  again,  and  in  a  dreamy 
way  I  knew  it  was  a  sponge  that  was  being  passed  over 
my  face. 

"I  fetched  Mester  Tom  one  wi'  bottom  o'  the  boocket, 
and  I  got  one  kick  at  Tom,  and  when  the  two  boys 
come  home  to-night  they'll  get  such  a  leathering  as 
they  never  hed  before." 

"  Nay,  let  'em  be,"  said  a  familiar  voice. 

"  Let  'em  be !  D'ye  think  I'm  going  to  he v  my  bairns 
grow  up  such  shacks?  Nay,  that  I  wean't,  so  yo  may 
like  it  or  no.  I'd  be  shamed  o'  my  sen  to  stand  by 
and  let  that  pack  o'  boys  half  kill  the  young  gentleman 
like  that." 

"  I  warn't  going  to  stop  'em." 

"  Not  you,  mester.  Yow'd  sooner  set  'em  on,  like 
you  do  your  mates,  and  nice  things  come  on  it  wi'  your 
strikes  and  powder,  and  your  wife  and  bairns  wi'  empty 
cupboard.  Yow  on'y  let  me  know  o'  next  meeting,  and 
if  I  don't  come  and  give  the  men  a  bit  o'  my  mind,  my 
name  arn't  Jane  Gentles." 

(322)  T 


290  MY   RESCUER. 

"  Yow'd  best  keep  thy  tongue  still." 

"  Mebbe  you  think  so,  my  man,  but  I  don't." 

My  senses  had  come  back,  and  I  was  staring  about 
at  the  clean  kitchen  I  was  in,  with  carefully  black- 
leaded  grate  and  red -brick  floor.  Against  the  open 
door,  looking  out  upon  the  dam,  and  smoking  his  pipe, 
stood  —  there  was  no  mistaking  him — our  late  man. 
Gentles;  while  over  me  with  a  sponge  in  her  hand,  and 
a  basin  of  water  by  her  on  a  chair,  was  a  big  broad- 
shouldered  woman  with  great  bare  arms  and  a  pleasant 
homely  face,  whose  dark  hair  was  neatly  kept  and 
streaked  with  gray. 

She  saw  that  I  was  coming  to,  and  smiled  down  at 
me,  showing  a  set  of  very  white  teeth,  and  her  plump 
face  looked  motherly  and  pleasant  as  she  bent  down 
and  laid  her  hand  upon  my  forehead. 

"  That's  bonny,"  she  said,  nodding  her  head  at  me. 
"  You  lie  still  a  bit  and  I'll  mak  you  a  cup  o'  tea,  and 
yo'll  be  aw  reight  again.  I'm  glad  I  caught  'em  at  it. 
Some  on  'em's  going  to  hev  sore  bones  for  that  job,  and 
so  I  tell  'em." 

I  took  her  hand  and  held  it  in  mine,  feeling  very 
weak  and  dreamy  still,  and  I  saw  Gentles  shift  round 
and  give  me  a  hasty  glance,  and  tlien  twist  himself 
more  round  with  his  back  to  me. 

"  Howd  up  a  minute,"  she  said,  passing  one  strong- 
arm  under  me  and  lifting  me  as  if  I  had  been  a  baby; 
and  almost  before  I  had  realized  it  she  slipped  oil"  my 
jacket  and  placed  a  cushion  beneath  my  head. 

"There,  now,  lie  still,"  she  said,  dabbing  my  w^et 
hair  with  a  towel.     "  Go  to  sleep  if  you  can." 

By  this  time  she  was  at  the  other  end  of  the  common 
print-covered  .couch  on  which  I  lay  and  unlacing  my 
boots,  which  she  drew  off. 

"  There,  now  thou'lt  be  easy,  my  lad.  What  would 
thy  poor  moother  say  if  she  saw  thee  this  how?" 

I  wanted  to  thank  her,  but  I  was  too  dreamy  and 


A   FEW   WOllDS.  291 

exhausted  to  speak;  but  I  had  a  strange  feeling  of 
dread,  and  that  was,  that  if  I  were  left  alone  with 
Gentles  he  would,  out  of  revenge,  lay  hold  of  me  and 
throw  me  into  the  dam,  and  to  strengthen  my  fancy  I 
saw  him  keep  turning  his  head  in  a  furtive  way  to 
glance  at  me. 

"  Here,"  exclaimed  the  woman  sharply,  "  take  these 
here  boots  out  to  the  back,  mester,  and  clean  'em  while 
I  brush  his  coat." 

"Eh?"  said  Gentles. 

"  Tak  them  boots  out  and  brush  'em.  Are  yo' 
deaf?" 

"  Nay,  I'm  not  going  to  clean  his  boots,"  growled 
Gentles. 

"Not  going  to  clean  the  bairn's  boots!"  said  the 
woman  sharply;  "but  I  think  thou  art." 

She  left  me,  went  to  the  door,  took  Gentles'  pipe 
from  his  mouth,  and  then  thrust  the  boots  under  his 
arm,  laying  a  great  hand  upon  his  shoulder  directly 
after,  and  seeming  to  lead  him  to  a  door  behind  me, 
through  which  she  pushed  him,  with  an  order  to  make 
haste. 

"  Yes,"  she  said,  tightening  her  lips,  and  smiling,  as 
she  nodded  to  me,  "  I'm  mester  here,  and  they  hev  to 
mind.  Was  it  thou  as  set  the  big  trap  ketched  my 
mester  by  the  leg?" 

I  never  felt  more  taken  aback  in  my  life;   but  I 

spoke  out  boldly,  and  said  that  it  was  I. 

"And  sarve  him  rioht.    Be  a  lesson  to  him.    Mixing 

.  .  .      .  ^ 

himself  up  wi'  such  business.     I  towd  him  if  he  crep 

into  people's  places  o'  neets,  when  he  owt  to  hev  been 

fast  asleep  i'   bed  wi'   his  wife  and  bairns,  he  must 

reckon  on  being  ketched  like  a  rat.     I'd  like  to  knock 

some  o'  their  heads  together,  I  would.     They're  alius 

feitin'  agen  the  mesters,  and  generally  for  nowt,  and 

it's  ooz  as  has  to  suffer." 

Mrs.  Gentles   had   told  me  to  try  and  sleep,  and 


292  MY   BOOTS    ARE   CLEANED. 

she  meant  well;  but  there  were  two  things  which, 
had  I  been  so  disposed,  would  thoroughly  have  pre- 
vented it,  and  they  were  the  dread  ot"  Gentles  doing- 
something  to  be  revenged  upon  me,  and  his  wife's 
tongue. 

For  she  went  on  chattering  away  to  me  in  the  most 
confidential  manner,  busying  herself  all  the  time  in 
brushing  my  dusty  jacket  on  a  very  white  three-legged 
table,  after  giving  the  cloth  a  preliminary  beating 
outside. 

"  There,"  she  said,  hanging  it  on  a  chair;  "by  and 
by  you  shall  get  up  and  brush  your  hair,  and  I'll  give 
you  a  brush  down,  and  then  with  clean  boots  you  will 
not  be  so  very  much  the  worse." 

She  then  sat  down  to  some  needlework,  stitchincj 
away  busily,  and  giving  me  all  sorts  of  information 
about  her  family — how  she  had  two  boys  out  at  work 
at  Bandy's,  taking  it  for  granted  that  I  knew  who 
Bandy's  were;  that  she  had  her  eldest  girl  in  service, 
and  the  next  helping  her  aunt  Betsey,  and  the  other 
four  were  at  school. 

All  of  which  was,  no  doubt,  very  interesting  to  her; 
but  the  only  part  that  took  my  attention  was  about 
her  two  boys,  who  had,  I  knew,  from  what  I  over- 
heard, been  in  the  pack  that  had  so  cruelly  hunted  me 
down. 

And  all  this  while  I  could  hear  the  slow  brush,  brush 
at  my  boots,  evidently  outside  the  back-door,  and  I 
half  expected  to  have  them  brought  back  ripped,  or 
with  something  sharp  inside  to  injure  me  when  I  put 
them  on. 

At  last,  after  Mrs.  Gentles  had  made  several  allusions 
to  how  long  "  the  mester  "  was  "  wi'  they  boots,"  he  came 
in,  limping  slightly,  and  after  closing  the  door  dropped 
them  on  the  brick  floor. 

"Why,  Sam!"  exclaimed  Mrs.  Gentles,  "I'd  be 
ashamed  o'  mysen — that  I  would!" 


A   GOOD    WIFE.  293 

But  Gentles  did  not  seem  to  be  in  the  slightest  degree 
ashamed  of  hiinself,  but  took  his  pipe  from  the  shelf, 
where  his  wife  had  laid  it,  struck  a  match,  relit  it,  and 
went  off  with  his  hands  in  his  pockets, 

Mrs.  Gentles  rose  and  followed  him  to  the  door,  and 
then  returned,  with  her  lips  tightened  and  an  angry 
look  in  her  face. 

"  Now  he's  gone  off  to  booblic,"  she  said  angrily,  "  to 
hatch  up  and  mess  about  and  contrive  all  sorts  o'  mis- 
chief wi'  them  as  leads  him  on.  Oh  the  times  I've 
telled  him  as  they  might  make  up  all  the  differ  by 
spending  the  time  in  work  that  they  do  in  striking 
again'  a  sixpence  took  off  or  to  get  one  putt  on!  Ay, 
but  we  missuses  have  but  a  sorry  time!" 

The  absence  of  Gentles'  furtive  look  sent  back  at 
me  from  the  door  seemed  to  change  the  effect  of  his 
wife's  voice,  which  by  degrees  grew  soothing  and  soft, 
and  soon  after  1  dropped  off  asleep,  and  dreamed  of  a 
curious  clinking  going  on,  from  which  dream  I  awoke, 
with  my  head  cooler,  and  Mrs.  Gentles  bending  over 
me  and  fanning  my  face  with  what  looked  like  an  old 
copy-book. 

I  looked  at  her  wonderingly. 

"  That's  better,"  she  said.  "  Now  set  up  and  I'll  help 
thee  dress;  and  here's  a  nice  cup  of  tea  ready." 

"  Oh,  thank  you !"  I  said.     "  What  time  is  it?" 

"  Close  upon  five,  and  I  thowt  you'd  be  better  now 
after  some  tea." 

She  helped  me  on  with  my  jacket,  and  I  winced 
with  pain,  I  was  so  stiff  and  sore.  After  this  she  in- 
sisted upon  putting  on  my  boots. 

"  Just  as  if  I  heven't  done  such  things  hundreds  of 
times,"  she  said  cheerfully.  "  Why,  I  used  to  put  on 
the  mester's  and  tak  'em  off  all  the  time  his  leg  was 
bad." 

"I'm  sorry  I  set  that  trap,"  I  said,  looking  up  at 
her  rough,  pleasant  face,  and  wondering  how  such  a 


294  A   DISCUSSION   AT   HOME. 

sneaking,  malignant  fellow  could  have  won  so  good  a 
wife. 

"  I'm  not,"  she  said  laughing.  "  It  sarved  him  right, 
so  say  no  more  about  it." 

That  tea  was  like  nectar,  and  seemed  to  clear  my 
head,  so  that  I  felt  nearly  recovered  save  when  I  tried 
to  rise,  and  then  I  was  in  a  good  deal  of  pain.  But  I 
deemed  myself  equal  to  going,  and  was  about  to  start 
when  I  missed  my  cap. 

"Hey,  but  that'll  be  gone,"  she  said.  "Oh,  they 
boys!     Well,  yow  must  hev  Dick's." 

Before  I  could  protest  she  went  upstairs,  and  re- 
turned with  a  decent-looking  cap,  which  I  promised  to 
return,  and  then,  bidding  my  Samaritan-like  hostess 
good-bye,  I  walked  firmly  out  of  her  sight,  and  then 
literally  began  to  hobble,  and  was  glad  as  soon  as  I 
could  get  into  the  main  road  to  hail  one  of  the  town 
cabs  and  be  driven  home,  not  feeling  strong  enough  to 
go  to  the  works  and  tell  of  my  mishap. 

Mr.  Tomplin  came  in  that  evening  after  Uncle  Dick 
had  heard  all  my  narrative  and  Uncle  Bob  had  walked 
up  and  down  the  room,  driving  his  fist  into  his  hand 
every  now  and  then  with  a  loud  2^<^t. 

We  had  had  a  long  conversation,  in  which  I  had 
taken  part  with  a  terribly  aching  head,  and  I  should 
have  gone  to  bed  only  I  would  not  show  the  white- 
feather. 

For  they  all  three  made  this  a  reason  why  I  should 
give  up  to  them,  and  after  all  go  back. 

"  You  see  the  men  are  dead  against  us.  Cob,  and  the 
boys  follow  suit,  and  are  against  you."  So  said  Uncle 
Dick. 

"All  the  men  are  not  against  you,"  I  said.  "  Look 
at  Pannell!  He  has  come  round,  and,"  I  added,  with 
a  laugh  that  hurt  me  horribly,  "  I  shall  have  some  of 
the  Vjoys  come  round  and  help  me." 

"The  young  scoundrels'"  cried  Uncle  Bob.     Pat — 


"LIKE   A   HUNGRY   LION."  295 

that  was  his  fist  coming  down  into  his  hand.     "  The 
young  scoundrels!" 

"  Well,  you've  said  that  twenty  times  at  least,  Bob," 
said  Uncle  Jack. 

"Enough  to  make  me!"  said  Uncle  Bob  sharply. 
"The  young  scoundrels!"     Pat. 

"I  only  wish  I'd  been  there  with  a  good  handy 
riding-whip,"  said  Uncle  Jack.  "  There  would  have 
been  some  wailing  among  them." 

"  Yes ;  and  summonses  for  assault,  and  all  that 
bother,"  said  Uncle  Dick.  "We  don't  w^ant  to  come  to 
blows.  Jack,  if  we  can  help  it." 

"  They  are  beyond  bearing,"  cried  Uncle  Bob,  keep- 
ing up  his  walk;  "the  young  scoundrels!"     Pat. 

"  My  dear  Bob,"  cried  Uncle  Dick,  who  was  very 
much  out  of  temper;  "if  you  would  be  kind  enough  to 
leave  off  that  trot  up  and  down." — 

"  Like  a  hungry  lion,"  said  Uncle  Jack. 

"  In  the  Zoo,"  cried  Uncle  Dick,  "  you  would  very 
much  oblio-e  me." 

"  I  can't  sit  down,"  said  Uncle  Bob,  thumping  his 
hand.     "  I  feel  too  much  excited." 

"  Then  bottle  it  up  for  future  use,"  said  Uncle  Dick. 
"  You  really  must." 

"  To  attack  and  hurt  the  boy  in  that  way !  It's 
scandalous.     The  young  rufiians — the  young  savages!" 

Just  then  Mr.  Tomplin  came  in,  looked  sharply 
round,  and  saw  there  was  something  wrong. 

"I  beg  your  pardon,"  he  said  quickly;  "I'll  look  in 
another  time." 

"No,  no,"  said  Uncle  Bob.  "Pray  sit  down.  We 
want  your  advice.  A  cruel  assault  upon  our  nephew 
here" — and  he  related  the  wdiole  affair. 

"Humph!"  ejaculated  Mr.  Tomplin,  looking  hard  at 
me. 

"What  should  you  advise — warrants  against  the 
ringleaders?" 


296  MR.  tomplin's  opinion. 

"Summonses,  Mr.  Robert,  I  presume,"  said  Mr.  Tomp- 
lin.     "But  you  don't  know  who  they  were?" 

"Yes;  oh,  yes!"  cried  Uncle  Bob  eagerly.  "Two 
young  Gentles." 

"  But  you  said  the  mother  saved  our  young  friend 
here  from  the  lads,  dowsed  them  and  trounced  them 
with  a  pail,  and  made  her  husband  clean  his  boots, 
while  she  nursed  him  and  made  him  tea." 

"  Ye-es,"  said  Uncle  Bob. 

"  Well,  my  dear  sir,  when  you  get  summonses  out 
against  boys — a  practice  to  which  I  have  a  very  great 
objection — it  is  the  parents  who  suffer  more  than  their 
offspring." 

"Ami  serve  them  right,  sir,  for  bringing  their  boys 
up  so  badly." 

"  Yes,  I  suppose  so;  but  boys  will  be  boys,"  said  Mr. 
Tomplin. 

"  I  don't  mind  their  being  boys,"  said  Uncle  Bob 
angrily;  "what  I  do  object  to  is  their  being  young 
savages.     Why,  sir,  they  half  killed  my  nephew." 

"  But  he  has  escaped,  my  dear  sir,  and,  as  I  under- 
stand it,  the  mother  has  threatened  to — er — er — leather 
the  boys  well,  that  was,  I  think,  her  term" — 

"  Yes,"  I  said,  rather  gleefully,  "  leather  them." 

"And  judging  from  the  description  I  have  heard  of 
this  Amazon-like  lady,  who  makes  her  husband  obey 
her  like  a  sheep,  the  young  gentlemen's  skins  will 
undergo  rather  a  severe  tanning  process.  Now,  don't 
you  think  you  had  better  let  the  matter  stand  as  it 
is?  And,  speaking  on  the  lex  talionis  principle,  our 
young  friend  Jacob  here  ought  to  be  able  to  handle  his 
fists,  and  on  the  first  occasion  when  he  met  one  of  his 
enemies  he  might  perhaps  give  him  a  thrashing.  I 
don't  advise  it,  for  it  is  illegal,  but  he  might  perhaps 
by  accident.     It  would  have  a  good  effect." 

"  But  you  are  always  for  letting  things  drop,  Mr. 
Tomplin,"  said  Uncle  Bob  peevishly. 


I   HAVE   A   WISH.  297 

"Yes;  I  don't  like  my  friends  to  go  to  law — or 
appeal  to  the  law,  as  one  may  say.  I  am  a  lawyer, 
and  I  lose  by  giA'ing  such  advice,  I  know." 

"  Mr.  Tomplin's  right.  Bob,"  said  Uncle  Jack.  "You 
think  of  that  boy  as  if  he  were  sugar.  I'm  sure  he 
does  not  want  to  take  any  steps;  do  you,  Cob?" 

"No,"  I  said;  "if  I  may"— 

I  stopped  short. 

"May  what?" 

"  Have  a  few  lessons  in  boxinef.  I  hate  fio-htinsj;  but 
I  should  like  to  thrash  that  big  boy  who  kept  hitting 
me  most." 


•^ 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 


UNCLE  JACK  AND  I  HAVE  A  RUN. 


)  BTHi         ft  Wd  A 


DID  not  have  any  lessons  in  boxing,  in  spite 
of  my  earnest  desire. 

"  We  do  not  want  to  be  aggressors,  Cob," 
said  my  Uncle  Dick. 

"  But  we  want  to  defend  ourselves,  uncle." 

"To  be  sure  we  do,  my  lad,"  he  said;  "and  we'll  be 
ready  as  we  can  when  we  are  attacked ;  but  I  don't  see 
the  necessity  for  training  ourselves  to  light." 

So  I  did  not  meet  and  thrash  my  enemy,  but  went 
steadily  on  with  my  duties  at  the  works. 

In  fact  I  was  very  little  the  worse  for  my  adventure, 
thanks  to  Mrs.  Gentles,  to  whom  I  returned  the  cap 
she  had  lent  me  and  thanked  her  warmly  for  her 
goodness. 

She  seemed  very  pleased  to  see  me,  and  told  me  that 
her  "mester"  was  quite  well,  only  his  leg  was  a  little 
stiff,  and  that  he  was  at  work  now  with  her  boys. 

The  matters  seemed  now  to  have  taken  a  sudden 
turn,  as  Mr.  Tomplin  said  they  would:  the  men  were 
evidently  getting  over  their  dislike  to  us  and  the  new 
steel,  making  it  up  and  grinding  it  in  an  ill-used,  half 
contemptuous  sort  of  way,  and  at  last  the  necessity  for 
watching  by  night  seemed  so  slight  that  we  gave  it  up. 

But  it  was  felt  that  it  would  not  be  wise  to  give  up 
the  air  of  keeping  the  place  looked  after  by  night,  so 


OUR   NEW   WATCHMAN.  299 

old  Dunning  the  gate-keeper  was  consnlted,  and  he 
knew  of  the  very  man — one  who  had  been  a  night 
watcliman  all  his  life  and  was  now  out  of  work  through 
the  failure  of  the  firm  by  whom  he  had  been  employed. 

In  due  time  the  man  came — a  tall,  very  stout  fellow, 
of  about  sixty,  with  a  fierce  look  and  a  presence  that 
was  enough  to  keep  away  mischief  by  the  fact  of  its 
being  known  that  he  was  there. 

He  came  twice,  and  was  engaged  to  be  on  duty  every 
night  at  nine;  and  in  the  conversation  that  ensued 
in  the  ofiice  he  took  rather  a  gruft',  independent  tone, 
which  was  mingled  with  contempt  as  he  was  told  of 
the  attempts  that  had  been  made. 

"Yes,"  he  said  coolly;  "it's  a  way  the  hands  have 
wherever  new  folk  come  and  don't  hev  a  reo'lar  watch- 
man.  There  wouldn't  hev  been  none  of  that  sort  o' 
thinw  if  I  had  been  here." 

"  Then  you  don't  expect  any  more  troubles  of  this 
kind?" 

"  More !  Not  likely,  mester.  We've  ways  of  our  own 
down  here;  and  as  soon  as  the  lads  know  that  Tom 
Searby's  on  as  watchman  there'll  be  no  more  trouble." 

"  I  hope  there  will  not,"  said  Uncle  Dick  as  soon  as 
the  man  had  gone.  "It  will  be  worth  all  his  wages  to 
be  able  to  sleep  in  peace." 

About  this  time  there  had  been  some  talk  of  my 
father  and  mother  coming  down  to  Arrowfield,  but 
once  more  difficulties  arose  in  town  which  necessitated 
my  father's  stay,  and  as  my  mother  was  rather  delicate, 
it  was  decided  that  she  should  not  be  brought  up  into 
the  cold  north  till  the  springtime  came  again. 

"All  work  and  no  play  makes — you  know  the  rest," 
said  Uncle  Jack  one  morning  at  breakfast.  "I  won't 
say  it,  because  it  sounds  egotistic.  Cob,  what  do  you 
say?     Let's  ask  for  a  holiday." 

"  Why  not  all  four  go  ? "  I  said  eagerly;  for  though 
the  works  were  very  interesting  and  I  enjoyed  seeing 


300  ANOTHER   HOLIDAY. 

the  work  go  on,  I  was  ready  enough  to  get  away,  and 
so  sure  as  the  sun  shone  brightly  1  felt  a  great  longing 
to  be  off  from  the  soot  and  noise  to  where  the  cri'eat 
hills  were  abloom  with  heather  and  gorse,  and  tramp 
where  I  pleased. 

Uncle  Dick  shook  his  head. 

"  No,"  he  said ;  "two  of  us  stay — two  go.  You  fellows 
have  a  run  to-day,  and  we'll  take  our  turn  another 
time." 

We  were  too  busy  to  waste  time,  and  in  high  glee 
away  we  went,  with  no  special  aim  in  view,  only  to 
get  out  of  the  town  as  soon  as  possible,  and  off  to  the 
hills. 

Uncle  Jack  was  a  stern,  hard  man  in  the  works,  but 
as  soon  as  he  went  out  for  a  holiday  he  used  to  take 
off  twenty  years,  as  he  said,  and  leave  them  at  home, 
so  that  I  seemed  to  have  a  big  lad  of  my  own  age  for 
companion. 

It  was  a  glorious  morning,  and  our  way  lay  by  the 
works  and  then  on  past  a  series  of  "  wheels  "  up  the 
valley,  in  fact  the  same  route  I  had  taken  that  day 
when  I  was  hunted  by  the  boys. 

But  I  had  Uncle  Jack  by  my  side,  and  in  addition 
it  was  past  breakfast  time,  and  the  boys  were  at 
work. 

We  had  nearly  reached  the  dam  into  which  I  had 
so  narrowly  escaped  a  ducking,  and  I  was  wondering 
whether  Uncle  Jack  would  mind  my  just  running  to 
speak  to  the  big  honest  woman  in  the  row  of  houses 
we  were  about  to  pass,  when  he  stood  still. 

"  What  is  it?"  I  said. 

"Cob,  my  lad,"  he  cried,  "I  want  a  new  head  or  a 
new  set  of  brains,  or  something.  I've  totally  forgotten 
to  ask  your  Uncle  Dick  to  write  to  the  engineer  about 
the  boiler." 

"  Let  me  run  back,"  I  said. 

"Won't  do,  my  boy;  must  see  him  myself.     There, 


SPINNING   TEAPOTS.  301 

you  keep  steadily  on  along  the  road  as  if  we  were 
bound  for  Leadsliirc,  and  I'll  overtake  you  in  less  than 
half  an  hour. 

"  But,"  I  said,  "I  was  going  this  way  to  meet  Uncle 
Dick  that  day  when  he  "SA'ent  to  buy  the  stones,  and 
what  a  holiday  that  turned  out!" 

"  I  don't  think  history  will  repeat  itself  this  time, 
Cob,"  he  replied. 

"But  will  you  be  able  to  find  me  again?" 

"  I  can't  help  it  if  you  keep  to  the  road.  If  you 
jump  over  the  iii'st  hedge  you  come  to,  and  go  rambling 
over  the  hills,  of  course  I  shall  not  find  you." 

"Then  there  is  no  fear,"  I  said;  and  he  walked 
sharply  back,  while  I  strode  on  slowly  and  stopped  by 
the  open  window  of  one  factory,  where  a  couple  of  men 
were  spinning  teapots. 

"Spinning  teapots!"  I  fancy  I  hear  some  one  say; 
"how's  that  done?" 

Well,  it  has  always  struck  me  as  being  so  ingenious 
and  such  an  example  of  what  can  be  done  by  working 
on  metal  whirled  round  at  a  great  speed,  that  I  may 
interest  some  one  in  telling  all  I  saw. 

The  works  opposite  which  I  stopped  found  their 
motive  power  in  a  great  wheel  just  as  ours  did,  but 
instead  of  steel  being  the  metal  used,  the  firm  worked 
in  what  is  called  Britannia  metal,  which  is  an  alloy  of 
tin,  antimony,  zinc,  and  copper,  which  being  mixed  in 
certain  proportions  form  a  metal  having  the  whiteness 
of  tin,  but  a  solidity  and  firmness  given  by  the  three 
latter  metals,  that  make  it  very  durable,  which  tin  is 
not. 

"Oh,  but,"  says  somebody,  "tin  is  hard  enough !  Look 
at  the  tin  saucepans  and  kettles  in  every  kitchen." 

I  beg  pardon;  those  are  all  made  of  plates  of  iron 
rolled  out  very  thin  and  then  dipped  in  a  bath  of  tin, 
to  come  out  white  and  silvery  and  clean  and  ready  to 
keep  off  rust  from  attacking  the  iron.     What  people 


302  BRITANNIA   METAL. 

call  tin  plates  are  really  tinned  plates.  Tin  itself  is  a 
soft  metal  that  melts  and  runs  like  lead. 

As  I  looked  through  into  these  works,  one  man  was 
busy  with  sheets  of  rolled-out  Britannia  metal,  thrus- 
ting them  l)eneatli  a  stamping  press,  and  at  every  clang 
with  which  this  came  down  a  piece  of  metal  like  a 
peii'ectly  flat  spoon  was  cut  out  and  fell  aside,  while  at  a 
corresponding  press  another  man  was  holding  a  sheet, 
and  as  close  as  possible  out  of  this  he  was  stamping  out 
flat  forks,  which,  like  the  spoons,  were  borne  to  other 
presses  with  dies,  and  as  the  flat  spoon  or  fork  was 
thrust  in  it  received  a  tremendous  blow,  which  shaped 
the  bowl  and  curved  the  handle,  while  men  at  vices 
and  benches  finished  them  ofl"  with  tiles. 

1  had  seen  all  this  before,  and  how  out  of  a  flat  sheet 
of  metal  what  seemed  like  beautiful  silver  spoons  were 
made ;  but  I  had  never  yet  seen  a  man  spin  a  teapot, 
so  being  holiday  time,  and  having  to  wait  for  Uncle 
Jack,  I  stood  looking  on. 

I  presume  that  most  boys  know  a  lathe  when  they 
see  it,  and  how,  out  of  a  block  of  wood,  ivory,  or 
metal,  a  beautifully  round  handle,  chess-man,  or  even 
a  perfect  ball  can  be  turned. 

"  Well,  it  is  just  such  a  lathe  as  this  that  the  tea- 
pot spinner  stands  before  at  his  work,  which  is  to 
make  a  handsome  tea  or  cofl'ee-pot  service. 

But  he  uses  no  sharp  tools,  and  he  does  not  turn  his 
tea-pot  out  of  a  solid  block  of  metal.  His  tool  is  a 
hard  piece  of  wood,  something  like  a  child's  hoop- 
stick,  and  fixed  to  the  spinning-round  part  of  the 
lathe,  the  "chuck,"  as  a  workman  would  call  it,  is  a 
solid  block  of  smooth  wood  shaped  like  a  deep  slop- 
basin. 

Up  against  the  bottom  of  this  wooden  sugar-basin 
the  workman  places  a  flat  round  discor  plateof  Britannia 
metal — plate  is  a  good  term,  for  it  is  about  the  size  or 
a  little  larger  than  an  ordinary  dimier  plate.     A  part 


THE   DUCTILE   ALLOY.  303 

of  the  lathe  is  screwed  up  against  this  so  as  to  hold 
the  plate  flat  up  against  the  bottom  of  the  wooden 
sugar-basin ;  the  lathe  is  set  in  motion  and  the  glisten- 
ing white  disc  of  metal  spins  round  at  an  inconceivable 
rate,  and  becomes  nearly  invisible. 

Then  the  man  begins  to  press  his  wooden  stick  up 
against  the  centre  of  the  plate  as  near  as  he  can  go, 
and  gradually  draws  the  wooden  tool  from  the  centre 
towards  the  edge,  pressing  it  over  the  wooden  block  of 
basin  shape. 

This  he  does  again  and  again,  and  in  spite  of  the 
metal  being  cold,  the  heat  of  the  friction,  the  speed  at 
which  it  goes,  and  the  ductility  of  the  metal  make  it 
behave  as  if  it  were  so  much  clay  or  putty,  and  in  a 
very  short  time  the  wooden  tool  has  moulded  it  from 
a  flat  disc  into  a  metal  bowl  wdiich  covers  the  w^ooden 
block. 

Then  the  lathe  is  stopped,  the  mechanism  unscrewed, 
and  the  metal  bowl  taken  ofl:'the  moulding  block,  wdiich 
is  dispensed  wdtli  now,  for  if  the  spinner  were  to 
attempt  to  contract  the  edges  of  his  bowl,  as  a  potter 
does  when  making  a  jug,  the  wooden  mould  could  not 
be  taken  out. 

So  without  the  wooden  block  the  metal  bowl  is 
again  fixed  in  the  lathe,  sent  spinning  round,  the  stick 
applied,  and  in  a  very  short  time  the  bowl,  instead  of 
beincr  large-mouthed,  is  made  to  contract  in  a  beautiful 
curve,  growing  smaller  and  smaller,  till  it  is  about  one- 
third  of  its  original  diameter,  and  the  metal  has  seemed 
to  be  plastic,  and  yielded  to  the  moulding  tool  till  a 
gracefully  formed  tall  vessel  is  the  result,  with  quite  a 
narrow  mouth  where  the  lid  is  to  be. 

Here  the  spinner's  task  is  at  an  end.  He  has  turned 
a  flat  plate  of  metal  into  a  large-bodied  narrow- 
mouthed  metal  pot  as  easily  as  if  the  hard  cold  metal 
had  been  clay,  and  all  with  the  lathe  and  a  piece  of 
wood.     There   are   no   chips,  no   scrapings.     All   the 


304  A   STATE   OF   EXCITEMENT. 

metal  is  in  tlie  pot,  and  that  is  now  passed  on  to  have 
four  legs  soldered  on,  a  hole  cut  for  the  spout  to  be 
fitted;  a  handle  placed  where  the  handle  should  be, 
and  finally  hinges  and  a  lid  and  polish  to  make  it  per- 
fect and  ready  for  someone's  tray. 

I  stopped  and  saw  the  workman  spin  a  couple  of 
pots,  and  then  thinking  I  should  like  to  have  a  try  at 
one  of  our  lathes,  I  went  on  past  this  dam  and  on  to 
the  next,  where  I  meant  to  have  a  friendly  word  with 
Mrs.  Gentles  if  her  lord  and  master  were  not  smoking 
by  the  door. 

I  did  not  expect  to  see  him  after  hearing  that 
he  was  away  at  work;  but  as  it  happened  he  was 
there. 

For  as  I  reached  the  path  along  by  the  side  of  the 
dam  I  found  myself  in  the  midst  of  a  crowd  of  women 
and  crying  children,  all  in  a  state  of  great  excitement 
concerning  something  in  the  dam. 

I  hurried  on  to  see  what  was  the  matter,  and  to  my 
astonishment  there  was  Gentles  on  the  edge  of  the 
dam,  armed  with  an  ordinary  long  broom,  with  which 
he  was  trying  to  hook  something  out  of  the  water — 
what,  I  could  not  see,  for  there  was  nothing  visible. 

"  Farther  in — farther  in,"  a  shrill  voice  cried,  making 
itself  heard  over  the  gabble  of  fifty  others.  "  My  Jenny 
says  he  went  in  theer." 

I  was  still  some  distance  off,  but  I  could  see  Gentles 
the  unmistakaljle  splash  the  broom  in  again,  and  then 
over  and  over  again,  while  women  were  wringing  their 
hands,  and  giving  bits  of  advice  which  seemed  to  have 
no  cfiect  upon  Gentles,  who  kept  splashing  away  with 
the  broom. 

Just  then  a  tall  figure  in  bonnet  and  shawl  came 
hurrying  from  the  other  end  of  the  path,  and  joined 
the  group  about  the  same  time  as  I  did. 

There  was  no  mistaking  Mrs.  Gentles  without  her 
voice,  which  she  soon  made  heard. 


ii   DANGEROUS   ACCIDENT.  305 

"  Whose  bairn  is  it?"  she  cried  loudly,  and  throwing 
off  her  bonnet  and  shawl  as  she  spoke. 

"  Thine — it's  tliy  little  Esau — playing  on  the  edge 
— got  shoved  in,"  was  babbled  out  by  a  dozen  women; 
while  Gentles  did  not  speak,  but  went  on  pushing  in 
the  broom,  giving  it  a  mow  round  like  a  scythe,  and 
pulling  it  out. 

"Wheer?  Oh,  my  gracious!"  panted  Mrs.  Gentles, 
"  wheer  did  he  go  in?" 

Poor  woman!  A  dozen  hands  pointed  to  different 
parts  of  the  bank  many  yards  apart,  and  I  saw  her 
turn  quite  white  as  she  rushed  at  her  husband  and 
tore  the  broom  from  his  hands. 

"What's  the  good  o'  that,  thou  Maulkin,"^  she  cried, 
giving  him  a  push  that  sent  him  staggering  away;  and 
without  a  moment's  hesitation  she  stooped,  tightened 
her  garments  round  her,  and  jumped  right  into  the 
dam,  which  was  deeper  than  she  thought,  for  she  went 
under  in  the  great  splash  she  made,  losing  her  footing, 
and  a  dread  fell  upon  all  till  they  saw  the  great  stal- 
wart woman  rise  and  shake  the  water  from  her  face, 
and  stand  chest  deep,  and  then  shoulder  deep,  as,  sobbing 
hysterically,  she  reached  out  in  all  directions  with  the 
broom,  trying  to  find  the  child. 

"  Was  it  anywheers  about  here — anywheers  about 
here?"  she  cried,  as  she  waded  to  and  fro  in  a  state  of 
frantic  excitement,  and  a  storm  of  affirmations  re- 
sponded, while  her  husband,  who  seemed  quite  out  of 
place  among  so  many  women,  stood  rubbing  his  head 
in  a  stolid  way. 

"  Quiet,  bairns ! "  shrieked  one  of  the  women,  stamp- 
ing her  foot  fiercely  at  the  group  of  children  who  had 
been  playing  about  after  childhood's  fashion  in  the 
most  dangerous  place  they  could  find. 

Her  voice  was  magical,  for  it  quelled  a  perfect  babel 
of  sobs  and  cries.    And  all  the  while  poor  Mrs.  Gentles 

^  Scarecrow. 
(322)  U 


306  I   TRY. 

was  reaching  out,  so  reckless  of  herself  that  she  was 
where  the  water  reached  her  chin,  and  could  hardly 
keep  her  footing. 

"  Call  thjsen  a  man!"  shouted  the  woman  who  had 
silenced  the  children.  "  Go  in  or  thou'llt  lose  thy  wife 
and  baii'n  too." 

But  Gentles  paid  no  heed  to  the  admonition.  He 
stood  rubbing  his  ear  softly,  though  he  gave  a  satisfied 
grunt  as  he  saw  the  fierce  virago  of  a  woman  who  had 
spoken,  leap  in  after  Mrs.  Gentles,  and  wade  out  so  as 
to  hold  her  left  hand. 

^\  here  had  the  child  tumbled  in  ?  No  one  knew,  for 
the  frightened  little  ones  who  had  spread  the  news, 
running  away  home  as  soon  as  their  playmate  had 
toppled  in  with  a  splash,  were  too  scared  to  remember 
the  exact  spot. 

T  had  not  been  idle  all  this  time,  but  as  the  above 
scene  was  in  progress  I  had  taken  ofif  jacket,  vest,  and 
cap,  handing  them  to  a  woman  to  hold,  and  had  just 
finished  kicking  off"  my  boots  and  socks,  carefully 
watching  the  surface  of  the  water  the  while,  under  the 
impression  that  the  poor  child  would  rise  to  the  surface. 

AH  at  once  I  cauoht  sio;ht  of  somethino-  far  to  the 
right  of  us,  and  evidently  being  taken  by  the  current 
towards  the  sluice  where  the  bis;  wheel  was  in  motion. 

It  might  be  the  child,  or  it  might  only  be  a  piece  of 
paper  floating  there,  but  I  had  no  time  to  investigate 
that,  and,  running  along  the  path  till  I  was  opposite 
the  place,  I  plunged  head  first  in,  rose,  shook  the  water 
from  my  eyes,  and  swam  as  rapidly  as  my  clothes 
would  allow  towards  the  spot. 

The  women  set  up  a  cry  and  the  children  shrieked, 
and  as  I  swam  steadily  on  I  could  hear  away  to  my 
left  the  two  women  come  splashing  and  wading 
through  the  water  till  they  were  opposite  to  where  I 
was  swimming. 

"  Oh,  quick!  quick,  my  lad!"  cried  Mrs.  Gentles;  and 


DIVING.  307 

her  aijonized  voice  sent  a  thrill  through  me  far  more 
than  did  the  shrieking  chorus  of  the  women  as  they 
shouted  words  of  encouragement  to  me  to  proceed. 

I  did  not  need  the  encouragement,  for  I  was  swim- 
ming my  best,  not  making  rapid  strokes,  but,  as  Uncle 
Jack  had  often  shown  me  in  river  and  sea,  taking  a 
long,  slow,  vigorous  stroke,  well  to  the  end,  one  that  is 
more  effective,  and  which  can  be  long  sustained. 

But  though  I  tried  my  best,  I  was  still  some  feet 
from  the  spot  where  I  had  seen  the  floating  object, 
when  it  seemed  to  fade  away,  and  there  was  nothing 
visible  when  I  reached  the  place. 

"There!  there!"  shrieked  Mrs.  Gentles;  "can't  you 
see  him — there?" 

She  could  not  see  any  more  than  I  could,  as  I  raised 
myself  as  high  as  possible,  treading  water,  and  then 
paddling  round  like  a  dog  in  search  of  something 
thrown  in  which  has  sunk. 

The  little  fellow  had  gone,  and  there  was  nothing 
for  it  but  to  dive,  and  as  I  had  often  done  before,  I 
turned  over  and  went  down  into  the  black  water  to 
try  and  find  the  drowning  child. 

I  stayed  down  as  long  as  I  could,  came  up,  and 
looked  round  amidst  a  tremendous  chorus  of  cries,  and 
then  dived  again  like  a  duck. 

Pray,  don't  think  I  was  doing  anything  brave  or 
heroic,  for  it  seemed  to  me  nothing  of  the  kind.  I  had 
been  so  drilled  by  my  uncles  in  leaping  off  banks,  and 
out  of  a  boat,  and  in  diving  after  eggs  thrown  down 
in  the  clear  water,  that,  save  the  being  dressed,  it  was 
a  very  ordinary  task  to  me;  in  fact,  I  believe  I  could 
have  swum  steadily  on  for  an  hour  if  there  had  been 
any  need,  and  gone  on  diving  as  often  as  I  liked. 

So  I  went  under  again  and  again,  with  the  current 
always  taking  me  on  toward  the  sluice,  and  giving  way 
to  it;  for,  of  course,  the  child  w^ould,  I  felt,  be  carried 
that  way  too. 


308  NEARLY   LOST. 

Every  time  I  rose  there  was  the  shrieking  and  cry- 
ing of  the  women  and  the  prayerful  words  of  the  mother 
bidding  me  try;  and  had  not  her  woman  friend  clung 
to  her  arm,  I  believe  she  would  have  struggled  into 
deep  water  and  been  drowned. 

I  caught  glimpses  of  her,  and  of  Gentles  standing  on 
the  bank  rubbing  his  ear  as  I  dived  down  again  in 
quite  a  hopeless  way  now,  and,  stopping  down  a  much 
shorter  time,  I  had  given  a  kick  or  two,  and  was  rising, 
when  my  hands  touched  something  which  glided  away. 

This  encouraged  me,  and  I  just  took  my  breath  above 
water,  heard  the  cries,  and  dived  again,  to  have  the 
water  thundering  in  my  ears. 

For  a  few  moments  I  could  feel  nothing;  then  my 
left  hand  touched  a  bundle  of  clothes,  and  in  another 
moment  I  was  at  the  surface  with  the  child's  head 
above  water,  and  swimming  with  all  my  might  for  the 
side. 

There  was  a  wild  shriek  of  excitement  to  greet  me, 
and  then  there  was  very  nearly  a  terrible  catastrophe 
for  finale  to  the  scene,  for,  as  soon  as  she  saw  that  I 
had  hold  of  her  child,  the  frantic  mother  shook  off  her 
companion,  and  with  a  mingling  of  the  tragic  and 
ludicrous  reached  out  with  the  broom  to  drag  us  both  in. 

Her  excitement  was  too  much  for  her;  she  took  a 
step  forward  to  reach  us,  slij^ped  into  deep  water,  went 
under,  and  the  next  minute  she  had  risen,  snatched  at 
me,  and  we  were  struggling  together. 

I  was  quite  paralysed,  while  the  poor  woman  had 
lost  her  head  completely,  and  was  blind  by  trying  to 
save  herself — holding  on  to  me  with  all  her  might. 

Under  the  circumstances  it  is  no  wonder  that  I  be- 
came helpless  and  confused,  and  that  we  sank  together 
in  the  deep  water  close  now  to  the  dam  head,  and  then 
all  was  black  confusion,  for  my  sensations  were  very 
different  to  what  they  were  when  I  made  my  volun- 
tary dives. 


RESCUE.  309 

It  was  matter  of  moments,  thoue:h,  and  then  a  stroncc 
hand  gripped  me  by  the  arm,  we  were  dragged  to  the 
side,  and  a  dozen  hands  were  ready  to  help  us  out  on 
to  the  bank. 

"  Give  me  the  child,"  said  a  strange  voice.  "  Which 
is  the  house?  Here  —  the  mother  and  one  woman, 
come.     Keep  the  crowd  away." 

In  a  confused  way  I  saw  a  tall  man  in  black  take 
the  child  in  his  arms,  and  I  thought  how  wet  he  would 
make  himself;  while  Mrs.  Gentles,  panting  and  gasp- 
ing for  breath,  seized  me  by  the  hand;  and  then  they 
passed  on  in  the  middle  of  the  crowd,  augmented  by  a 
number  of  workmen,  and  disappeared  into  the  cottage 
I  knew  so  well. 

"What!  was  it  you,  Uncle  Jack?"  I  said,  looking  up 
in  his  grave  big  eyes. 

"Yes,  my  boy;  and  I  only  just  came  in  time.  How 
are  you?" 

"  Horribly  wet,"  I  said  grimly  and  with  a  shiver. 
Then  forcing  a  laugh  as  he  held  my  hands  tightly  in 
his.    "Why,  you're  just  as  bad." 

"Yes,  but  you — are  you  all  right?" 

"Oh,  yes,  uncle!  there's  nothing  the  matter  with 
me." 

"  Then  come  along  and  let's  run  home.  Never  mind 
appearances;  let's  get  into  some  dry  clothes.  But  I 
should  like  to  hear  about  the  child." 

It  was  an  easy  thing  to  say,  but  not  to  do.  We 
wanted  to  go  to  Gentles'  house,  but  we  were  sur- 
rounded by  a  dense  crowd;  and  the  next  minute  a  lot 
of  rough  men  were  shaking  both  Uncle  Jack's  hands 
and  fighting  one  with  the  other  to  get  hold  of  them, 
while  I — 

Just  fancy  being  in  the  middle  of  a  crowd  of  women, 
and  all  of  them  wantino-  to  throw  their  arms  round  me 
and  kiss  me  at  once. 

That  was  my  fate  then;  and  regardless  of  my  resis- 


310  WE   MAKE   FRIENDS. 

tance  one  motherly  body  after  another  seized  me,  kiss- 
ing my  cheeks  roundly,  straining  me  to  her  bosom,  and 
calling  me  her  "brave  lad!"  or  her  "bonny  bairn!"  or 
"  my  mahn!" 

I  had  to  be  kissed  and  hand-shaken  till  I  would 
gladly  have  escaped  for  very  shame;  and  at  last  Uncle 
Jack  rescued  me,  coming  to  my  side  smiling  and  look- 
ing round. 

"  If  he's  thy  bairn,  mester,"  cried  the  virago-like 
woman  who  had  helped  Mrs.  Gentles,  "thou  ought  to 
be  proud  of  him." 

"And  so  I  am,"  cried  Uncle  Jack,  laying  his  hand 
upon  my  shoulder. 

Here  there  was  a  loud  "  hurrah ! "  set  up  by  the  men, 
and  the  women  joined  in  shrilly,  while  a  couple  of  men 
with  big  mugs  elbowed  their  way  towards  us. 

"  Here,  lay  holt,  mester,"  said  one  to  Uncle  Jack ; 
"drink  that— it'll  keep  out  the  cold." 

At  the  same  moment  a  mug  was  forced  into  my 
hand,  and  in  response  to  a  nod  from  Uncle  Jack  I  took 
a  hearty  draught  of  some  strong  mixture  which  I 
believe  was  gin  and  beer. 

"How  is  the  child?"  said  Uncle  Jack. 

"  Doctor  says  he  can't  tell  yet,  but  hopes  he'll  pull 
bairn  through." 

"  Now,  my  lads,"  said  Uncle  Jack,  "  you  don't  want 
us  to  catch  cold?" 

"No.— Hurray!" 

"Nor  you  neither,  my  good  women?" 

"Nay,  God  bless  thee,  no!"  was  chorused. 

"Then  good-bye!  and  if  one  of  you  will  run  down 
to  our  place  and  tell  us  how  the  little  child  is  by  and 
by,  I'll  be  glad." 

"  Nay,  thou'llt  shake  ban's  wi'  me  first,"  said  the  big 
virago-like  woman,  whose  drenched  clothes  clung  to 
her  from  top  to  toe. 

"That  I  will,"  cried  Uncle  Jack,  suiting  the  action 


TREATED   AS   HEROES.  311 

to  the  word  by  holding  out  his;  but  to  his  surprise  the 
woman  laid  her  hands  upon  his  shoulders,  the  tears 
streaming  down  her  cheeks,  and  kissed  him  in  simple 
north-country  fashion. 

"God  bless  thee,  my  mahn!"  she  said  with  a  sob. 
"  Thou  may'st  be  a  Lunnonor,  but  thou'rt  a  true  un, 
and  thou'st  saved  to-day  as  good  a  wife  and  mother  as 
ever  stepped." 

Here  there  was  another  tremendous  cheer;  and  to 
avoid  fresh  demonstrations  I  snatched  my  clothes  from 
the  woman  who  held  them,  and  we  hurried  ofi'  to  get 
back  to  Mrs.  Stephenson's  as  quickly  and  quietly  as  we 
could. 

Quickly!  quietly!  We  were  mad  to  expect  it;  for 
we  had  to  go  home  in  the  midst  of  a  rapidly-increasing 
crowd,  who  kept  up  volley  after  volley  of  cheers,  and 
pressed  to  our  sides  to  shake  hands. 

That  latter  display  of  friendliness  we  escaped  during 
the  finish  of  our  journey;  for  in  spite  of  all  Uncle  Jack 
could  do  to  prevent  it,  big  as  he  was,  they  hoisted 
him  on  the  shoulders  of  a  couple  of  great  furnace- 
men,  a  couple  more  carrying  me,  and  so  we  were  taken 
home. 

I  never  felt  so  much  ashamed  in  iny  life,  but  there 
was  nothing  for  it  but  to  be  patient;  and,  like  most  of 
such  scenes,  it  came  to  an  end  by  our  reaching  Mrs. 
Stephenson's  and  nearly  frightening  her  to  death. 

"  Bless  my  heart!"  she  cried,  "I  thought  there'd  been 
some  accident,  and  you  was  both  brought  home  half 
killed.  Just  hark  at  'em!  The  street's  full,  and  the 
carts  can  hardly  get  by." 

"And  so  it  was;  for  whenever,  as  I  towelled  myself 
into  a  glow,  I  peeped  round  the  blind,  there  was  the 
great  crowd  shouting  and  hurrahing  with  all  their 
might. 

For  the  greater  part  they  were  workmen  and  boys, 
all  in  their  shirt-sleeves  and  without  caps;  but  there 


312  TUE  BRASS   BAND. 

was  a  large  sprinkling  of  big  motherly  women  there; 
and  the  more  I  looked  the  more  abashed  I  felt,  for 
first  one  and  then  another  seemed  to  be  telling  the 
story  to  a  listening  knot,  as  I  could  see  by  the  motion 
of  her  hands  imitatinsf  swimmingf. 

Two  hours  after  we  were  cheered  by  the  news  that 
my  efforts  had  not  been  in  vain,  for  after  a  long  fight 
the  doctor  had  brought  the  child  to;  and  that  night, 
when  we  thought  all  the  fuss  was  over,  there  came  six 
great  booms  from  a  big  drum,  and  a  powerful  brass 
band  struck  up,  "See,  the  Conquering  Hero  comes!" 
Then  the  mob  that  had  gathered  cheered  and  shouted 
till  we  went  to  the  window  and  thanked  them;  and 
then  they  cheered  again,  growing  quite  mad  with  ex- 
citement as  a  big  strapping  woman,  in  a  black  silk 
bonnet  and  a  scarlet  shawl,  came  up  to  the  door  and 
was  admitted  and  brought  into  the  parlour. 

I  was  horrified,  for  it  was  big  Mrs.  Gentles,  and  I 
had  a  dread  of  another  scene. 

I  need  not  have  been  alarmed,  for  there  was  a  sweet 
natural  quietness  in  the  woman  that  surprised  us  all, 
as  she  said  with  the  tears  running  down  her  cheeks: 

"  I'm  only  a  poor  common  sort  of  woman,  gentlemen, 
but  I  think  a  deal  o'  my  bairns,  and  I've  come  to  say 
I'll  never  forget  a  prayer  for  the  bonny  boy  who  saved 
my  little  laddie,  nor  for  the  true  brave  gentleman  who 
saved  me  to  keep  them  still." 

Uncle  Jack  shook  hands  with  her,  insisting  upon  her 
having  a  glass  of  wine,  but  she  would  not  sit  down, 
and  after  she  had  drunk  her  wine  she  turned  to  me. 

I  put  out  my  hand,  but  she  threw  her  arms  round 
my  neck,  kissed  me  quickly  on  each  cheek,  and  ran 
sobbing  out  of  the  room,  and  nearly  oversetting  Mr. 
Tomplin,  who  was  coming  up. 

"  Hallo,  my  hero!  "  he  cried,  shaking  hands  with  me. 

"  Please,  please  don't,  Mr.  Tomplin,"  I  cried.  "  I  feel 
as  if  I'd  never  do  such  a  thin^j  attain  as  loner  as  I  live." 


A  GENTLE  VISITOR.  313 

"  Don't  say  that,  my  boy,"  he  cried.  "  Say  it  if  you 
like,  though.  You  don't  mean  it.  I  say,  though,  you 
folks  have  done  it  now." 

We  had  done  more  than  we  thought,  for  the  next 
morning  when  we  walked  down  to  the  office  and  Uncle 
Jack  was  saying  that  we  must  not  be  done  out  of 
our  holiday,  who  should  be  waiting  at  the  gate  but 
Gentles, 

"Ugh!"  said  Uncle  Jack;  "there's  that  scoundrel. 
I  hate  that  man.  I  wish  it  had  been  someone  else's 
child  you  had  saved,  Cob.  Well,  my  man,"  he  cried 
roughly,  "  what  is  it  ? " 

Gentles  had  taken  off  his  cap,  a  piece  of  politeness 
very  rare  among  his  set,  and  he  looked  down  on  the 
ground  for  a  minute  or  two,  and  then  ended  a  painful 
silence  by  saying: 

"  I've  been  a  reg'lar  bad  un  to  you  and  yours,  mester; 
but  it  was  the  traade  as  made  me  do  it." 

"  Well,  that's  all  over  now,  Gentles,  and  you've  come 
to  apologize?" 

"  Yes,  mester,  that's  it.  I'm  down  sorry,  I  am,  and 
if  you'll  tek  me  on  again  I'll  sarve  you  like  a  man — 
ay,  and  I'll  f eight  for  thee  like  a  man  agen  the  traade." 

"  Are  you  out  of  work  ? " 

"  Nay,  mester,  I  can  always  get  plenty  if  I  like  to 
wuck." 

"  Do  you  mean  what  you  say,  Gentles  ? " 

"Why,  mester,  wouldn't  I  hev  been  going  to  club 
to-day  for  money  to  bury  a  bairn  and  best  wife  a  man 
ivver  hed  if  it  hadn't  been  for  you  two.  Mester,  I'd 
do  owt  for  you  now." 

"  1  believe  you.  Gentles,"  said  Uncle  Jack  in  his  firm 
way.     "  Go  back  to  your  stone." 

Gentles  smiled  all  over  his  face,  and  ran  in  before 
us  whistling  loudly  with  his  fingers,  and  the  men  all 
turned  out  and  cheered  us  over  and  over  again,  look- 
ing  as  delighted  as  so  many  boys. 


314  MRS.  gentles'  boys. 

"Mr.  Tomplin's  right,"  said  Uncle  Dick;  "we've 
done  it  at  last." 

"No,  not  yet,"  said  Uncle  Jack;  "we've  won  the 
men  to  our  side  and  all  who  know  us  will  take  our 
part,  but  there  is  that  ugly  demon  to  exorcise  yet  that 
they  call  the  traiide." 

That  night  I  was  going  back  alone  when  my  heart 
gave  a  sort  of  leap,  for  just  before  me,  and  apparently 
waylaying  me,  were  two  of  the  boys  who  had  been 
foremost  in  hunting  me  that  day.  My  temper  rose 
and  my  cheeks  flushed;  but  they  had  come  upon  no 
inimical  errand,  for  they  both  laughed  in  a  tone  that 
bespoke  them  the  sons  of  Gentles,  and  the  bigger  one 
spoke  in  a  bashful  sort  of  way. 

"  Moother  said  we  was  to  come  and  ax  your  pardon, 
mester.  It  were  on'y  meant  for  a  game,  and  she 
leathered  us  both  for  it." 

"  And  Avill  you  hev  this  ? "  said  the  other,  holding 
out  something  in  a  piece  of  brown  paper. 

"  I  sha'n't  take  any  more  notice  of  it,"  I  said  quietly; 
"  but  I  don't  want  any  present." 

"  There,  moother  said  he'd  be  over  proud  to  tak  it," 
said  the  younger  lad  resentfully  to  his  brother. 

"No,  1  am  not  too  proud,"  I  said;  "give  it  to  me. 
What  is  it?" 

"  Best  knife  they  maks  at  our  wucks,"  said  the  boy 
eagerly.  "  It's  rare  stoof.  I  say,  we're  going  to  learn 
to  swim  like  thou." 

They  both  nodded  and  went  away,  leaving  me  think- 
ing-  that  I  was  after  this  to  be  friends  with  the  Arrow- 
field  Ijoys  as  well  as  the  men. 

They  need  not  have  put  it  in  the  newspaper,  but 
there  it  was,  a  long  account  headed  "  Gallant  rescue  by 
a  boy."  It  was  dressed  up  in  a  way  that  made  my 
cheeks  tingle,  and  a  few  days  later  the  tears  came  into 
ray  eyes  as  I  read  a  letter  from  my  mother  telling  me 
she  had  read  in  the  newspaper  what  I  had  done,  and — 


THE  CHAPS  fro'  lunnon.  315 

There,  I  will  not  set  that  down.  It  was  what  my 
mother  said,  and  every  British  boy  knows  what  his 
mother  would  say  of  an  accident  like  that. 

It  was  wonderful  how  the  works  progressed  after 
this,  and  how  differently  the  men  met  us.  It  was  not 
only  our  own,  but  the  men  at  all  the  works  about  us. 
Instead  of  a  scowl  or  a  stare  there  was  a  nod,  and  a 
gruff  "  good  morning."  In  fact,  we  seemed  to  have 
lived  down  the  prejudice  against  the  "chaps  fro'  Lun- 
non, and  their  contrapshions;"  but  my  uncles  knew 
only  too  well  that  they  had  not  mastered  the  invisible 
enemy  called  the  trade. 


""^^ 


IT" 


•f 


CHAPTER    XXV. 

A   TERRIBLE   RISK. 

HAT  are  you  staring  at,  Cob  ? " 

It    was   Uncle   Jack    who   spoke,   and 
Uncle  Dick  had  just  come  up  with  him, 
to  find  me  in  the  yard,  looking  up  at  the 
building. 

It  was  dinner  hour,  and  all  the  men  had  gone  but 
Pannell,  who  was  sitting  on  a  piece  of  iron  out  in  the 
yard  calmly  cutting  his  bread  and  meat  into  squares 
and  then  masticating  them  as  if  it  were  so  much  tilt- 
hammer  work  that  he  had  to  do  by  the  piece. 

"  I  was  thinking,  Uncle,  suppose  they  were  to  set 
fire  to  us  some  night,  what  should  we  do? " 

"Hah!  yes:  not  a  bad  thought,"  said  Uncle  Dick 
sharply.     "  Pannell ! " 

"  Hillo!  "  said  that  gentleman,  rising  slowly. 

"  Finish  eating  your  bread  and  meat  as  you  go,  will 
you,  and  buy  us  twenty-four  buckets." 

"  Fower-and-twenty  boockets,"  said  Pannell,  speak- 
ing with  his  mouth  full.  "  What  do  yow  want  wi' 
fower-and-twenty  boockets? " 

"  I'll  show  you  this  evening,"  replied  my  uncle;  and, 
handing  the  man  a  couple  of  sovereigns,  Pannell  went 
off,  and  both  Uncle  Jack  and  I  laughed  at  the  quick 
way  in  which  Uncle  Dick  had  determined  to  be  pro- 
vided for  an  emergency. 


FIRE   DRILL.  317 

The  buckets  came,  and  were  run  by  their  handles 
upon  a  pole  which  was  supported  upon  two  great  hooks 
in  one  of  the  outhouses  against  the  wall  of  the  yard, 
and  some  of  the  men  noticed  them,  but  the  greater 
part  seemed  to  pay  not  the  slightest  heed  to  this  addi- 
tion to  our  defences. 

But  at  leaving  time,  after  a  few  words  from  Uncle 
Dick  to  Uncle  Jack,  the  latter  stood  in  the  yard  as  the 
men  came  out,  and  said  sharply: 

"  Four-and-twenty  men  for  a  window  wash.  Who'll 
help?" 

A  few  months  before,  such  a  demand  would  have 
been  met  with  a  scowl;  but  quite  a  little  crowd  of  the 
men  now  stopped,  and  Pannell  said  with  a  grin: 

"Wonder  whether  there'll  be  a  boocket  o'  beer 
efter?" 

"Why,  of  course  there  will,  my  lad,"  cried  Uncle 
Jack,  who  ranged  the  men  in  order. 

Why,  'tis  like  being  drilled  for  milishy,  mester," 
said  one  man,  and  there  was  a  roar  of  laughter 
as  the  buckets  were  passed  out  of  the  shed,  and 
the  men  were  placed  in  two  rows,  with  Uncle  Jack 
at  one  end.  Uncle  Dick  at  the  other;  the  two  ends 
resting,  as  a  soldier  would  say,  on  the  dam,  and  on 
the  works. 

It  was  wonderful  how  a  little  management  and 
discipline  made  easy  such  a  business  as  this,  and  I 
could  not  help  smiling  as  I  saw  how  my  idea  had 
been  acted  upon. 

There  were  a  few  sharp  words  of  command  given, 
and  then  Uncle  Jack  dipped  his  bucket  into  the  dam 
from  the  stone  edge  where  we  had  bathed  poor  Piter, 
filled  it,  passed  it  on  to  No.  1  of  the  first  row,  and 
took  a  bucket  from  the  last  man  of  the  second  row,  to 
fill.  Meanwhile  the  first  bucket  was  being  passed 
on  from  hand  to  hand  through  a  dozen  pairs  when  it 
reached  Uncle  Dick,  who  seized  it,  hurled  it  up  against 


318  IS   IT   PEACE? 

the  grimy  windows  of  the  works,  and  then  passed  it  to 
the  lirst  man  of  the  second  row. 

In  a  minute  or  two  the  men  were  working  like  a 
great  machine,  the  pails  being  dipped  and  running, 
or  rather  being  swung,  from  hand  to  hand  till  they 
reached  Uncle  Dick,  who  dashed  the  water  over  the 
windows,  and  here  and  there,  while  the  empty  buckets 
ran  back  to  Uncle  Jack. 

The  men  thoroughly  enjoyed  it,  and  Pannell  shouted 
that  this  would  be  the  way  to  put  out  a  fire.  But  my 
uncles  did  not  take  up  the  idea,  working  steadily  on, 
and  shifting  the  line  till  the  whole  of  the  glazed  win- 
dows had  been  sluiced,  and  a  lot  of  the  grit  and  rubbish 
washed  away  from  the  sills  and  places,  after  which  the 
buckets  were  again  slung  in  a  row  and  the  men  had 
their  beer,  said  "Good-night!"  quite  cheerily,  and  went 
away. 

"There,"  said  Uncle  Dick,  "I  call  that  business. 
How  well  the  lads  worked!" 

"Yes,"  said  Uncle  Jack  with  a  sigh  of  content  as  he 
wiped  his  streaming  brow;  "we  could  not  have  got  on 
with  them  like  that  three  months  ago." 

"No,"  said  Uncle  Bob,  who  had  been  looking  on 
with  me,  and  keeping  dry;  "the  medicine  is  working 
faster  and  faster;  they  are  beginning  to  find  us  out." 

"Yes,"  said  Uncle  Dick.  "I  think  we  may  say  it  is 
peace  now." 

"  Don't  be  in  too  great  a  hurry,  my  boys,"  said  Uncle 
Jack.     "There  is  a  good  deal  more  to  do  yet." 

It  is  one  of  the  terrible  misfortunes  of  a  town  like 
Arrowfield  that  accidents  among  the  work-people  are 
so  common.  There  was  an  excellent  hospital  there,  and 
it  was  too  often  called  into  use  by  some  horror  or 
another. 

It  would  be  a  terrible  tale  to  tell  of  the  mishaps  that 
we  heard  of   from   week  to  week:   men   burned  by 


A  HORROR.  319 

hot  twining  rods;  by  the  falling  o^  masses  of  iron  or 
steel  that  were  being  forged;  by  blows  of  hannners; 
and  above  all  in  the  casting-shops,  when  glowing  fluid 
metal  was  poured  into  some  mould  which  had  not 
been  examined  to  see  whether  it  was  free  from  water. 

Do  you  know  what  happens  then?  Some  perhaps 
do  not.  The  fluid  metal  runs  into  the  mould,  and 
in  an  instant  the  water  is  turned  into  steam,  by  whose 
mighty  power  the  metal  is  sent  flying  like  a  shower, 
the  mould  rent  to  pieces,  and  all  who  are  within  range 
are  horribly  burned. 

That  steam  is  a  wonderful  slave,  but  what  a  master! 
It  is  kept  bound  in  strong  fetters  by  those  who  force 
its  obedience;  but  woe  to  those  who  give  it  the  oppor- 
tunity to  escape  by  some  neglect  of  the  proper  pre- 
cautions. 

One  accident  occurred  at  Arrowfield  during  the  win- 
ter which  seemed  to  give  the  final  touch  to  my  uncles' 
increasing  popularity  with  the  work-people,  and  we 
should  have  had  peace,  if  it  had  not  been  for  the  act 
of  a  few  malicious  wretches  that  took  place  a  month 
or  too  later. 

It  was  one  evening  when  we  had  left  the  works 
early  with  the  intention  of  having  a  good  long  fireside 
evening,  and  perhaps  a  walk  out  in  the  frosty  winter 
night  after  supper,  that  as  we  were  going  down  one  of 
the  busy  lanes  with  its  works  on  either  side,  we  were 
suddenly  arrested  by  a  deafening  report  followed  by 
the  noise  of  falling  beams  and  brickwork. 

As  far  as  we  could  judge  it  was  not  many  hundred 
yards  away,  and  it  seemed  to  be  succeeded  by  a  ter- 
rible silence. 

Then  there  was  the  rushing  of  feet,  the  shouting  of 
men,  and  a  peculiar  odour  smote  upon  our  nostrils. 

"Gunpowder!"  I  exclaimed  as  I  thought  of  our 
escapes. 

"No,"  said  Uncle  Dick.     "Steam." 


320  THE   RIVEN   BOILER. 

"Yes,"  said  Umle  Jack.  "Some  great  boiler  has 
burst.     Heaven  help  the  poor  men!" 

Following  the  stream  of  people  we  were  not  long  in 
reaching  the  gateway  of  one  of  the  greatest  works  in 
Arrow^held.  Everything  was  in  such  a  state  of  con- 
fusion that  our  entrance  was  not  opposed;  and  in  a 
few  minutes  we  saw  by  the  light  of  tlaring  gas-jets, 
and  of  a  fire  that  had  begun  to  blaze,  one  of  the  most 
terrible  scenes  of  disaster  I  had  ever  witnessed. 

The  explosion  had  taken  place  in  the  huge  boiler- 
house  of  the  great  iron-works,  a  wall  had  been  hurled 
down,  part  of  the  iron-beamed  roof  was  hanging,  one 
great  barrel- shaped  boiler  had  been  blown  yards  away 
as  if  it  had  been  a  straw,  and  its  fellow,  about  twenty 
feet  long,  was  ripped  open  and  torn  at  the  rivets,  just 
as  if  the  huge  plates  of  iron  of  which  it  was  composed 
were  so  many  postage -stamps  torn  off  and  roughly 
crumpled  in  the  hand. 

There  was  a  great  crowd  collecting,  and  voices  shouted 
warninif  to  beware  of  the  fallino-  roof  and  walls  that 
were  in  a  crumbling  condition.  But  these  shouts  were 
very  little  heeded  in  the  presence  of  the  cries  and 
moans  tliat  could  be  heard  amongst  the  piled-up  brick- 
work. Injured  men  were  there,  and  my  uncles  were 
among  tlie  first  to  rush  in  and  befijin  bearing  them  out 
— poor  creatures  horribly  scalded  and  crushed. 

Then  there  was  a  cry  for  picks  and  shovels — some 
one  was  buried;  and  on  these  being  brought  the  men 
plied  them  bravely  till  there  was  a  warning  shout,  and 
the  rescue  party  had  only  just  time  to  save  themselves 
from  a  falling  wall  which  toppled  over  with  a  tremen- 
dous crash,  and  sent  up  a  cloud  of  dust. 

The  men  rushed  in  again,  though,  and  in  an  in- 
credibly short  space  of  time  they  had  dug  and  torn 
away  a  heap  of  broken  rubbish,  beneath  which  moans 
could  be  heard. 

I  stood  close  beside  my  uncles,  as,  blackened  and 


MORE   VOLUNTEEllS.  321 

covered  with  dust  and  sweat,  they  toiled  away,  Uncle 
Jack  being  the  first  to  chase  away  the  horrible  feeling 
of  fear  that  was  upon  me  lest  they  should  be  too  late. 

"  Here  he  is,"  he  cried ;  and  in  a  few  minutes  more, 
standing  right  down  in  a  hole,  he  lifted  the  poor 
maimed  creature  who  had  been  crying  for  our  help. 

There  was  a  tremendous  cheer  raised  here,  and  the 
poor  fellow  was  carried  out,  while  Uncle  Dick,  who, 
somehow,  seemed  to  be  taking  the  lead,  held  up  his 
hand. 

"Hark!"  he  said. 

But  there  was  no  sound. 

"  If  there  is  no  living  creature  here,"  he  said,  "  we 
must  get  out.  It  is  not  safe  to  work  till  the  roof  has 
been  blown  down  or  fallen.  If  there  is  anyone  alive, 
my  lads,  we  must  have  him  out  at  all  risks." 

There  was  a  cheer  at  this,  and  then,  as  soon  as  he 
could  get  silence.  Uncle  Jack  shouted: 

"Is  anyone  here?" 

There  was  a  low  wailing  cry  for  help  far  back  beyond 
the  ripped-up  boiler,  and  in  what,  with  tottering  wall 
and  hanging  roof,  was  a  place  too  dangerous  to  ap- 
proach. 

"  Come,  lads,  we  must  have  him  out,"  cried  Uncle 
Dick;  but  a  gentleman,  who  was  evidently  one  of  the 
managers,  exclaimed: 

"  No,  it  is  too  dangerous." 

"Volunteers!"  cried  Uncle  Dick. 

Uncle  Jack,  Uncle  Bob,  Pannell,  Stevens,  and  four 
more  men  went  to  his  side,  and  in  the  midst  of  a 
deathly  silence  we  saw  them  go  softly  in  and  disappear 
in  the  gloom  of  the  great  wrecked  boiler-house. 

Then  there  was  utter  silence,  out  of  which  Uncle 
Dick's  voice  came  loud  and  clear,  but  ominously  fol- 
lowed by  the  rattling  down  of  some  fragments  of 
brick. 

"  Where  are  you  ?     Tiy  and  speak." 

(322)  X 


322  A   FEARFUL   RISK. 

A  low  piteous  moan  was  the  reply. 

"All  right,  my  lads,  down  here!"  we  heard  Uncle 
.lack  cry.     "  No  picks — hands,  hands." 

"  And  work  gently,"  cried  Uncle  Dick. 

Then,  in  the  midst  of  the  gloom  we  could  hear  the 
rattlini;'  of  bricks  and  stones,  and  though  we  could  see 
nothing;  we  could  realize  that  these  brave  men  were 
digging  down  with  their  hands  to  try  and  get  out  the 
buried  stoker. 

The  flames  burned  up  brightly,  casting  curious 
shadows,  and  though  we  could  see  nothing,  lighting 
the  men  over  their  gallant  task,  while  I,  as  I  gazed  in, 
trying  to  penetrate  the  gloom,  felt  as  if  I  ought  to  be 
there  by  my  uncles'  side. 

This  feeling  grew  so  strong  that  at  last  I  took  a  few 
steps  forward,  but  only  to  be  seized  by  a  pair  of  strong 
arms  and  brought  back. 

"  Nay,  nay,  lad,"  said  a  voice  that  I  started  to  hear, 
for  it  was  Gentles';  "there's  plenty  risking  their  lives 
theer.     Yow  stay." 

Just  then  there  was  a  hoarse  shriek  of  terror,  a  wild 
yell  from  the  crowd,  for  a  curious  rushing  rumble  was 
heard,  a  dull  thud,  and  another  cloud  of  dust  came 
rolling  out,  looking  like  smoke  as  it  mingled  with  the 
fire. 

In  the  midst  of  this  the  men  who  had  been  digging 
in  the  ruins  came  rushinoc  out. 

"Part  of  the  roof,"  cried  Uncle  Dick,  panting,  "and 
the  rest's  falling.     Are  you  all  here,  lads?" 

"Ay,  all,"  was  answered  as  they  looked  from  one  to 
the  other  in  the  flickering  light. 

"  Nay,  not  all,"  shouted  Stevens.  "  Owd  lad  Pannell's 
buried  alive.     I  see  'un  fall." 

There  was  a  murmur  of  horror  and  a  burst  of  wail- 
ing, for  now  a  number  of  women  had  joined  the 
throntx. 

"Are  you  hurt?"  I  cried  anxiously. 


FOR   THE   SAKE   OF   THE   INJURED.  323 

"  Only  a  few  cuts  and  bruises,  Cob,"  said  Uncle 
Dick.  "  Now,  my  lads,  quick.  We  must  have  them 
out." 

The  men  stopped  short,  and  there  was  a  low  angry 
murmur  like  the  muttering  of  a  coming  storm. 

"Quick,  my  lads,  quick!" 

There  was  a  hoarse  cry  for  help  from  out  of  the 
ruins,  and  I  knew  it  must  be  our  poor  smith. 

"  No,  sir,  stop,"  cried  the  gentleman  who  had  before 
spoken.  "  I'd  dare  anything,  but  we  have  sacrificed 
one  life  in  trying  to  save  others.  I  have  just  been 
round,  and  I  say  that  at  the  least  movement  of  the 
ruins  the  left  wall  must  come  down." 

There  was  a  loud  cry  of  assent  to  this,  and  amongst 
shouts  and  a  confused  murmur  of  voices  there  came 
out  of  the  gloom  that  fearful  cry  again: 

"Help!" 

"  The  wall  must  fall,  men,"  cried  Uncle  Dick  loudly. 
"  I  can't  stand  and  hear  that  cry  and  not  go.  Once 
more  volunteers." 

Half  a  dozen  men  started  out  of  the  crowd;  but  the 
peril  was  too  great.  They  shrank  back,  and  I  saw 
my  three  uncles  standing  together  in  the  bright  light 
of  the  burning  building,  blackened,  bleeding,  and  in 
rags. 

Then  Uncle  Dick  put  out  his  two  hands,  and 
Uncle  Jack  and  Uncle  Bob  took  them.  They  stood 
together  for  a  short  minute,  and  then  went  towards 
the  tottering  wall. 

"Stop!"  cried  the  gentleman.  "You  must  not  risk 
your  lives." 

For  answer  Uncle  Jack  turned  his  great  manly  face 
towards  us  and  waved  his  hand. 

Then  tliey  disappeared  in  the  gloom,  and  a  curious 
murmur  ran  along  the  great  crowd.  It  was  neither 
sigh,  groan,  nor  cry,  but  a  low  hushed  murmur  of  all 
these;  and  once  more,  as  a  dead  silence  fell,  we  heard 


324  PANNELL   IS   SAVED. 

that  piteous  cry,  followed  by  a  hoarse  cheer,  as  if  the 
sufferer  had  seen  help  come. 

Then,  as  we  listened  in  dead  silence,  the  rattling  of 
brickwork  came  again,  mingled  with  the  fluttering  of 
the  flames  and  the  crackle  and  roar  of  burning  as  the 
fire  leaped  up  higher  and  higher  from  what  had  been 
one  of  the  furnace-holes,  and  across  which  a  number  of 
rafters  and  beams  had  fallen,  and  were  blazing  brightly, 
to  light  up  the  horrible  scene  of  ruin. 

Rattle  and  crash  of  bricks  and  beams,  and  we  all 
knew  that  my  uncles  must  be  working  like  giants. 

"  1  daren't  go,  Mester  Jacob,"  whispered  Gentles. 
"  I'd  do  owt  for  the  brave  lads,  but  it's  death  to  go. 
It's  death,  and  I  daren't." 

All  at  once,  as  everyone  was  listening  for  the  fall  of 
the  tottering  wall,  some  one  caught  sight  of  the  moving 
figures,  and  a  deafening  cheer  rose  up  as  Uncle  Dick 
appeared  carrying  the  legs  and  Uncles  Jack  and  Bob 
the  arms  of  a  man. 

They  came  towards  where  I  was  standing,  so  that  I 
w^as  by  when  poor  Pannell  was  laid  down,  and  I  went 
on  one  knee  by  his  side. 

"Much  hurt?"  I  panted. 

"  Nay,  more  scared  than  hurt,  lad,"  he  said.  "  I  was 
buried  up  to  my  neck,  and  feeling's  gone  out  of  my 
legs." 

"Stop  now,  gentlemen,  for  heaven's  sake!"  cried  the 
manager. 

"What!  and  leave  a  poor  fellow  we  have  promised 
to  come  back  and  help!"  cried  Uncle  Dick  with  a  laugh. 

"  But  it  is  certain  death  to  go  in,  gentlemen,"  cried 
the  manager  passionately.  "At  the  least  vibration  the 
roof  will  fall.  I  should  feel  answerable  for  your  lives. 
I  tell  you  it  is  death  to  go." 

"  It  is  moral  death  to  stay  away,"  cried  Uncle  Dick. 
"What  would  you  do,  Cob?" 

"Go!"  I  cried  proudly,  and  then  I  started  up  panting, 


A   NOISE   LIKE   THUNDER.  325 

almost  sobbing,  to  try  and  stop  them.  "No,  no,"  I 
cried;  "  the  danger  is  too  great." 

I  saw  them  wave  their  hands  in  answer  to  the  cheer 
that  rose,  and  I  saw  Pannell  wave  his  with  a  hoarse 
"Hooroar!"  and  then  the  gloom  had  swallowed  them 
up  again. 

"  I  lay  close  to  the  poor  lad,"  whispered  Pannell. 
"  Reg'lar  buried  alive.  Asked  me  to  kill  him  out  of 
his  misery,  he  did,  as  I  lay  there ;  but  I  said,  '  Howd 
on,  my  lad.  Them  three  mesters  '11  fetch  us  out;'  and 
so  they  will." 

"If  the  roof  don't  fall,"  said  a  low  voice  close  by 
me,  and  the  same  voice  said,  "  Lift  this  poor  fellow  up 
and  take  him  to  the  infirmary." 

"  Nay,  I  wcant  go,"  cried  Pannell,  "  aw  want  to  stay 
here  and  see  them  mesters  come  out." 

"  Let  him  rest,"  said  the  manager,  and  upon  his  ask- 
ing me  I  raised  Pannell's  head,  and  let  him  rest  against 
my  chest. 

Then  amidst  the  painful  silence,  and  the  fluttering 
and  crackling  of  the  fire,  we  heard  again  the  rattling 
of  bricks  and  stones;  but  it  was  mingled  with  the  fall- 
ing of  pieces  from  the  roof.  Then  there  was  a  crash 
and  a  shriek  from  the  women  as  a  cloud  of  dust  rose, 
and  my  heart  seemed  to  stand  still,  for  I  felt  that  my 
uncles  must  have  been  buried;  but  no,  the  sound  of  the 
bricks  and  stones  being  dragged  out  still  went  on,  and 
the  men  gave  another  cheer. 

The  manajrer  went  round  again  to  the  back  of  the 
place,  and  came  tearing  back  with  three  or  four  men 
shouting  loudly: 

"Come  out!     Come  out!     She's  going!" 

Then  there  was  a  horrible  cry,  for  with  a  noise  like 
thunder  the  left  side  and  part  of  the  roof  of  the  build- 
ing fell. 

The  dust  was  tremendous,  and  it  was  some  minutes 
before  the  crowd  could  rush  in  armed  with  shovels 


326  ANOTHER  THREAT. 

and  picks  to  dig  out  the  bodies  of  the  brave  men 
buried. 

The  murmur  was  like  that  of  the  sea,  for  every  man 
seemed  to  be  talking  excitedly,  and  as  I  knelt  there 
by  Pannell  I  held  the  poor  fellow's  hand,  clinging  to 
him  now,  and  too  much  shocked  and  unnerved  to 
speak. 

"  They're  killed — they're  killed,"  I  groaned. 

But  as  I  spoke  the  words  the  people  seemed  to  have 
gone  mad;  they  burst  into  such  a  tremendous  cheer, 
backing  away  from  the  ruins,  and  dividing  as  they 
reached  us  to  make  way  for  my  uncles  to  bear  to  the 
side  of  Pannell  the  insensible  ligure  of  the  man  they 
had  saved. 

That  brave  act  performed  for  an  utter  stranger  made 
the  Arrowfield  men  talk  of  my  uncles  afterwards  as 
being  of  what  they  called  real  grit;  and  all  through 
the  winter  and  during  the  cold  spring  months  every- 
thing prospered  wonderfully  at  the  works.  We  could 
have  had  any  number  of  men,  and  for  some  time  it 
was  dangerous  for  my  uncles — and  let  me  modestly 
say  I  seemed  to  share  their  glory — to  go  anywhere 
near  a  gathering  of  the  workmen,  they  were  so  cheered 
and  hero-worshipped. 

But  in  spite  of  this  good  feeling  there  was  no  con- 
cealing the  fact  that  a  kind  of  ill-will  was  fostered 
af^ainst  our  works  on  account  of  the  new  inventions 
and  contrivances  we  had.  From  whence  this  ill-will 
originated  it  was  impossible  to  say,  but  there  it  was 
like  a  smouldering  fire,  ready  to  break  forth  when  the 
time  should  come. 

"  Another  threatening  letter,"  Uncle  Jack  would  say, 
for  he  generally  attended  to  post  matters. 

"  Give  it  to  me,"  said  Uncle  Bob.  "  Those  letters 
make  the  best  pipe-lights,  they  are  so  incendiary." 

"  Shall  we  take  any  notice — appeal  to  the  men — 
advertise  a  reward  for  the  sender?" 


cowards'  work.  327 

"  No,"  said  Uncle  Dick.  "  With  patience  we  have 
got  the  majority  of  the  workmen  with  us.  We'll 
show  them  we  trust  to  them  for  our  defence.  Give 
me  that  letter." 

Uncle  Jack  passed  the  insulting  threat,  and  Uncle 
Dick  gummed  it  and  stuck  it  on  a  sheet  of  foolscap, 
and  taking  four  wafers,  moistened  them  and  stuck  the 
foolscap  on  the  office  door  with,  written  above  it  to 
order  by  me  in  a  bold  text  hand: 

"Cowards  Work." 
and  beneath  it: 

"To  he  Treated  with  the  Contempt 
it  Deserves." 

But  as  time  went  on  the  threats  received  about  what 
would  be  done  if  such  and  such  processes  were  not 
given  up  grew  so  serious  that  when  Mr.  Tomplin  was 
told  he  said  that  we  ought  to  put  ourselves  under  the 
care  of  the  police. 

"No,"  said  Uncle  Dick  firmly;  "we  began  on  the 
principle  of  being  just  to  our  workmen,  and  of  showing 
them  that  we  studied  their  interests  as  well  as  our  own, 
that  we  are  their  friends  as  well  as  masters,  and  that 
we  want  them  to  be  our  friends." 

"But  they  will  not  be,"  said  Mr.  Tomplin,  shaking 
his  head. 

"  But  they  are,"  said  Uncle  Dick.  "  What  took  place 
when  I  stuck  that  last  threat  on  the  door?" 

"  The  men  hooted  and  yelled  and  spat  upon  it." 

"But  was  that  an  honest  demonstration?" 

"  I  believe  it  was." 

"Well,"  said  Mr.  Tomplin,  "we  shall  see.  You 
gentlemen  quite  upset  my  calculations,  but  I  must 
congratulate  you  upon  the  manner  in  which  you  have 
made  your  way  with  the  men." 


328  TO   SEE   THE   SENTRY. 

"I  wish  we  could  get  hold  of  the  scoundrels  who 
send  these  letters." 

"  Yes,"  said  Mr.  Tomplin;  "the  wire-pullers  who  make 
use  of  the  men  for  their  own  ends,  and  will  not  let  the 
poor  fellows  be  frank  and  honest  when  they  would. 
They're  a  tine  race  of  fellows  if  they  are  led  right,  but 
too  often  they  are  led  wrong." 

The  days  glided  on,  and  as  there  were  no  results 
from  these  threats  we  began  to  laugh  at  them  when 
they  came,  especially  as  Tom  Searby  the  watchman  also 
said  they  were  good  for  pipe-lights,  and  that  was  all. 

But  one  night  Uncle  Dick  took  it  into  his  head  to 
go  down  to  the  works  and  see  that  all  was  right. 

Nothing  of  the  kind  had  been  done  before  since  the 
watchman  came,  for  everything  went  on  all  right;  the 
place  was  as  it  should  be,  no  bands  were  touched,  and 
there  seemed  to  be  no  reason  for  showing  any  doubt 
of  the  man;  and  so  Uncle  Jack  said  when  Uncle  Dick 
talked  of  going. 

"No,  there  is  no  reason,"  said  Uncle  Dick;  "but  I 
cannot  help  feeling  that  we  have  been  lulling  ourselves 
too  much  into  a  feeling  of  security  about  the  place.  I 
shall  wait  till  about  one  o'clock,  and  then  walk 
down." 

"No,  no,"  said  Uncle  Jack;  "I'm  tired.  Had  a  very 
heavy  day,  and  of  course  you  cannot  go  alone." 

"Why  not?" 

"  Because  we  should  not  let  you.  Even  Cob  would 
insist  upon  going." 

"Of  course!"  I  said.     "I  had  made  up  my  mind  to 


go." 


It's  quite  right,"  said  Uncle  Bob.  "  We've  been 
remiss.  When  sentries  are  set  the  superior  officers 
always  make  a  point  of  going  their  rounds  to  see  if 
they  are  all  I'ight.  Go,  Dick,  and  we'll  come  with 
you." 


I   HEAR    WHISPERING.  329 

Uncle  Dick  protested,  but  we  had  our  own  way,  and 
about  a  quarter  to  one  on  a  bitter  March  night  we  let 
ourselves  out  and  walked  down  to  the  works. 

For  my  part  I  would  far  rather  have  gone  to  bed, 
but  after  a  few  minutes  the  excitement  of  the  pro- 
ceeding began  to  assert  itself,  and  I  was  bright  and 
wakeful  enouoh. 

We  walked  quickly  and  briskly  on  till  we  came  to 
the  lane  by  the  factory  wall;  but  instead  of  turning 
down  we  all  walked  on  along  the  edge  of  the  dam, 
which  gleamed  coldly  beneath  the  frosty  stars.  It 
was  very  full,  for  there  had  been  a  good  deal  of  rain; 
and  though  the  air  was  frosty  there  was  a  suggestion 
of  change  and  more  rain  before  long. 

When  we  reached  the  top  of  the  dam  we  turned  and 
looked  back. 

Everything  was  as  quiet  as  could  be,  and  here  and 
there  the  glow  from  the  lowered  furnace  fires  made 
a  faint  halo  about  the  dark  building,  so  quiet  and  still 
after  the  hurry  and  buzz  of  the  day. 

As  we  went  back  along  the  dam  the  wavelets  lapped 
the  stone  edge,  and  down  below  on  the  other  side,  as 
well  as  by  the  waste  sluice,  we  could  hear  the  water 
rushing  along  towards  the  lower  part  of  the  town, 
and  onward  to  the  big  river  that  would  finally  carry 
it  to  the  sea. 

We  were  very  silent,  for  every  one  was  watching 
the  works,  till,  as  Uncle  Dick  and  I  reached  the  lane, 
we  stopped  short,  for  I  caught  his  arm. 

I  had  certainly  heard  whispering. 

There  were  half  a  dozen  persons  down  near  the  gate, 
but  whoever  they  were  they  came  towards  us,  said 
"good-night!"  roughly,  turned  the  corner,  and  went 
away. 

It  looked  suspicious  for  half  a  dozen  men  to  be  down 
there  in  the  middle  of  the  night,  but  their  manner  was 
inoifensive  and  civil,  and  we  could  see  nothing  wrong. 


330  A  SLEEPING  WATCHMAN. 

Uncle  Dick  slipped  his  key  into  the  lock,  and  as  he 
opened  the  little  door  in  the  gate  there  was  a  low 
growl  and  the  rush  of  feet. 

"  Piter's  on  the  watch,"  I  said  quietly,  and  the  growl 
turned  to  a  whine  of  welcome. 

"  Be  on  the  look-out,"  said  Uncle  Dick ;  "  we  must 
speak  or  Searby  may  attack  us." 

"Right!"  said  Uncle  Jack;  "but  he  had  better  not." 

The  dog  did  not  bark,  but  trotted  on  before  us,  and 
we  could  just  see  him  as  we  took  a  look  round  the 
yard  before  going  into  the  buildings. 

Everything  was  quite  right  as  far  as  we  could  tell. 
Nothing  unusual  to  be  seen  anywhere,  and  we  went  at 
last  to  the  main  entrance. 

"Nothing  could  be  better,"  said  Uncle  Dick.  "Only 
there  is  no  watchman.     I  say,  was  I  right  in  coming?" 

"Right  enough,"  replied  Uncle  Jack;  "but  look  out 
now  for  squalls.  Men  in  the  dark  have  a  suspicious 
look." 

We  entered,  peered  in  at  the  great  gTinding-shop,  and 
then  began  to  ascend  the  stairs  to  the  upper  works. 

"All  right!"  said  Uncle  Dick.  "I  wish  we  had  a 
light.     Can  you  hear  him?" 

He  had  stopped  short  on  the  landing,  and  we  could 
hear  a  low,  muttering  noise,  like  a  bass  saw  cutting 
hard  leather. 

Score!  score!  score!  slowly  and  regularly;  the  heavy 
breathing  of  a  deep  sleeper. 

"  I'm  glad  we've  got  a  good  watcher,"  said  Uncle 
Jack  drily.  "  Here,  Piter,  dog,  fetch  him  out.  Wake 
him  then." 

The  dog  understood  him,  for  he  burst  into  a  furious 
fit  of  barking  and  charged  up  into  the  big  workshop, 
and  then  there  was  a  worrying  noise  as  if  he  were 
dragging  at  the  watchman's  jacket. 

"  Get  out!     Be  off !     Do  you  hear!" 

"Hi,  Searby!"  roared  Uncle  Jack. 


A   GENUINE   LETTER.  331 

There  was  a  plunge,  and  a  rush  to  the  door,  and 
Searby's  big  voice  cried: 

"  Stand  back,  lads,  or  I'll  blow  out  thee  brains." 

"What  with?"  said  Uncle  Bob;  "the  forge  blast? 
There,  come  down." 

Searby  came  down  quickly. 

"  Lucky  for  yow  that  one  of  yo'  spoke,"  he  said.  "  1 
heard  you  coming,  and  was  lying  wait  for  you.  Don't 
do  it  agen,  mesters.     I  might  hev  half-killed  yo'." 

"Next  time  you  lie  in  wait,"  said  Uncle  Dick,  "don't 
breathe  so  loudly,  my  man,  or  you  will  never  trap  the 
visitors.     They  may  think  you  are  asleep." 

"Give  him  another  chance,"  said  Uncle  Jack  as  we 
went  home. 

"  Ye.s,"  said  Uncle  Bob;  "it  is  partly  our  fault.  If 
we  had  visited  him  once  or  twice  he  would  have  been 
always  on  the  watch." 

"Well,"  said  Uncle  Dick,  "I  don't  want  to  be  un- 
merciful, and  it  will  be  a  lesson.  He'll  work  hard  to 
regain  our  confidence." 

Next  morning:  there  were  two  letters  in  strange 
hands,  which  Uncle  Jack  read  and  then  handed  round. 

One  was  a  threat  such  as  had  often  been  received 
before;  but  the  other  was  of  a  very  difierent  class.  It 
was  as  follows: 

"  Mesters,  —  There's  somiuhat  up.  We  don't  kno 
wat,  hut  game  o'  some  kind's  going  to  be  played.  Owd 
Tommy  Searby  gos  sleep  ivvery  night,  and  he's  no  good. 
Some  on  us  gives  a  look  noiu  an'  then  o'  nights  but 
yoivd  heter  luetch  in  place  yoiirsens. — Some  f  rends." 

"That's  genuine,"  said  Uncle  Dick  emphatically. 
"What's  to  be  done?" 

"Go  and  do  as  they  advise,"  said  Uncle  Jack.  "You 
see  we  have  won  the  fellows  over,  and  they  actually 
act  as  a  sort  of  police  for  us." 


332  UNCLE  jack's  right. 

The  consequence  of  this  letter  was  that  sometimes 
all  four,  sometimes  only  two  of  us  went  and  kept 
watch  there  of  a  night,  very  much  to  old  Searby's  dis- 
gust, but  we  could  not  afford  to  heed  him,  and  night 
after  nio-ht  we  lost  our  rest  for  nothino-. 

"Are  we  being  laughed  at?"  said  Uncle  Bob  wearily 
one  night;  "  I'm  getting  very  tired  of  this." 

"  So  we  all  are,  my  dear  fellow,"  said  Uncle  Jack : 
"  but  I  can't  help  thinking  that  it  is  serious." 

Uncle  Jack  was  right,  for  serious  it  proved. 


CHAPTER    XXVI. 


FIRE   AND   WATER. 


NE  dark  night  at  the  end  of  March  we  went 
down  to  the  works  all  four,  meaning  to  watch 
two  and  two  tli rough  the  darlv  hours.  The 
wind  blew  hard  and  the  rain  fell,  and  as 
we  reached  the  lane  we  could  hear  the  water  lapping 
and  beating  against  the  sluice  and  the  stones  that 
formed  the  head  of  the  dam,  while  the  waste  rushed 
away  with  a  hollow  roar. 

"Pity  to  lose  so  much  good  power,"  said  Uncle 
Jack. 

"  Sun  and  wind  will  bring  it  back  to  the  hills,"  said 
Uncle  Dick  gravely.     "  There  is  no  waste  in  nature." 

I  half  expected  to  see  a  group  of  men,  friends  or 
enemies,  waiting  about;  but  not  a  soul  was  in  sight, 
and  as  we  reached  the  gates  I  shivered  involuntarily 
and  thought  that  people  must  have  very  serious  spite 
against  us  if  they  left  their  snug  firesides  to  attack  us 
on  a  night  like  that. 

Uncle  Dick  opened  the  little  door  in  the  gate  and 
we  stepped  in,  but  to  our  surprise  there  was  no  low 
growl  and  then  whine  of  recognition  from  Piter. 

"  That's  strange,"  said  Uncle  Jack  suspiciously,  and 
he  walked  on  quickly  to  the  door  of  the  building  and 
listened. 

There  was  no  dog  there,  and  his  chain  and  collar  did 


334  TWO   GUARDIANS   MISSING. 

not  hang  over  the  kennel  as  if  they  had  been  taken 
from  the  dog's  neck.     They  were  gone. 

This  seemed  very  strange,  and  what  was  more 
strange  still,  though  we  went  from  grinding  shop  to 
smithy  after  smithy,  furnace  house  and  shed,  there 
was  no  sign  of  the  dog,  and  everything  seemed  to  point 
to  the  fact  that  he  had  been  led  away  by  his  chain, 
and  was  a  prisoner  somewhere. 

"Looks  like  mischief,"  whispered  Uncle  Bob. 
"Where's  that  scoundrel  lying  asleep?" 

We  went  upstairs  to  see,  and  expected  to  find  our 
careful  watchman  carefully  curled  up  somewhere,  but 
there  was  no  snorincj  this  time,  and  Uncle  Bob's  threat 
of  a  bucket  of  water  to  wake  him  did  not  assume 
substance  and  action. 

For  though  we  searched  everywhere  it  soon  became 
evident  that  Scarby  was  not  present,  and  that  we  had 
come  to  find  the  works  deserted. 

"  Then  there  is  going  to  be  some  attack  made,"  said 
Uncle  Dick.     "I'm  glad  we  came." 

"  Shall  you  warn  the  police?"  I  whispered. 

"No,"  said  Uncle  Jack  sharply.  "If  we  warn  the 
police  the  scoundrels  will  get  to  know,  and  no  attack 
will  be  made." 

" So  much  the  better,"  I  said.     "Isn't  it?"  _ 

"  No,  my  lad.  If  they  did  not  come  to-night  they 
would  be  here  some  other  time  when  we  had  not  been 
warned.  We  are  prepared  now,  so  let  them  come  and 
we  may  give  them  such  a  lesson  as  shall  induce  them 
to  leave  us  in  peace  for  the  future." 

"Do  you  mean  to  fight,  then?"  I  asked. 

"  Most  decidedly,  boy.  For  our  rights,  for  our  place 
where  we  win  our  livelihood.  We  should  be  cowards 
if  we  did  not.  You  must  play  the  dog's  part  for  us 
witli  your  sharp  eyes  and  ears.  Eecollect  we  have 
right  on  our  side  and  they  have  wrong." 

"  Let's  put  the  fort  in  a  state  of  defence,"  said  Uncle 


IN   A   STATE   OF  DEFENCK  335 

Dick  merrily  "Perhaps  it  will  turn  out  to  be  all 
nonsense,  but  we  must  be  prepared.  What  do  you 
say — divide  in  two  watches  as  we  proposed,  and  take 
turn  and  turn?" 

"No:  we'll  all  watch  together  to-night  in  case  any- 
thing serious  should  be  meant." 

It  did  seem  so  vexatious  that  a  small  party  of  men 
should  be  able  to  keep  up  this  system  of  w^arfare  in 
the  great  manufacturing  town.  Here  had  my  uncles 
brought  a  certain  amount  of  prosperity  to  the  place  by 
establishino-  these  works:  the  men  had  found  out 
their  worth  and  respected  them,  and  everything  was 
going  on  in  the  most  prosperous  way,  and  yet  we 
were  being  assailed  with  threats,  and  it  was  quite 
possible  that  at  any  moment  some  cruel  blow  might  be 
struck. 

I  felt  very  nervous  that  night,  but  I  drew  courage 
from  my  uncles,  who  seemed  to  take  everything  in  the 
coolest  and  most  matter-of-fact  way.  They  went 
round  to  the  buildings  where  the  fires  were  banked 
up  and  glowing  or  smouldering,  ready  to  be  brought 
under  the  influence  of  the  blast  next  day  and  fanned 
to  white  heat.  Here  every  precaution  was  taken  to 
guard  against  danger  by  fire,  one  of  the  most  probable 
w^ays  of  attack,  either  by  ordinary  combustion  or  the 
swift  explosion  of  gunpowder. 

"  There,"  said  Uncle  Jack  after  a  careful  inspection, 
"we  can  do  no  more.  If  the  ruffians  come  and  blow 
us  up  it  will  be  pretty  well  ruin." 

"  While  if  they  burn  us  we  are  handsomely  insured," 
said  Uncle  Dick. 

"  By  all  means  then  let  us  be  burned,"  said  Uncle 
Bob  lauohincr.  "There,  don't  let's  make  mountains  of 
molehills.     We  shall  not  be  hurt.' 

"Well,"  said  Uncle  Dick,  "I  feel  as  if  we  ought  to 
take  every  possible  precaution;  but,  that  done,  I  do 
not  feel  much  fear  of  anything  taking  place.     If  the 


336  A   STRANGE   ODOUR. 

scoundrels  had  really  meant  mischief  they  would  have 
done  something  before  now." 

"Don't  halloa  till  you  are  out  of  the  wood,"  said 
Uncle  Jack.     "  I  smell  danger." 

"Where,  uncle?"  I  cried. 

"In  the  air,  boy.  How  the  wind  blows!  Quite  a 
gale.  Brings  the  smell  of  naphtha  from  those  works 
half  a  mile  away.  Shows  how  a  scent  like  that  will 
travel." 

"  I  say,  boys,"  said  Uncle  Bob,  "  what  a  trade  that 
would  be  to  carry  on — that  or  powder-mills.  The 
scoundrels  would  regularly  hold  one  at  their  mercy." 

"  Wind's  rising,  and  the  water  seems  pretty  lively," 
said  Uncle  Dick  as  we  sat  together  in  the  oiiice,  listen* 
ing  to  the  noises  of  the  night. 

"We  were  quite  in  the  dark,  and  from  time  to  time 
we  had  a  look  round  about  the  yard  and  wall  and  that 
side  of  the  building,  the  broad  dam  on  the  other  side 
being  our  protection. 

"What  a  curious  gurgling  the  water  makes!"  said 
Uncle  Bob  as  we  sat  listening;  "anyone  might  think 
that  half  a  dozen  bottles  were  being  poured  out  at 
once." 

"  The  water  plays  in  and  out  of  the  crevices  amongst 
the  stones,  driving  the  air  forth.  I've  often  listened  to 
it  and  thought  it  was  someone  whispering  out  there 
beneath  the  windows,"  said  Uncle  Dick. 

Then  came  a  loud  gust  of  wind  that  shook  the  win- 
dows, and  directly  after  there  was  the  strong  sour  scent 
of  naphtha. 

"They  must  have  had  an  accident — upset  a  tank  or 
something  of  the  kind,"  said  Uncle  Jack.  "  How  strong 
it  is!" 

"Yes;  quite  stinging.  It  comes  each  time  with  the 
puffs  of  wind.  I  suppose,"  continued  Uncle  Dick, 
"you  would  consider  that  which  we  smell  to  be  a  gas." 

"  Certainly,"  said  Uncle  Bob,  who  was,  we  considered, 


A   SURPRISE.  337 

a  pretty  good  chemist.  "It  is  the  evaporation  of  the 
spirit;  it  is  so  volatile  that  it  turns  of  itself  into  vapour 
or  a'as  and  it  makes  itself  evident  to  our  nostrils  as  it 
is  borne  upon  the  air." 

"  There  must  be  great  loss  in  the  manufacture  of 
such  a  spirit  as  that." 

"  Oh,  they  charge  accordingly!"  said  Uncle  Bob;  "but 
a  great  deal  does  undoubtedly  pass  oft"  into  — " 

He  stopped  short,  for  Uncle  Jack  laid  his  hand  upon 
his  knee  and  we  all  listened. 

"Nothing,"  said  the  latter;  but  I  felt  sure  I  heard  a 
noise  below. 

"  I  heard  the  gurgling  sound  very  plainly,"  said 
Uncle  Dick.  "There  it  is  again.  One  might  almost 
think  there  was  water  trickling  into  the  building." 

"Or  naphtha,  judging  by  the  smell,"  said  Uncle  Bob. 
"It's  very  curious.     I  have  it!"  he  cried. 

"  What  do  you  mean?"  said  Uncle  Jack  sharply. 

"  There  has  been  an  accident,  as  we  supposed,  at  the 
naphtha  works,  and  a  quantity  of  it  has  floated  down 
the  stream  and  into  our  dam." 

"It  has  been  very  clever  then,"  said  Uncle  Jack 
gruffly,  "for  it  has  floated  up  stream  a  hundred  yards 
to  get  into  our  dam,  and Good  heavens!" 

He  sprang  to  the  window  and  threw  it  open,  for  at 
that  moment  a  heavy  dull  explosion  shook  the  room 
where  we  were,  and  in  place  of  the  darkness  we  could 
see  each  other  distinctly,  for  the  place  seemed  to  have 
been  filled  with  reflected  light,  which  went  out  and 
then  blazed  up  again. 

"Ah!"  ejaculated  Uncle  Jack,  "the  cowards!  If  I 
had  a  gun!" 

I  ran  to  his  side,  and  in  the  middle  of  the  dam, 
paddling  towards  the  outer  side,  there  was  a  sort  of 
raft  with  three  men  upon  it,  and  now  they  were  dis- 
tinctly seen,  for  the  black  water  of  the  dam  seemed  to 
have  suddenly  become  tawny  gold,  lit  by  a  building 

(322)  Y 


338  IN    GREAT   PERIL, 

burning  furiously  on  our  right.  That  building  was  our 
furnace-house  and  the  set  of  smithies  and  slieds  that 
connected  it  with  the  grinding-shops  and  offices. 

Uncle  Jack  bano-ed  to  the  window  and  took  the 
command. 

"Cob,"  he  cried,  "run  to  the  big  bell  and  keep  it 
going.  Our  lads  will  come.  Dick,  throw  open  the 
gate;  Bob,  follow  me.  Fire  drill.  We  may  nip  the 
blaze  in  the  bud." 

The  lire-bell  was  not  rung,  the  gate  was  not  thrown 
open;  for  as  we  ran  out  of  the  office  and  down  the 
stairs  it  was  to  step  into  a  pool  of  naphtha,  and  in  a 
few  instants  we  found  that  a  quantity  had  been  poured 
in  at  the  lower  windows — to  what  extent  we  could  not 
tell — but  it  was  evident  that  this  had  been  done  all 
along  the  basement  by  the  scoundrels  on  the  raft,  and 
that  they  had  contrived  that  some  should  reach  one  of 
the  furnaces,  with  the  result  that  in  an  instant  the 
furnace-house  had  leaped  into  a  mass  of  roaring  flame, 
which  the  brisk  gale  was  fanning  and  making  the  fire 
run  along  the  naphtha-soaked  buildings  like  a  wave. 

"Stop,  stop!"  roared  Uncle  Jack;  "we  can  do  nothing 
to  stay  this.  Back  to  the  offices  and  secure  all  books 
and  papers." 

So  swiftly  was  the  fire  borne  along  by  the  gale  that 
we  had  hardly  time  to  reach  the  staircase  before  it 
came  running  along,  licking  up  the  naphtha,  of  which 
a  large  quantity  had  been  spilled,  and  as  it  caught 
there  were  dozens  of  little  explosions. 

I  do  not  think  either  of  us  gave  a  thought  to  how 
we  were  to  get  away  a^-ain,  for  the  valuable  books 
and  plans  had  to  be  saved  at  all  hazards;  so  following 
Uncle  Jack  we  rushed  into  the  big  office,  the  safe  was 
opened,  and  as  rapidly  as  possible  a  couple  of  tin  boxes 
were  filled  with  account-books,  and  a  number  of  papers 
were  bound  round  with  string. 

"You  must  look  sharp,"  said  Uncle  Bob. 


SURROUNDED   BY   FIRE.  339 

"But  we  must  take  my  books,  and  odds  and  ends, 
and  fisliing-tacklo,"  I  cried. 

"  Better  try  and  save  our  lives,"  said  Uncle  Bob. 
"Are  you  ready?" 

"No;  there  are  some  plans  we  must  take,"  said 
Uncle  Dick. 

"You  must  leave  them,"  shouted  Uncle  Bob.  "There, 
you  are  too  late!"  he  cried,  banging  to  the  door  at  the 
end  of  the  workshop;  "the  flame's  coming  up  the 
stairs." 

"We  can  get  out  of  the  windows,"  said  Uncle  Jack 
coolly. 

"  The  place  beneath  is  all  on  fire,"  cried  Uncle  Bob, 
flinging  himself  on  his  knees.     "  The  floor's  quite  hot." 

We  should  have  been  suffocated  only  that  there  was 
a  perfect  rash  of  cold  air  through  the  place,  but  mo- 
ment by  moment  this  was  becoming  hot  and  poisonous 
with  the  gases  of  combustion.  The  flames  were  rush- 
ing out  of  the  grinding-shop  windows  beneath  us,  and 
tlie  yard  on  one  side,  the  dam  on  the  other,  were  light 
as  day. 

In  one  glance  over  the  fire  and  smoke  I  saw  our 
wall  covered  with  workmen  and  boys,  some  watching, 
some  dropping  over  into  the  yard.  While  in  a  similar 
rapid  glance  on  the  other  side  I  saw  through  the  flame 
and  smoke  that  on  one  side  the  dam  bank  was  covered 
with  spectators,  on  the  other  there  were  three  men 
just  climbing  off  a  rough  raft  and  descending  towards 
the  stream  just  below. 

"  Now,"  said  Uncle  Jack,  seizing  one  box,  "  I  can  do 
no  more.     Each  of  you  take  your  lot  and  let's  go." 

"But  where? — how?"  I  panted. 

"Phew!" 

Uncle  Jack  gave  vent  to  a  long  whistle  that  was 
heard  above  the  crackling  wood,  the  roar  of  flames 
carried  along  by  the  wind,  and  the  shouts  and  cries  of 
the  excited  crowd  in  the  yard. 


340  "KEEP  cool!" 

"  It's  worse  than  I  tliouglit,"  said  Uncle  Jack.  "  We 
can't  get  down.  Keep  cool,  boys.  We  must  save  our 
papers.  Here,  there  is  less  tire  at  that  window  than  at 
either  of  the  others — let's  throw  the  boxes  out  there. 
They'll  take  care  of  them." 

We  ran  to  the  far  corner  window,  but  as  we  reached 
it  a  pull" of  tiame  and  smoke  curved  in  and  drove  us  back. 

It  was  so  with  every  window  towards  the  yard,  and 
escape  was  entirely  cut  off. 

The  men  were  trying  to  do  something  to  save  us, 
for  there  was  a  tremendous  noise  and  excitement  be- 
low; but  they  could  do  absolutely  nothing,  so  rapidly 
had  the  gi-inding-shop  beneath  us  been  turned  into  a 
fiery  furnace. 

And  now  the  flames  had  mastered  the  end  door, 
which  fell  inward,  and  flame  and  black  and  gold  clouds 
of  smoke  rolled  in. 

"Quick,  Cob! — into  the  office!"  roared  Uncle  Dick; 
and  I  darted  in  with  some  of  the  papers,  followed  by 
the  rest,  Uncle  Jack  banging  to  the  door. 

"  Keep  cool,  all  of  you,"  he  cried.  "  I  must  save 
these  books  and  papers." 

"  But  we  must  save  our  lives.  Jack,"  said  Uncle 
Dick.  "  The  floor's  smoking.  Our  only  chance  is  to 
jump  into  the  dam." 

"Through  that  blaze  of  flame!"  said  Uncle  Bob 
gloomily. 

"It  is  our  only  chance,"  said  Uncle  Jack;  "but  let's 
try  to  save  our  boxes  as  well.  They  will  float  if  we 
take  care." 

"  Now,  then,  who's  first?" 

The  window  was  open,  the  tin  boxes  and  the  packets 
on  the  table,  the  dam  beneath  but  invisible;  for  the 
flame  and  smoke  that  rose  from  the  window  below 
came  like  a  fiery  curtain  between  us  and  the  water; 
and  it  was  through  this  curtain  that  we  should  have 
to  plunge. 


"ARE   YOU   READY?"  341 

Certainly  it  would  be  a  momentary  affair,  and  then 
we  should  be  in  the  clear  cold  water;  but  the  idea  of 
taking  such  a  leap  made  even  my  stout  uncles  shrink 
and  vainly  look  round  for  some  other  means  of  escape. 

But  there  were  none  that  we  could  see.  Above  the 
roar  and  cracklincf  of  the  flames  we  could  hear  the 
shouting  of  the  mob  and  voices  shrieking  out  more 
than  crying,  "Jump!  jump!"  Everything,  though,  was 
one  whirl  of  confusion;  and  I  felt  half -stifled  with  the 
terrible  heat  and  the  choking  fumes  that  came  up 
between  the  boai^ds  and  beneath  the  door. 

It  was  rapidly  blinding  as  well  as  confusing  us ;  and 
in  those  exciting  moments  leadership  seemed  to  have 
gone,  and  if  even  I  had  made  a  bold  start  the  others 
would  have  followed. 

At  last  after  what  seemed  to  have  been  a  long  space 
of  time,  though  it  was  doubtless  only  moments.  Uncle 
Jack  cried  fiercely : 

"Look:  the  floor's  beginning  to  burn.  You,  Dick, 
out  first,  Cob  shall  follow;  and  we'll  drop  the  two  tin 
boxes  to  you.  You  must  save  them.  Now!  are  you 
ready?" 

"Yes,"  cried  Uncle  Dick,  climbing  on  a  chair,  and 
thrusting  his  arm  out  of  the  window. 

As  he  did  so,  there  was  a  pufl"  like  some  gigantic 
firework,  and  a  large  cloud  of  fiery  smoke  rose  up  full 
of  tiny  sparks;  and  he  shrank  back  with  an  ejaculation 
of  pain. 

"Hot,  Dick?"  cried  Uncle  Jack  almost  savagely. 
"  Go  on,  lad ;  it  will  be  hotter  here.  In  five  minutes 
the  floor  will  be  burned  throua'h." 

"Follow  quickly,  Cob,"  cri(Ml  Uncle  Dick;  and  then 
he  paused,  for  there  was  a  curious  rushing  noise,  the 
people  yelled,  and  there  were  shrieks  and  cries,  and 
above  all,  a  great  trampling  of  feet. 

We  could  see  nothing  for  the  flame  and  smoke  that 
rose  before  the  window;  and  just  then  the  roar  of  the 


342  AT   THE   LAST   MOMENT. 

flames  seemed  to  increase,  and  our  position  became  un- 
endurable. 

But  still  that  was  a  curious  rushing  noise  in  the  air, 
a  roar  as  of  thunder  and  pouring,  hissing  rain,  and  a 
railway  train  rushing  by  and  coming  nearer  and  nearer 
every  moment;  and  then,  as  Uncle  Dick  was  about  to 
step  forth  into  the  blaze  and  leap  into  the  dam,  Uncle 
Jack  caught  him  and  held  him  back. 

Almost  at  the  same  moment  the  rush  and  roar  in- 
creased a  hundred-fold,  confusing  and  startling  us,  and 
then,  as  if  by  magic,  there  was  a  tremendous  thud 
against  the  walls  that  shook  the  foundations;  a  fierce 
hissing  noise,  and  one  moment  we  were  standing  in  the 
midst  of  glowing  light,  the  next  moment  we  were  to 
our  waists  in  water  dashed  against  the  opposite  wall, 
and  all  was  black  darkness. 

As  we  struggled  to  our  feet  the  water  was  sinking, 
but  the  horrible  crashing,  rushing  noise  was  still  going 
on — water,  a  huge  river  of  water  was  rushing  right 
through  our  factory  threatening  to  sweep  it  away,  and 
then  the  flood  seemed  to  sink  as  quickly  as  it  had 
come,  and  we  stood  holding  hands,  listening  to  the 
gurgling  rush  that  was  rapidly  dying  away. 

"What  is  it?"  panted  Uncle  Bob. 

"Life.  Thank  heaven,  we  are  saved!"  said  Uncle 
Dick  fervently. 

"Amen!"  exclaimed  Uncle  Jack.  "Why,  Dick,"  he 
cried,  "  that  great  dam  up  in  the  hills  must  have  burst 
and  come  sweeping  down  the  vale!" 

Uncle  Jack  was  right,  for  almost  as  he  spoke  we 
could  hear  voices  shouting  "rezzyvoyer;"  and  for  the 
moment  we  forgot  our  own  troubles  in  the  thought  of 
the  horrors  that  must  have  taken  place  up  the  vale. 

But  we  could  not  stay  where  we  were,  half  suftbcated 
by  the  steam  that  rose,  and,  opening  the  door,  which 
broke  away  half  burned  through,  we  stood  once  more 
in  the  long  workshop,  which  seemed  little  changed. 


"A   SIGHT   O'   MISCHIEF."  343 

save  that  here  and  there  a  black  chasm  yawned  in  the 
floor,  among  which  wc  had  to  thread  our  way  to  where 
the  stout  door  had  been. 

That  and  the  staircase  were  gone,  so  that  our  only 
chance  was  to  descend  by  lowering  ourselves  and  drop- 
ping to  the  ground. 

Just  then  we  heard  the  splashing  of  feet  in  the  yard, 
and  a  voice  we  recognized  as  Pannell  cried: 

"Mebbe  they've  got  away.  Alioy  there,  mesters! 
Mester  Jacob!" 

"  Ahoy ! "  I  shouted ;  and  a  ringing  cheer  went  up  from 
twenty  throats. 

"  We're  all  right,"  I  cried,  only  nearly  smothered. 
"  Can  you  get  a  short  ladder?" 

"Ay,  lad,"  cried  another  familiar  voice;  and  another 
shouted,  "  Owd  Jones  has  got  one;"  and  I  was  sure  it 
was  Gentles  who  spoke. 

"How's  the  place,  Pannell?"  cried  Uncle  Dick,  lean- 
ing out  of  one  of  the  windows. 

"  So  dark,  mester,  I  can  hardly  see,  but  lire's  put 
right  out,  and  these  here  buildings  be  aw  reight,  but 
wheer  the  smithies  and  furnace  was  is  nobbut  ground." 

"Swept  away?" 

"  Pretty  well  burned  through  first,  mester,  and  then 
the  watter  came  and  washed  it  all  clear.  Hey  but  theer's 
a  sight  of  mischief  done,  I  fear." 

A  short  ladder  was  soon  brought,  and  the  boxes  and 
papers  were  placed  in  safety  in  a  neighbouring  house, 
after  which  in  the  darkness  we  tramped  through  the 
yard,  to  find  that  it  was  inches  deep  in  mud,  and  that 
the  fiood  had  found  our  mill  stout  enough  to  resist  its 
force;  but  the  half- burned  furnace-house,  the  smithies, 
and  about  sixty  feet  of  tall  stone  wall  had  been  taken 
so  cleanly  away  that  even  the  stones  were  gone,  while 
the  mill  next  to  ours  was  cut  riuht  in  two. 

There  was  not  a  vestige  of  tire  left,  so,  leaving  our 
further  inspection  to  be  continued  in  daylight,  we  left 


344  THE   MEN   ON   THE   RAFT. 

a  couple  of  men  as  watchers,  and  were  going  to  join 
the  hurrying  crowd,  when  I  caught  Uncle  Dick's  arm. 

"Well'?"  he  exclaimed. 

"  Did  you  see  where  those  men  went  as  they  got  off 
the  raft?" 

"  They  seemed  to  be  climbing  down  into  the  hollow 
beside  the  river,"  he  said: 

"Yes,"  I  whispered  with  a  curious  catching  of  the 
breath,  "and  then  the  flood  came." 

He  gripped  my  hand,  and  stood  thinking  for  a  few 
moments. 

"  It  is  impossible  to  say,"  he  cried  at  last.  "  But 
come  along,  we  may  be  of  some  service  to  those  in 
trouble." 

In  that  spirit  we  went  on  down  to  the  lower  part 
of  the  town,  following  the  course  of  the  flood,  and 
finding  fresh  horrors  at  every  turn. 


•K)Hf 


CHAPTER     XXVII. 


EIGHT  YEARS   LATER. 


ANCY  the  horrors  of  that  night!  The  great 
clam  about  which  one  of  my  uncles  had  ex- 
pressed his  doubts  when  we  visited  it  the 
previous  year,  and  of  which  he  had  spoken 
as  our  engine,  had  given  way  in  the  centre  of  the  vast 
earthen  wall  like  a  railway  embankment.  A  little  crack 
had  grown  and  grown — the  trickling  water  that  came 
through  had  run  into  a  stream,  then  into  a  river,  and 
then  a  vast  breach  in  the  embankment  was  made,  and 
a  wall  of  water  had  rushed  down  the  valley  swiftly  as 
a  fast  train,  carrying  destruction  before  it. 

The  ruin  of  that  night  is  historical,  and  when  after 
a  few  hours  we  made  our  way  up  the  valley,  it  was  to 
see  at  every  turn  the  devastation  that  had  been  caused. 
Mills  and  houses  had  been  swept  away  as  if  they  had 
been  corks,  strongly-built  works  with  massive  stone 
walls  had  crumbled  away  like  cardboard,  and  their 
machinery  had  been  carried  down  by  the  great  wave 
of  water,  stones,  gravel,  and  mud. 

Trees  had  been  lifted  up  by  their  roots;  rows  of 
cottages  cut  in  half;  banks  of  the  valley  carved  out, 
and  for  miles  and  miles,  down  in  the  bottom  by  the 
course  of  the  little  river,  the  face  of  the  country  was 
changed.  Here  where  a  beautiful  garden  had  stretched 
down  to  the  stream  was  a  bed  of  gravel  and  sand; 


346  tup:  work  of  the  flood. 

there  whoi'e  verdant  meadows  had  lain  were  sheets  of 
mud;  and  in  hundreds  of  places  trees,  plants,  and  the 
very  earth  had  been  swept  clear  away  down  to  where 
there  was  only  solid'  rock. 

When  we  reached  the  great  embankment  the  main 
part  of  the  water  was  gone,  and  in  the  middle  there 
was  the  huge  gap  through  which  it  had  escaped. 

"Too  much  water  for  so  frail  a  dam,"  said  Uncle 
Jack  sententiously.  "Boys,  we  must  not  bemoan  our 
loss  in  the  face  of  such  a  catastrophe  as  this." 

We  had  no  right,  for  to  us  the  flood,  exhausted  and 
spread  by  its  eight-mile  race,  had  been  our  saving,  the 
greater  part  of  our  destruction  being  by  Are,  for  which 
we  should  have  recompense;  while  for  the  poor  crea- 
tures who  had  been  in  an  instant  robbed  of  home  and 
in  many  cases  of  relatives,  what  recompense  could 
there  be! 

The  loss  of  life  was  frightful,  and  the  scenes  wit- 
nessed as  first  one  poor  creature  and  then  another  was 
discovered  buried  in  sand  and  mud  after  being  borne 
miles  by  the  flood,  are  too  painful  to  record. 

Suflicc  it  that  the  flood  had  swept  down  those  eight 
miles  of  valley,  doing  incalculable  damage,  and  leaving 
traces  that  remained  for  years.  The  whole  of  the  loss 
was  never  known,  and  till  then  people  were  to  a  great 
extent  in  ignoi'ance  of  the  power  that  water  could 
exercise.  In  many  cases  we  stood  appalled  at  the 
changes  made  high  up  the  valley,  and  the  manner  in 
which  masses  of  stonework  had  been  swept  along. 
Stone  was  plentiful  in  the  neighbourhood  and  much 
used  in  building,  and  wherever  the  flood  had  come  in 
contact  with  a  building  it  was  taken  away  bodily,  to 
crumble  up  as  it  was  borne  along,  and  augment  the 
power  of  the  water,  which  became  a  wave  charged  with 
stones,  masses  of  rock,  and  beams  of  wood,  ready  to 
batter  into  nothingness  every  obstacle  that  stood  in  its 
way. 


REPAIRING   DAMAGES.  347 

"It  seems  impossible  that  all  this  could  be  done  in  a 
few  minutes,"  said  Uncle  Dick. 

"No,  not  when  you  think  of  the  power  of  water," 
said  Uncle  Jack  quietly.  "Think  of  how  helpless  one 
is  when  bathing,  against  an  ordinary  wave.  Then 
think  of  that  wave  a  million  times  the  size,  and  tear- 
ing along  a  valley  charged  with  debris,  and  racing  at 
you  as  fast  as  a  horse  could  gallop." 

We  came  back  from  the  scene  of  desolation  ready  to 
make  light  of  our  own  trouble,  and  the  way  in  which 
my  uncles  worked  to  help  the  sufferers  down  in  the 
lower  part  of  the  town  gave  the  finishing  touches  to 
the  work  of  many  months. 

There  was  so  much  trouble  in  the  town  and  away 
up  the  valley,  so  much  suffering  to  allay,  that  the 
firing  of  our  works  by  the  despicable  scoundrels  who 
worked  in  secret  over  these  misdeeds  became  a  very 
secondary  matter,  and  seemed  to  cause  no  excitement 
at  all. 

"  But  you  must  make  a  stir  about  this,"  said  Mr. 
Tomplin.  "  The  villains  who  did  that  deed  must  be 
brought  to  justice.  The  whole  affair  will  have  to  be 
investigated,  and  I'm  afraid  we  shall  have  to  begin  by 
arresting  that  man  of  yours — the  watcher  Searby." 

But  all  this  was  not  done.  Searby  came  and  gave 
a  good  account  of  himself — how  he  had  been  deluded 
away,  and  then  so  beaten  with  sticks  that  he  was  glad 
to  crawl  home;  and  he  needed  no  words  to  prove  that 
he  had  suffered  severely  in  our  service. 

"Let's  set  the  prosecution  aside  for  the  present," 
said  Uncle  Jack,  "and  repair  damages.  We  can  talk 
about  that  when  the  work  is  gointj  ae^ain." 

This  advice  was  followed  out,  and  the  insurance 
company  proving  very  liberal,  as  soon  as  they  were 
satisfied  of  the  place  having  been  destroyed  by  fire, 
better  and  more  available  buildings  soon  occupied  the 
position  of  the  old,  the  machinery  was  repaired,  and 


348  PANNELL   ADVISES. 

in  two  months  the  works  were  in  full  swing  once 
more. 

It  might  almost  have  been  thought  that  the  flood 
swept  away  the  foul  element  that  originated  the  out- 
rages which  had  disgraced  the  place.  Be  that  as  it 
may,  the  burning  of  our  works  was  almost  the  last  of 
these  mad  attempts  to  stop  progress  and  intimidate 
those  who  wished  to  improve  upon  the  old  style  of 
doino-  thinsfs. 

I  talked  to  Pannell  and  Stevens  about  the  fire  after- 
wards and  about  having  caught  sight  of  three  men 
landing  from  a  raft  and  going  down  towards  the  river 
just  before  the  Hood  came. 

But  they  both  tightened  their  lips  and  shook  their 
heads.     They  would  say  nothing  to  the  point. 

Pannell  was  the  more  communicative  of  the  two, 
but  liis  remarks  were  rather  enigmatical. 

"  Men  jynes  in  things  sometimes  as  they  don't  like, 
my  lad.  Look  here,"  he  said,  holding  a  glowing  piece 
of  steel  upon  his  anvil  and  giving  it  a  tremendous 
thump.  "See  that?  I  give  that  bit  o'  steel  a  crack, 
and  it  was  a  bad  un,  but  I  can't  take  that  back, 
can  I?" 

"  No,  of  course  not,  but  you  can  hammer  the  steel 
into  shape  again." 

"  That's  what  some  on  us  is  trying  to  do,  my  lad, 
and  best  thing  towards  doing  it  is  holding  one's 
tonoue." 

That  spring  my  father  and  mother  came  down,  and 
tliat  autumn  I  lei't  ArrovvHeld  and  went  to  an  engineer- 
ing scliool  for  four  years,  after  which  I  went  out  with 
a  celebrated  engineer  who  was  going  to  build  some 
iron  railway  bridges  over  one  of  the  great  Indian 
rivers. 

I  was  out  there  four  years  more,  and  it  was  with  no 


POOR   OLD   PITER.  349 

little  pleasure  that  I  returned  to  the  old  country,  and 
went  down  home,  to  lind  things  very  little  changed. 

Of  course  my  uncles  were  eight  years  older,  but  it 
was  singular  how  slightly  they  were  altered.  The 
alteration  was  somewhere  else. 

"  By  the  way.  Cob,"  said  Uncle  Dick,  "  I  thought  we 
wouldn't  write  about  it  at  the  time,  and  then  it  was 
forgotten;  but  just  now,  seeing  you  again,  all  the  old 
strutioles  came  back.  You  remember  the  nioht  of  the 
fire?" 

"  Is  it  likely  I  could  forget  it? "  I  said. 

"  No,  not  very.  But  you  remember  going  down  to 
the  works  and  finding  no  watchman — no  dog." 

"  What !  Did  you  find  out  what  became  of  poor  old 
Jupiter?" 

"  Yes,  poor  fellow !     The  scoundrels  drowned  him." 

"Oh!" 

"  Yes.  We  had  to  drain  the  dam  and  have  the  mud 
cleaned  out  three — four  years  ago,  and  we  found  his 
chain  twisted  round  a  great  piece  of  iron  and  the 
collar  still  round  some  bones." 

"  The  cowardly  rufiians !  "  I  exclaimed. 

"  Yes,"  said  Uncle  Jack ;  "  but  that  breed  of  work- 
man seems  to  be  dying  out  now." 

"And  all  those  troubles,"  said  Uncle  Bob,  "are 
over." 

That  afternoon  I  went  down  to  the  works,  which 
seemed  to  have  grown  smaller  in  my  absence;  but  they 
were  in  full  activity;  and  turning  oft"  to  the  new  range 
of  smithies  I  entered  one  where  a  great  bald-headed 
man  with  a  grisly  beard  was  hammering  away  at  a 
piece  of  steel. 

He  did  not  look  up  as  I  entered,  but  growled  out: 

"  I  shall  want  noo  model  for  them  blades,  Mester 
John,  and  sooner  the  better." 

"Why,  Pamiell,  old  fellow!"  I  said. 

He  raised  his  head  and  stared  at  me. 


350  OLD   FRIENDS. 

"  Why,  what  hev  yow  been  doing  to  theeself,  Master 
John? "  he  said.     "  Thou  looks— thou  looks—" 

He  stopped  short,  and  the  thought  suddenly  came 
to  me  that  last  time  he  saw  me  I  was  a  big  boy,  and 
that  in  eight  years  I  had  grown  into  a  broad-shouldered 
man,  six  feet  one  high,  and  had  a  face  bronzed  by  the 
Indian  sun,  and  a  great  thick  beard. 

"  Why,  Pannell,  don't  you  know  me?" 

He  threw  down  the  piece  of  steel  he  had  been  ham- 
mering, struck  the  anvil  a  clanging  blow  with  all  his 
might,  shouted  "  I'm  blest!"  and  ran  out  of  the  smithy 
shouting: 

"Hey!  Hi,  lads!  Stivins— Gentles!  The  hull  lot 
on  yo'!  Turn  out  here!  Hey!  Hi!  Here's  Mester 
Jacob  come  back." 

The  men  who  had  known  me  came  running  out,  and 
those  who  had  not  known  me  came  to  see  what  it  all 
meant,  and  it  meant  really  that  the  rough  honest 
fellows  were  heartily  glad  to  see  me. 

But  first  they  grouped  about  me  and  stared;  then 
their  lips  spread,  and  they  laughed  at  me,  staring  the 
while  as  if  I  had  been  some  great  wild  beast  or  a 
curiosity. 

"  On'y  to  think  o'  this  being  him!"  cried  Pannell; 
and  he  stamped  about,  slapping  first  one  knee  and  then 
the  other,  making  his  leather  apron  sound  again. 

"Yow'll  let  a  mon  shek  bans  wi'  thee,  lad?"  cried 
Pannell.  "Hey,  that's  hearty!  On'y  black  steel,"  he 
cried  in  apology  for  the  state  of  his  hand. 

Then  I  had  to  shake  hands  all  round,  and  listen  to 
the  remarks  made,  while  Gentles  evidently  looked  on, 
but  with  his  eyes  screwed  tight. 

"Say  a  —  look  at  his  arms,  lads,"  cried  Stevens, 
who  was  as  excited  as  everybody.  "He  hev  growed 
a  big  un.  Why,  he  bets  the  three  mesters  'cross  the 
showthers." 

Then  Pannell  started  a  cheer,  and  so  much  fuss  was 


PATIENCE    WON.  351 

made  over  me  that  I  was  glad  to  take  refuge  in  the 
office,  feeling  quite  ashamed. 

"  Why,  Cob,  you  had  quite  an  ovation,"  said  Uncle 
Bob. 

"  Yes,  just  because  I  have  grown  as  big  as  my  big 
uncles,"  I  said  in  a  half-vexed  way. 

"  No,"  said  Uncle  Dick,  "  not  for  that,  my  lad.  The 
men  remember  you  as  being  a  stout-hearted  plucky 
boy  who  was  always  ready  to  crush  down  his  weak- 
ness, and  fight  in  the  cause  of  right." 

"  And  who  always  treated  them  in  a  straightforward 
manly  way,"  said  Uncle  Jack. 

"  What !  do  you  mean  to  say  those  men  remember 
what  I  used  to  do?" 

"Remember!"  cried  Uncle  Bob;  "why  it  is  one  of 
their  staple  talks  about  how  you  stood  against  the 
night  birds  who  used  to  play  us  such  cowards'  tricks. 
Wh}'-,  Gentles  remains  Traiypy  Gentles  to  this  day." 

"And  bears  no  malice?"  I  said. 

"Malice!  Not  a  bit.  He's  one  of  our  most  trusty 
men." 

"Don't  say  that.  Bob,"  said  Uncle  Jack.  "We  haven't 
a  man  who  wouldn't  fight  for  us  to  the  end." 

"  Not  one,"  said  Uncle  Dick.  "  You  worked  wonders 
with  them,  Cob,  when  you  were  here." 

"Let's  see,  uncles,"  I  said;  "I've  been  away  eight 
years." 

"  Yes,"  they  said. 

"  Well,  I  haven't  learned  yet  what  it  is  not  to  be 
modest,  and  I  hope  I  never  shall." 

"What  do  you  mean?"  said  Uncle  Dick. 

"What  do  I  mean!"  I  said.  "Why,  what  did  I  do 
but  what  you  three  dear  old  fellows  taught  me?    Eh?" 

There  was  a  silence  in  the  office  for  a  few  minutes. 
No;  only  a  pause  as  to  words,  for  wheels  were  turning, 
blades  shrieking,  water  splashing,  huge  hammers  thud- 


352  I   AM   MODEST. 

ding,  and  there  was  the  hiss  and  whirr  of  steam-sped 
machines,  added  since  I  went  away,  for  "  Russell's,"  as 
the  men  called  our  works,  was  fast  becoming  one  of 
the  most  prosperous  of  the  small  businesses  in  our 
town. 

Then  Uncle  Dick  spoke  gravely,  and  said: 
"  Cob,  there  are  boys  who  will  be  taught,  and  boys 
whom  people  try  to  teach  and  never  seem  to  move. 
Now  you — " 

No,  I  cannot  set  down  what  he  said,  for  I  profess 
to  be  modest  still.  I  must  leave  oli  sometime,  so  it 
shall  be  here. 


THE   END. 


BLACKIE   &    SON'S 
BOOKS  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 


BY    G.    A.    HENTY. 


The  Tig^er  of  Mysore:  A  Story  of  the  War  witli  Tippoo 
Saib.  By  G.  A.  Henty.  With  12  lUustrations  by  W.  H.  Mar- 
GETSON,  aud  a  Map.     Crown  8vo,  cloth  elegant,  olivine  edges,  6s. 

Dick  Holland's  father  is  supposed  to  be  one  of  the  English  captives  in 
the  hands  of  that  bloodthirsty  tyrant,  Tippoo  Saib,  who  is  known  in  history 
as  "  The  Tiger  of  Mysore  ".  So  Dick,  who  is  a  spirited  lad,  resolves  to  pro- 
ceed to  India,  gain  tidings  of  his  father,  and  help  him  to  escape,  if  possible. 
Accordingly  he  sails  for  Madras,  joins  the  army  under  Lord  Cornwal'.is, 
and  takes  part  in  a  campaign  against  Tippoo.  Afterwards,  he  assumes  a 
disguise;  enters  Seringapatam,  the  capital  of  Mysore;  rescues  Tippoo's 
harem  from  a  tiger;  and  is  appointed  to  high  office  by  the  tyrant.  In  this 
capacity  Dick  visits  the  hill  fortresses,  still  in  search  of  his  father,  and  at 
last  he  discovers  him  in  the  great  stronghold  of  Savandroog.  The  hazard- 
ous rescue  which  Dick  attempts,  and  the  perilous  night  ride  through  the 
enemy's  country  are  at  length  accomplished,  and  the  young  fellow's 
dangerous  mission  is  done.  And  the  end  comes  all  too  soon — so  clever, 
and  plucky,  and  daring  are  the  devices  and  adventures  of  gallant  Dick 
Holland.  • 

A  Knig-ht  of  the  White  Cross:  A  Tale  of  the  Siege  of 

Rhodes.     By  G.  A.  Hexty.     With   12  full-jjage  Illustrations  by 
Ralph  Pe.\cock.     Crown  8vo,  cloth  elegant,  olivine  edges,  6«. 

Gervaise  Tresham,  the  hero  of  this  story,  is  determined  to  follow  a  mili- 
tary career,  and  from  his  father's  friendship  to  the  Grand  Prior  of  the 
Knights  of  St.  John,  he  is  enabled  to  join  that  famous  Order.  Leaving 
England  he  proceeds  to  the  island  stronghold  of  Rhodes,  and  becomes  a  page 
in  the  household  of  the  Grand  Master.  Subsequently,  Gervaise  is  made  a 
Knight  of  the  White  Cross  for  valour  in  a  sea-fight  with  pirates,  while  soon 
afterwards  he  is  appointed  commander  of  a  war-galley,  and  in  his  first  voyage 
destroys  a  Heet  of  Moorish  corsairs.  During  one  of  his  cruises  the  young 
knight  is  attacked  on  shore,  capttn-ed  after  a  desperate  struggle,  and  sold 
into  slavery  in  Tripoli.  He  succeeds  in  escaping,  however,  and  returns  to 
Rhodes  in  time  to  take  part  in  the  splendid  defence  of  that  fortress  when 
it  was  besieged  by  all  the  might  of  the  Turks.  Altogether  a  fine  chivalrous 
tale,  of  varied  interest,  aud  full  of  noble  daring. 

[11]  A 


BLACK  IE  X-  SO::i'S  BOOKS  FOB   YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

BY    G.    A.    HENTY. 

"  Jlr.  Ueiity  is  oue  of  the  best  of  story-tellers  for  yuiiijg  people."— Spectaio**. 


When  London  Burned :  A  story  of  Restoration  Times  and 
the  Great  Fire.  By  G.  A.  Henty.  With  12  page  Illustrations 
by  J.  FlXNEMORE.      Crown  8vo,  cloth  elogant,  olivine  edges,  6s. 

"One  of  the  best  stories  Mr.  Ileuty  has  written." — Tlic  Times. 

"No  boy  needs  to  have  any  story  of  Henty's  reeonnnendeil  to  liini,  and  parents 
who  do  not  know  and  buy  Iiini  for  their  bnys  should  be  aslianieil  of  themselves. 
Those  to  whom  he  is  yet  unknown  could  not  make  a  better  beginniny  than  with 
WIteii  Londua  Bariwd." — Bi  itisli  Weekly. 

BeriC   the    Briton:    a   story  of  tlie   Roman  Invasion.     By 

G.  A.  He.nty.     With  12  page   Illustrations  by  W.   Parkinson. 

Crown  8vo,  cloth  elegant,  olivine  edges,  6s. 

"  We  are  not  aware  that  any  one  has  ir'ven  us  ((iiite  so  vi-rorous  a  picture  of 
Britain  in  the  days  of  tlie  Ki)nian  cnnquest.  Mr.  Ilenty  has  done  his  utmost  to 
make  an  impressive  picture  (.f  the  haughty  E,i>nian  chaiaiter,  with  its  indomitable 
courage,  sternness,  and  discipline.     Beric  is  good  all  through."— Spccia^o)'. 

ThrOUg'h  the  Sikh  War:  A  Tale  of  tlie  Conquest  of  the 
Punjaub.  By  G.  A.  Henty.  With  12  page  Illustrations  by  Hal 
Hurst,  and  a  Map.     Crown  8vo,  cloth  elegant,  olivine  edges,  6.'«. 

"  The  picture  of  the  I'unjaul)  dtn-ing  its  la.st  few  yiars  of  independence,  the 
description  of  the  l)attleson  the  Sutlej,  and  the  j/miraiture  generally  of  native 
character,  seem  admirably  true.  .  .  .  On  the  whole,  we  have  never  read  a  more 
vivid aud  faithful  narrative  of  military  adventure  in  India." — The  Academy. 

With    Lee    in    Virg^inia:     A   story  of   the  American   Civil 

War.     By  G.  A  Henty.     With  10  page  Illn.strations  by  Gordon 

Browne,  and  6  Maps.     Crown  Svo,  cloth  elegant,  olivine  edges,  Qx. 

"  The  story  is  a  capital  one  and  full  of  variety,  and  presents  us  with  many 
picturesque  scenes  of  Southern  life.  Young  Wingfteld,  who  is  conscientious, 
spirited,  an<l  'hard  as  nails',  would  have  been  a  man  after  the  very  heart  of 
Stonewall  Jackson." — Times. 

With  Wolfe  in  Canada:   Or,  TIjc  Winning  of  a  Continent. 

By  G.  A.  Henty.    With  12  page  Illustrations  by  Gordon  Browne. 

Crown  Svo,  cloth  elegant,  olivine  edges,  6s. 

"A  model  of  what  a  boys'  story-book  shouM  be.  Mr.  Ilenty  has  a  great  power 
of  infusing  into  the  dead  facts  of  history  new  life,  and  as  no  pains  are  spared  by 
liini  to  ensure  accur.acy  in  historic  details,  his  books  supply  useful  aids  to  study 
as  well  as  aniusenient."— .S'c/tooi  Guardian. 

The   Dash   for  Khartoum:   a  Tale  of  tlie  ^ile  Expedition. 

By  G.  A.  Henty.    With  10  page  Illustrations  by  J.  Schonberg  and 

J.  Na.SH,  and  4  Plans.     Crown  Svo,  cloth  elegant,  olivine  edges,  6s. 

"  ft  is  literally  true  that  tlio  narrative  never  flags  a  moment;  for  the  inciilents 
which  fall  to  be  recnled  after  tlie  dash  fur  Khartoum  has  been  made  and  failed 
are  <piite  as  interesting  as  those  which  precede  it."-  Academy. 


BLACKIE  X-  SON'S  BOOKS  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 


BY    G.   A.    HENTY. 

'Surely  Mr.  Heiity  should  understand  boys'  tastes  ItUcr  Uian  any  man  living." 

—The  Times. 


Reduced  Illustration  from  "  Wulf  the  .•ia.coa" 


Wulf  the   Saxon:   a  Stmy  of  tlie  Norni;m   Conquest.      By 
G.  A.  Hentv.     With  12  page  Illustrations  by  Ralph  Peacock. 
Crown  8vo,  cloth  elegant,  olivine  edges,  6.9. 
"The  story  shows  Mr.  Henty  at  his  best."— Dailif  CliriDiicIn. 
"  Wvlfthe  Saxiin  is  second  to  none  of  Mr.  TIenty's  histurical  tales,  and  we  may 
safely  say  that  a  boy  may  leai'n  from  it  more  genuine  history  than  he  will  from 
many  a  tedious  tome.     The  ])r)ints  of  the  Saxon  (Hiaracter  are  hit  off  very  happily, 
and  the  life  of  the  period  is  ably  reconstructed." — The  Spectator. 

By  Pike  and  Dyke:  A  Tale  of  the  Rise  of  the  Dutch  Ee- 

public.    By  (i.  A.Mkniy.  With  10  page  Illustrations  by  Maynard 

BuowN,  and  4  Maps.     Crown  8vo,  cloth  elegant,  olivine  edges,  6*-. 

•'The  mission  nf  Ned  to  deliver  letters  fnnii  William  the  Silent  to  his  adherents 
at  Brussels,  the  fi'^ditnf  the  Good  Venti're  witli  the  .Sp^oiisli  man-of-war.  the  battle 
on  the  ice  at  Amstt  rdaiii.  the  sieu^e  of  Haaikni,  are  all  tidd  with  a  vividn^.'ss  and 
skill  whicli  are  wortliy  of  Mr.  Henty  at  his  best.." — Acttdemy. 


ULACKIE  <l-  SOX'S  BOOKS  FOR   YOUXG  PEOPLE. 


BY    G.    A.    HENTY. 

"  Among  writers  of  stories  of  adventure  for  bojs  Mr.  Henty  stands  in  the  very 
first  rank." — Academy. 


The   Lion  of  St.  Mark:   a  Tale  of  Venice  in  the  Fourteenth 

Century.    JJy  (J.  ^V.  Hentv.    With  10  jjage  Illustrations  by  Gordon 

Browne.     Crown  8vo,  cloth  elegant,  olivine  edges,  6s. 

"  Every  boy  shouM  read  The  Lion  of  St.  Mark.  'Slv.  Henty  has  never  produced 
any  story  more  deliglitfiil,  more  whidesimie,  or  nmre  vivacious.  From  first  to 
last  it  will  be  read  with  keen  enjoyment."— T/ie  Saturday  Hevieiv. 

By  Eng-land'S  Aid :  The  Freeing  of  the  Netherlands  (1585- 

1604).     By  G.  A.  Henty.    With  10  page  lUustrations  by  Alfred 

Pe.\RSE,  and  i  Maps.     Crown  8vo,  cloth  elegant,  olivine  edges,  6s. 

"The  story  is  told  with  great  animation,  and  the  historical  material  is  most 
effectively  combined  with  a  most  excellent  pl^^t."— Saturday  Review. 

Under  Drake's  Flag":  a  Tale  of  the  Spanish  Main.  By 
G.  A.  Henty.  Illustrated  by  12  page  Pictures  by  Gordon  Browne. 
Crown  8vo,  cloth  elegant,  olivine  edges,  6.?. 

"There  is  not  a  dull  chapter,  nor,  indeed,  a  dull  page  in  the  book;  but  the 
author  has  so  carefully  workeil  up  his  siihject  that  the  exciting  deeds  of  his 
heroes  are  never  inconyruous  or  -AhftyniX." —Ohiserver. 

Bonnie  Prince  Charlie:  A  Tale  of  Fontenoy  and  Culloden. 
By  G.  A.  Henty.  With  12  page  Illu.strations  by  Gordon  Browne. 
Crown  8vo,  clotli  elegant,  olivine  edges,  6s. 

"Ronald,  the  hero,  is  very  like  the  hero  of  Quentin  Durward.  The  lad's 
journey  ai  rnss  France  with  liis  faithful  attendant  Malcolm,  and  his  hairbreadth 
escar)es  from  the  machinations  of  his  father's  enemies  make  up  as  good  a 
narrative  of  the  kind  as  we  have  ever  read.  For  freshness  of  treatment  and 
variety  of  incident,  Mr.  Henty  has  here  surpassed  hUnseU." —Sijectator. 

"  A  historical  romance  of  the  best  quality.  Mr.  Henty  has  written  many  more 
sensational  stories,  but  never  a  more  artistic  one." — Academy. 

For  the  Temple:  A  Tale  of  the  Fall  of  Jernsalem.  By 
G.  A.  Hentv.  With  10  page  Illustrations  by  S.  J.  Solo.mon,  and 
a  Coloured  Map.     Crown  8vo,  cloth  elegant,  olivine  edges,  68. 

"  Mr.  Henty's  graphic  pro.se  pictures  of  the  hopeless  Jewish  resistance  to  Roman 
sway  adds  another  leaf  to  his  record  of  the  fiunous  wars  of  the  world.  The  book 
is  one  of  Mr.  Henty's  cleverest  eKovi%."— Graphic . 

True  to  the  Old  Flag":  A  Tale  of  the  American  War  of 
Independeiic'-.  I5y  G.  A.  Henty.  With  12  page  Illustrations  by 
GoRt)ON  Browne.     Crown  8vo,  cloth  elegant,  olivine  edges,  6s. 

"  Does  justice  tf»  the  pluck  and  determination  of  the  British  soldiers.  The  son 
of  an  American  loy:illst.  who  reiuiiins  true  to  our  flag,  falls  among  the  hostile  red- 
skins in  tliat  very  Huron  countiy  which  has  been  endeared  to  us  by  the  exploits 
of  Hawkeye  and  Chiiigachgook."  -  The  Tiuicn. 


DLACKIE  d:   SON'S  BOOKS  FOR  YOUNG   I'EOPLE. 


BY    G.    A.    HENTY. 

'Mr.  Heiity  is  the  king  of  stuiy-tellers  foi-  \H>ys,." —toward  and  Trowel. 


Reduced  Illustration  from  "St.  Bartlwlo  mew's  Eve' . 


St.   Bartholomew's   Eve:    a  Tale  of  the  Huguenot  Wars. 

By  G.  A.  Henty.     With  12  page  Ilhistratioiis  by  H.  J.  Dkaper, 

and  a  Map.     Crown  8vo,  cloth  elegant,  olivine  edges,  6s. 

"A  really  noble  story,  wiiieli  ailnlt  readers  will  find  to  the  fnll  as  satisfjiny  as 
the  boys.  Lucky  boys!  t(j  have  such  a  caterer  as  Mr.  G.  A.  Heuty." — Black  and 
Wliite. 

With    Clive    in   India:    Or,  The   Beginnings  of  an   Empire. 

By  (Jr.  A.  Henty.   With  12  page  Illustrations  by  Gokdon  Browne. 

Crown  Svo,  cloth  elegant,  (divine  edges,  6s. 

"Among  writers  of  stories  of  adventure  for  boys  Mr.  Henty  stands  in  the  very 
first  rank  Those  who  know  somethinpr  about  India  will  be  the  most  ready  to 
thank  Mr.  Henty  for  giving  tliem  this  instructive  volume  to  place  iu  the  hands 
of  their  chiUveu."— Academy. 


6  BLACK rn  d-  f^OyS  BOOKS  FOR   VOITSG  PEOPLE 

BY    G.    A.    HENTY. 
"  Air.  Henty  is  one  of  our  most  successful  writers  of  historical  tales." — Scotsman. 


The  Lion  of  the  North :  A  Tale  of  Gustavns  Adolphus  and 
the  Wars  of  lieligiun.  By  G.  A.  Hesty.  With  12  page  Pictures 
by  J.  ScHOXBEKG.     Crown  8vo,  cloth  elegant,  olivine  edges,  6s. 

"A  praiseworthy  attempt  to  intere.st  Britisli  youtli  in  tlie  great  deeds  of  the 
Scotch  Brigade  in  the  wars  of  Gnstavus  .\dolphu&,  JIackay,  Hepburn,  and  Munro 
live  again  in  ilr.  Henty 's  pages,  as  those  deserve  to  live  whose  disciplined  liands 
formed  really  the  germ  of  the  modern  British  army." — AthencBum. 

The     Young"     Carthaginian:     A   Story   of    the   Times   of 

Hannibal.    By  G.  A.  Hentv.    With  12  page  Illu.strations  by  C.  J. 

Staniland,  K.I.     Crown  8vo,  cloth  elegant,  olivine  edges,  6s. 

"  The  effect  of  an  interesting  story,  well  constructed  and  vividly  told,  is  en- 
hanced by  the  picturesque  riuality  of  the  scenic  background.  From  first  to  last 
nothing  stays  the  intere.st  of  the  nanative.  It  bears  us  along  as  on  a  stream 
whose  current  varies  in  direction,  but  never  loses  its  iuTca."— Saturday  Jleciew. 

Redskin  and  Cow-boy:  ATaleof  the  Western  Plains.    By 

G.  A.  Hentv.     With  12  page  Illustrations  by  Alfred  Pearse. 

Crown  8vo,  cloth  elegant,  olivine  edges,  6s. 

"It  has  a  good  plot;  it  abounds  in  action;  the  scenes  are  equally  spirited  and 
realistic,  and  we  can  rjuly  say  we  have  read  it  with  much  pleasure  from  first  to 
last.  The  pictures  of  life  on  a  cattle  raiiche  are  most  grapfiically  painted,  as  are 
the  manners  of  the  reckless  but  jovial  cow-boys." — Times. 

In  Freedom's  Cause :  a  story  of  Wallace  and  Bruce.  By 
G.  A.  Henty.  With  12  page  Illustrations  by  Gordon  Browne. 
Crown  8vo,  cloth  elegant,  olivine  edgesj  6s. 

"His  tale  of  the  days  of  Wallace  and  Bruce  is  full  of  stirring  action,  and  will 
commend  itself  to  buys."— Athenceiim. 

By   Right  of  Conquest:   Or,  With  Cortez  in  Mexico.     By 

(i.  A.  Henty.     With  10  page  Illustrations  by  W.  S.  Stagey,  and 

2  Maps.     Crown  8vo,  cloth  elegant,  olivine  edges,  6s. 

••By  Right  of  ContjiwHt  is  the  nearest  approach  to  a  perfectly  successful  histori- 
cal tale  that  Mr.  Henty  has  yet  published."— ylcade;/(>/. 

In  Greek  Waters:  A  story  of  the  Grecian  W^ar  of  Inde- 
pendence (1821-1827).  By  G.  A.  Henty.  With  12  page  Illus- 
trations by  W.  S.  Stacey,  and  a  Map.  Crown  8vo,  cloth  elegant, 
olivine  edges,  6s. 

"There  are  a<lventures  of  all  kinds  for  the  hero  and  his  friends,  whose  pluck 
and  ingenuity  in  extricating  themselves  from  awkwanl  fixes  are  always  equal  to 
the  occa.sion.  It  is  an  excellent  story,  and  if  the  proportion  of  history  is  smaller 
than  usual,  the  whole  result  leaves  nothing  to  be  deiir^A."— Journal  of  Education. 


BLACKIE  Jb  soys  BOOKS  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE 


BY    G.    A.    HENTY. 

"No  more  interesting  boys'  bonks  are  written  than  Afr.  Henty's  stories." — 

Daily  Chronicle. 

ThrOUg"!!    the    Fray:    A    Story  of  the  Liuklite  Riots.      By 

G.  A.  Hextv.    With  12  page  IHustrations  by  H.  M.  Paget.    Crown 

8vo,  cloth  elegant,  olivine  edges,  6.s-. 

"  Mr.  Heiity  inspires  a  love  and  artniiration  for  straightforwardness,  truth,  and 
cournije.  'I'his  is  one  of  tlie  best  of  the  many  good  books  'S\v.  Heiity  has  produced, 
and  deserves  to  be  classed  with  his  Faciwj  Death." —Standard. 

Captain  Bayley'S  Heir:  a  Tale  of  the  Gold  Fields  of  Cali- 
fornia. By  G.  A.  Henty.  With  12  page  Illustrations  by  H.  M. 
P.vGET.     Crown  8vo,  cloth  elegant,  olivine  edges,  6s. 

"A  Westminster  boy  who  makes  his  way  in  the  world  by  hard  work,  good 
tenijier,  and  unfailing  courase.  'i'he  descriptions  given  of  life  are  just  what  a 
healtliy  intelligent  lad  should  delight  in." — St.  James's  Gazette. 

ThrOUg"h  Russian  Snows:  A  story  of  Napoleon'.s  Eetreat 
from  Moscow.  By  G.  A.  He.n'TY.  With  8  Illu.strations  by  W.  H. 
OvEREND,  and  a  Map.     Cro\vTi  8vo,  cloth  elegant,  olivine  edges,  5s. 

The  hero  of  this  story,  JuHan  Wyatt,  is  a  careless,  good-natui"ed  youth, 
who  becomes,  quite  innocently,  mixed  up  with  smugglers — when  smugghng 
was  common  in  the  south  coa.'^t  of  England.  The  smugglers  carry  him  to 
France,  and  hand  him  over  as  a  prisoner  to  the  French ;  but  he  subse- 
quently recfains  lii.s  freedom  by  joining  Napoleon's  army  in  the  campaign 
against  Rus.sia.  The  young  Englishman  takes  part  in  the  great  battles  of 
Smolensk  and  Borodino,  arriving  at  Moscow  with  the  victorious  Emperor. 
Then,  when  the  terrible  retreat  begins,  Julian  finds  himself  in  the  rear- 
guard of  the  French  army,  fighting  desperately,  league  bj'  league,  agaii.st 
famine,  snow-storms,  wolves,  and  Ru.ssians.  Ultimately  he  escapes,  after 
rescuing  the  daughter  of  a  Russi.an  Count;  makes  his  way  to  St.  Petersburg; 
and  then  returns  to  England.  A  story  this  with  an  excellent  plot,  exciting 
ailventures,  and  splendid  historical  interest. 

In  the  Heart  of  the   Rockies:  A  story  of  Adventure  in 

Colorado.     By  G.  A.  Henty.     With  8  page  Illustrations  by  G.  C. 

HiNDLEY'.     Crown  8vo,  cloth  elegant,  olivine  edges,  5s. 

"  Few  Christmas  books  will  be  more  to  the  taste  of  the  ingenuous  boy  than  In 
the  Heart  of  the  Ilockies." — .Ithen/eidii. 
"Mr.  Henty  is  seen  hei'e  at  his  best  as  an  artist  in  lightning  fiction,  "—^carfemi/. 

One   of   the    28th :   A  Tale  of  Waterloo.     By  G.  A.  Hentt. 

With  8  page  Illustrations  by  W.  H.  Overeno,  and  2  Maps.    Crown 

8vo,  cloth  eleg.ant,  olivine  edges,  .^.s. 

"  Written  with  ITonicric  vigour  and  heroic  inspiration.  It  is  graphic,  pictur- 
esque, and  dramatically  etToctive  .  .  .  shows  us  Mr.  Heiitv  at  his  best  and 
brightest.  The  adveiitiu-es  will  hold  a  boy  of  a  winter's  night  enthralled  as  he 
rushes  through  them  with  hreatliless  interest  'from  cover  to  cover'." — Observer. 


DLACKIK  .t-   SOSS  BOOKS   FOR  YOUNG   PEOPLK 


BY  G.  A.  HENTY. 

"Ask  for  Henty,  and  see  that  you  j^'et  hhxi."— Punch. 


The   Cat    of    BubasteS:    a   Stoiy  of  Ancient   Egypt.      By 

G.  A.  Hentv.     With    8   page   Illustrations   by  J.    R.    Weguelix. 

Crown  8vo,  cloth  elegant,  olivine  edges,  5s. 

"The  story,  from  tlie  critical  iiionieiit  of  the  killing  of  the  sacred  cat  to  the 
perilous  exodus  into  Asia  with  which  it  closes,  is  very  skilfully  constructed  and 
full  of  exciting  adventures.     It  is  admiraldy  illustrated."— ^'a<H;rfa!/  Jieoiew. 

Maori  and  Settler:   a  story  of  the  New  Zealand  War.     By 

ii.  A.  Henty.     With  8  page  Illustrations  by  Alfred  Pe.\rse,  and 

a  Map.     Crown  8vo,  cloth  elegant,  olivine  edges,  5s. 

"It  is  a  hook  which  all  young  people,  hut  especially  boys,  will  read  with 
avidity.   —A  thcna'uia. 

•'  A  first-rate  hook  for  hoys,  hriinful  of  adventure,  of  humorous  and  interesting 
conversation,  and  of  vivid  pictures  of  colonial  liie."^Schoolma.'iter. 

St.    Georg^e  for   England :    a  Tale  of  CVe.ssy  and   Poitiers. 

By  U.  A.  Hexty.      With   8   full-page    Illustrations   by   Gordon 

Browne.     Crown  8vo,  cloth  elegant,  olivine  edge.s,  5s. 

"A  story  of  very  {,'reat  interest  for  ))oys.  In  his  own  forcible  style  the  author 
has  endeavoured  t(j  show  that  determination  and  enthusiasm  can  accomplish  mar- 
vellous results;  and  that  courage  is  generally  aQcompanied  by  magnanimity  and 
gentlenes»."~PaU  Mall  Gazette.  '       =  j 

The  Bravest  of  the  Brave:  With  Peterborough  in  Spain. 
By  G.  A.  Henty.  With  8  full-page  Pictures  by  H.  M.  Paget. 
Crown  Svd,  cloth  elegant,  olivine  edges,  5s. 

"Mi:  Henty  never  loses  sight  of  the  niornl  purpose  of  his  work— to  enforce  the 
doctrine  of  courage  and  truth,  mercy  and  lovini;Uin<lness,  as  indispensable  to  the 
making  of  an  English  gentleman.  IJritish  lads  will  read  The  Biamst  of  the 
Brave  with  pleasure  and  profit;  of  that  we  are  (jnite  sure."  -Daily  Telegraph. 

For    Name   and    Fame:    Or,  Thi.nigli   Afghan  Passes.     By 

G.  A.  Henty.    With  8  full-page  Illustrations  by  Gordon  Browne. 

Crown  8vo,  cloth  elegant,  olivine  edge.s,  5.s\ 

"Not  only  a  rousing  story,  rei)lete  with  all  the  varied  forms  of  excitement  of  a 
campaign,  hut,  what  is  still  more  useful,  an  account  of  a  territory  ami  its  iiibal)i- 
tants  which  must  for  a  long  time  jiossess  a  supreme  interest  for  Englishmen,  as 
being  the  key  to  onr  Indian  ¥.m\,\vc."^Glaxg<nv  Herald. 

A  Jacobite  Exile:  Being  the  Adventure.s  of  a  Young  Enolish- 

man  in  the  .Service  of  Charles  XIT.  of  Sweden.     By  G.  A.  Henty. 

With  8  page  Illustrations  by  Paul  Hardy,  and  a  Map.     Crown 

8vo,  cloth  elegant,  olivine  edges,  5«. 

"Incident  succeeds  incident,  and  adventure  i.s  i)iled  upon  adventure,  an<l  at  the 
end  the  reader,  be  he  boy  or  man,  will  have  cxiicricnced  breathless' enjoyment 
in  a  romantic  story  that  must  have  taught  him  mmk  h  at  its  close  "—Ar  "?/  and 
riavy  Gazette. 


BLACKIE  it  SOti'S  BOOKS  FOR   YOUNG  PEOPLE. 


BY    G.    A.    HENTY. 
"Mr.  Henty's  books  are  always  alive  with  moving  incident." — Review  of  Reviews. 


Condemned  as  a  Nihilist :   a  Story  of  Escape  from  Siberia. 

By  G.  A.  Henty.    With  8  page  Illustrations  by  Walter  Paget. 

Crown  8vo,  cloth  elegant,  olivine  edges,  5s. 

"The  best  of  this  year's  Henty.  His  narrative  is  more  interesting  than  many 
of  tlie  tales  witli  wliicli  the  pnljlic  is  familiar,  of  escai)e  from  Silieria.  iJespiti; 
their  snperior  claim  to  autlientieity  tliese  tales  are  without  doulit  no  less  fic- 
titious than  Mr.  Henty's,  ami  he  beats  them  hollow  in  the  matter  of  sensations  " 
—  Xational  Oli.'<ertH'i\ 

Orange   and    Green:    a  Tale  of   the   Boyne  and    Limerick. 

By  G.   A.   Henty.     With   8   full -page  Illustrations  by  Gordon 

Browne.     Crown  8vo,  cloth  elegant,  olivine  edges,  5.9. 

"The  narrative  is  free  from  the  vice  of  prejudice,  and  ripples  with  life  as 
vivacious  as  if  what  is  being  described  were  really  passing  before  the  eye  .  .  . 
Should  be  in  the  hands  of  every  young  student  of  Irish  history. '—£«//«»•<  Neios. 

Held  Fast  for   England:   a  Tale  of  the  Siege  of  Gibraltar. 

By  G.  A.  Henty.    With  8  page  Illustrations  by  Gordon  Browne. 

Crown  8vo,  cloth  elegant,  olivine  edges,  5.s. 

"Among  them  we  would  place  first  in  interest  and  wholesome  educational 
value  the  story  of  the  siege  of  Gibraltar.  .  .  .  There  is  no  cessation  of  exciting 
incident  throughout  the  atory."— At henceum. 

In  the  Reign  of  Terror:   The  Adventures  of  a  Westminster 

Boy.      By  G.  A.  Henty'.     With  8   full -page   Illustrations  by   J. 

ScHoNBERQ.     C^rown  8vo,  cloth  elegant,  olivine  edges,  5s. 

"Harry  Sandwith,  the  Westminster  boy,  may  fairly  lie  said  to  beat  Mr.  Henty's 
record.  His  adventtnes  will  delight  boys  by  the  audacity  and  peril  they  depict. 
The  story  is  one  of  Mr.  Henty's  best." — Saturday  Review. 

By   Sheer    Pluck:    a  Tale  of  the  Ashanti  War.     By  G.  A. 

Henty.     With  8  full-page  Pictures  by  Gordon  Browne.     Crown 

8vo,  cloth  elegant,  olivine  edges,  5s. 

"  Alorally,  the  book  is  everything  that  could  be  desired,  setting  before  the  boys 
a  bright  and  bracing  ideal  of  the  English  gentleman.  '—C^mtia?!.  Leader. 

The  Dragon  and  the  Raven:  Or,  The  Days  of  King 

Alfred.     By  G.  A.  Henty.     With  S  page  Illustrations  by  C.  J. 

Staniland,  R.I.     Crown  8vo,  cloth  elegant,  olivine  edges,  5s. 

"  A  story  that  may  justly  be  styled  remarkable.  Boys,  in  reading  it,  will  be 
surprised  to  find  how  .Ufreil  persevered,  througli  years  of  bloodshed  and  times 
of  peace,  to  rescue  his  people  from  the  thraldom  (jf  the  Danes.  We  hope  the 
book  will  soon  be  widely  known  in  all  our  schools." — Schoolmaster. 

A    Final    Reckoning:     A   Tale  of   Bush  Life   in  Australia. 

By  G.  A.  Henty.     With  8  page  Illustrations  by  W.  B.  Wollkn. 

Crown  Svo,  cloth  elegant,  olivine  edges,  5.s. 

"  All  boys  will  read  this  story  with  eager  and  unHagging  interest.  The  episodes 
are  in  Mr.  Henty's  very  best  vein  —graphic,  exciting,  realistic;  and,  as  in  all  Mr. 
Henty's  books,  the  tendency  is  to  the  formation  of  an  honourable,  mauly,  and 
even  heroic  character."— £t;'Miut(//(u»t  Post. 


10  BLACKIE  cO  SOS'S  BOOKS  FOR  YOUXG  PEOPLE. 


BY    G.    A.    HENTY. 

"As  publishers  of  bonks  of  adveiitiiie  for  boys  Alessrs.  Blackie  &  6011  have  no 
superiors."— St.  James's  Gazette. 


Facing"  Death :   Or,  The  Hero  of  the  Vaughan  Pit.    A  Tale  ui 

the  Coal  Mines.     By  G.  A.  Henty.     With   8  page  Pictures  In- 

OoiuiuN  PiHowNE.     Crown  8vo,  clotli  elegant,  olivine  edges,  5s. 

"  If  any  fatlior,  j;"'lf;ither,  clergyman,  or  schoohiiaster  is  on  tlie  look-out  for  a 
good  liook  to  give  as  a  pieseiit  to  a  boy  wlio  is  wortli  his  salt,  tliis  is  the  book  we 
would  rei-ouunend." — Standard. 

A    Chapter    of   Adventures:    Or,  Through   the   Bombard- 

munt  of  Alexandria.    By  G.  A.  Henty.    With  6  page  Illustrations 

by  W.  H.  OvEREND.    Crown  8vo,  cloth  elegant,  3s.  6d. 

"Jack  Robson  and  his  two  companions  have  their  fill  of  excitement,  and  their 
chaptei-  of  adventures  is  so  lirisk  anil  entertaining-  we  could  have  wislied  it  longer 
than  it  is.  " — Saturday  Jievieiv. 


Two  Thousand  Years  Ag'O:  Or,  The  Adventures  of  a  Roman 

Boy.     By  Professor  A.  J.  Church.     With  12  page  Illustrations  by 

AnRiEN  Marie.     Crown  8vo,  cloth  elegant,  olivine  edges,  6s. 

"Adventures  well  worth  the  telling.  The  book  is  extremely  entertaining  as 
well  as  useful,  and  tliere  is  a  wonderful  freshness  in  the  Roman  scenes  and 
characters. " — The  Times. 


The  Clever  Miss  Follett.    By  J.  K.  H.  Denny.    With 

\-l  page  Illustrations   by  GERTRUDE  D.   Hammond.      Crown  8vo, 
cloth  elegant,  olivine  edges,  6s. 

"Just  the  book  to  give  to  girls,  who  will  delight  both  in  the  letterpress  and 
the  illustrations.  Miss  Hammond  has  never  done  better  work."— iiVuieitf  of 
Reviews.  ^^^_ 

BY    ROSA    MULHOLLAND. 


Banshee  Castle.    By  Eosa  Mulholland.    with  12  page 

Illustrations   by    JoHN    H.    Bacon.      Crown    8vo,    cloth    elegant, 
olivine  edges,  Qa. 

"One  of  the  most  fascinating  of  Miss  Rosa  Mulholland's  many  fascinating 
st^iries.  .  .  .  'I'he  charm  of  the  tale  lies  in  tlie  telling  of  it  The  three 
hei-oincs  are  admirably  diawn  cliaracters."— ,lf/i(;//rt'"/(i. 

"  Is  told  witli  grace,  and  liiightcned  by  a  knowledge  of  Irisli  folk-lore,  making 
it  a  perfect  jiresent  for  a  girl  in  her  tanws."— Truth. 

Giannetta:  A  Girl's  story  of  Her.self.    By  Rosa  Mulholland. 

With  8  page  Illustrations  by  Lockhart  Bogle.     Crown  8vo,  cloth 

elegant,  olivine  edges,  hx. 

"Oiannetta  is  a  true  heroine— warm-hearted,  self-sacriflciiiL',  and,  as  all  good 
women  nowadays  are,  laigcly  touched  witli  the  enthusiasm  of  humanity.  One 
of  the  most  attractive  gift-books  of  tlie  season."— 77(c  Academy. 


BLACKIE  cO  SON'S  BOOKS  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.  H 


BY    KIRK    MUNROE. 


At  War  with   PontiaC:  Or,  The  Totem  of  the  Bear.      By 

KiKK  jMunrok.      With    8    page    Illustrations    by    J.    Finnemore. 
Crown  8vo,  cloth  elegant,  olivine  edges,  Ss. 

Tliis  is  a  story  of  old  colonial  days  in  America,  when  Detroit  was  a 
fi'ontier  fort,  and  the  shores  of  Lake  Erie  were  held  by  hostile  Indians 
inider  Pontiac,  their  famous  chief.  The  hero  is  Donald  Hester,  a  young 
English  officer,  who  goes  in  search  of  his  sister  Edith,  she  having  been  cap- 
tured by  the  redskins.  Strange  and  terrible  are  his  experiences ;  for  he  is 
wounded,  taken  prisoner,  condemned  to  bo  burned,  contrives  to  escape, 
•and  is  again  captured.  In  all  his  adventures  he  finds  a  magic  talisman  in 
the  Totem  of  the  Bear,  which  was  tattooed  on  his  arm  in  his  childhood  by 
a  friendly  Indian ;  while  in  the  end  there  is  peace  between  Pontiac  and 
the  English,  and  Donald  marries  the  great  chief's  daughter.  One  dares  not 
skip  a  single  page  in  this  most  enthralling  tale. 

The  White  Conquerors  of  Mexico:  a  Tale  of  Toitec  and 

Aztec.     By  Kirk  Munroe.     With  8  page  Illustrations  by  W.  S. 

Stacey.     Crown  8vo,  cloth  elegant,  olivine  edges,  f>s. 

"  Mr.  Munroe  gives  most  vivid  pictures  of  tlie  religions  and  civil  polity  of  tlie 
Aztecs,  and  of  everydaj'  life,  as  he  imagines  it,  in  tlie  streets  and  market-places 
of  the  magnificent  capital  of  Montezuma." — Tlie  Tunes. 


Hig-hwayS  and  High  Seas:  Cjril  Harley'.s  Adventures  on 
both.  By  F.  Frankfort  Moore.  With  8  page  Illustrations  by 
Alfred  Pearse.     Crown  8vo,  cloth  elegant,  olivine  edges,  5s. 

"This  is  one  of  the  best  stories  Jlr.  Moore  has  written,  perhaps  the  very  best. 
The  exciting  a<lventures  are  sure  to  attract  boys." — Spectator. 

"  It  is  pleasant  to  come  across  such  honest  work  as  F.  Frankfurt  ^loore's  Ilinh- 
ways  and  Hiijh  Seas.  Captain  Chink  is  a  real  achievement  in  characterization." 
— Scots  Observer. 


A  Fair  Claimant:  Being  a  Story  for  Girls.  By  Frances 
Armstrong.  With  8  page  Illustrations  by  Gertrdde  D.  Hammond. 
Crown  8vo,  cloth  elegant,  olivine  edges,  5s. 

"  As  a  gift-book  for  big  girls  it  is  among  the  best  new  books  of  the  kind.    The 
story  is  interestuig  and  natural,  from  first  to  last." — Westminster  Gazette. 


The  Heiress  of  Courtleroy.     By  Anne  Beale.    With  s 

page  Illustrations  by  T.  C.  H.  Castle.     Crown  8vo,  cloth  elegant, 

olivine  edges,  5s. 

"We  fan  speak  highly  nf  the  grace  with  which  'Miss  Beale  relates  how  the 
young  '  Hriiess  of  Courtliniy '  hail  such  gnod  iiitluonce  over  her  uncle  as  to  win 
him  from  his  intensely  selfish  \vays."~Giiur(lian. 


12  BLACKIE  .t-  SON'S  BOOKS  FOR    YOUNG  PEOPLE. 


BY    GEORGE    MAC  DONALD. 


A     Roug-h     Shaking".        By   George     Mac  Ponald.     With 

12  pagf  Illustrations  by  W.  Parkinson.    Crown  Svo,  cloth  elegant, 

olivine  edges,  6s. 

"One  of  the  very  t)est  books  for  )>oj's  that  has  been  written.  It  is  full  of 
material  peculiaily  well  adapted  for  the  young,  containinj;  in  a  marked  deyrte 
the  elementts  of  all  that  is  necessary  to  make  up  a  peifect  bojs'  book."— 
Teachers'  A  id. 

At  the   Back   of  the   North   Wind.     By  Geo.  Mac 

DoNAi-D.    With  7;")  Illustrations  by  Arthur  Hughes.     Crown  8vo, 

cloth  elegant,  olivine  edges,  5s. 

"  The  story  Is  thoroiii^hly  original,  full  of  fancy  and  pathos.  .  .  .  We  stand 
with  one  fnot  in  fairyland  and  one  on  common  earth." — The  Times. 

Ranald  Bannerman's  Boyhood.    By  Geo.  Mac  Donald, 

With   ;W   Illustrations  by  Arthur   Hughes.      Crown   Svo,  cloth 

elegant,  olivine  edges,  5s. 

"The  sympathy  with  Imy-nature  in  Ranald  Banneniian'.'^  Buiihood  is  i)eifect. 
It  is  a  beautiful  picture  of  childhood,  teaching  by  its  impressions  and  suggestions 
all  noble  things.  ' — British  Quarterly  Review. 

The  Princess  and  the  Goblin.     By  George  Mac  Donald. 

With  ;i2  Illustrations.     Crown  Svo,  cloth  exti'a,  3s.  6fl. 

"Little  of  what  is  wiittcn  for  children  has  the  lightness  of  touch  and  jilay  of 
fancy  which  are  characteristic  of  (iecuge  Mac  Donald's  fairy  tales.  Mr.  Arthur 
Hughes's  illustrati(Uisare  all  that  illustrations  should  be."     Manchester  Guardian 

The    Princess  and    Curdle.        By  George    Mac  Donald. 

With  8  page  Illustrations.     Crown  Svo,  cloth  extra,  3s.  6d. 

"There  is  the  finest  and  larest  genius  in  this  brilliant  story.  Upgrown  people 
would  do  wisely  occasionally  to  lay  aside  their  newspapers  and  magazines  to 
spend  aTi  h<iur  with  Curdle  and  the  Princess." — Sheffield  Independent. 


BY    HARRY    COLLINGWOOD. 


The    Pirate    Island :    A  Story  of  the   South  Pacific.      By 

Harry  Collingwooo.     With  8  page  Pictures  by  C.  J.  Staniland 

and  J.  K.  Wells.     CVown  Svo,  cloth  elegant,  olivine  edges,  5s. 

"  A  capital  story  of  the  sea;  indeed  in  our  oiiinion  the  author  is  superior  in  some 
respects  as  a  marine  novelist  to  the  better  known  Mr.  Clark  Russell."— 77(e  Times. 

The   Log"  of  the   "Flying"  Fish":    A   story  of  Aerial  and 

Subniarini;  Advonture.      I'.y   Harry  Colling  wood.     With  6  page 

Illustrations  by  (ifjRDON  Browne.    Crown  Svo,  cloth  elegant,  3s.  6c?. 

"The  Flijing  Fish  actually  surpasses  all  Jules  Verne's  creations;  with  incred- 
ible speed  she  Hies  through  the  air,  skims  over  the  surface  of  the  water,  and  darts 
along  the  ocean  bed.  We  strongly  reconunend  our  school-boy  friends  to  possess 
themselves  of  her  log."     Atliend-iini. 

*,*  For  other  Books  by  Harry  ColHngwood,  see  pages  21  and  23. 


BLACK! E  ik  SOX'S  BOOKS  FOR    YOLWG   PEOPLE.  13 


BY    GEORGE    MANVILLE    FENN. 

"  Mr.  Feiin  staiuls  in  tlie  foieniost  rank  of  writers  in  this  department. "—Z>a(7i/ 
NeivH. 


Quicksilver:    Or,  A  Boy  with  no   .Skid    to   liis  AVheel.      By 

George  Manville  Fenn.     With  10  page  Illustrations  by  Frank 

DadI).      Crown  Svo,  cloth  elegant,  olivine  edges,  G.s. 

"  Quicksilrrr  is  littk'  sliort  of  an  inspiration.  In  it  tliat  prince  of  story-writers 
for  hoys  -(■eorge  .Manville  Fenn  -has  surpassed  liiniself.  It  is  an  ideal  book  for 
a  hoy's  lilirary."-  7^(((('''f«i  Teacher. 

Dick  O'  the  Fens:  A  Romance  of  the  Great  East  Swamp.    By 

G.  jManville  Fknn.    With  12  page  Illustrations  by  Frank  Dapd. 

Crown  Svo,  cloth  elegant,  olivine  edges,  6s. 

"We  conscientiously  helieve  tliat  lioys  will  find  it  capital  reading.  It  is  full 
of  incident  and  mystery,  and  the  mystery  is  kept  up  tn  the  last  moment.  It  is 
licli  in  effective  local  colouring;  and  it  lias  a  historical  inteiest."— Twwes. 

Devon   Boys:    A  Tale  of  the  North  Shore.     By  G.  Manville 

Fe.n'n.     With  12  page  Illustrations  by  Gordon  Browne.     Crown 

8 VI),  cloth  elegant,  olivine  edges,  6s. 

"An  admirable  story,  as  remarkable  for  the  indiiiduality  of  its  young  heroes 
as  for  tlie  e.vcelleut  descriptions  of  coast  scenery  and  life  in  North  Devon.  It  is 
one  of  the  best  books  we  have  seen  this  season." — Athenmuiii. 

The   Golden   Mag^net:    A  Tale  of  tlie  Land  of  the  Incas.    By 

G.  Manville  Fenn.     Illustrated  by  12  page  Pictures  by  Gordon 

Browne.     Crown  Svo,  cloth  elegant,  olivine  edges,  6,s. 

"There  could  be  no  more  welcome  present  for  a  boy.  Tliere  is  not  a  dull  page 
in  the  liook,  and  many  will  be  read  with  breathless  interest.  'The  Golden  Mag- 
net' is,  of  course,  the  same  one  that  attracted  Raleigh  and  the  heroes  of  West- 
ward H(j!" — Journal  a/  Education. 

In    the    King-'S    Name :    Or,  The  Cmise  of  the  Kestrel.     By 

G.  Manville  Fenn.     Illustrated  by  12  page  Pictures  by  Gordon 

Browne.     Crown  Svo,  cloth  elegant,  olivine  edges,  Qs. 

"  Tlie  best  of  all  Mr  Fenn's  productions  in  this  field.  It  has  the  great  quality 
of  always  '  moving  on  ',  adventure  following  adventure  in  constant  succession." — 
Daily  News. 

Nat    the    Naturalist:    A  Boy's  Adventures   in   the  Eastern 

Sea.s.    By  G.  Manville  Fenn.    With  8  page  Pictures.    Crown  Svo, 

cloth  elegant,  olivine  edges,  o.s. 

"This  sort  of  book  encourages  independence  of  character,  develops  resource, 
and  teaches  a  boy  to  keep  liis  eyes  upen."— Saturday  Review. 

Bunyip   Land:    Tlie  Story  of  a  Wild  Journey  in  New  Guinea. 

By  G.  AEanville  Fenn.     With  6  page  Illustrations  by  Gordon 

Browne.     Crown  Svo,  cloth  elegant,  4.s. 

"  Mr.  Fenn  deserves  tlie  thanks  of  everybody  for  liaiutip  Land,  and  we  may  ven- 
ture to  jiromise  that  a(iuiet  week  maybe  reckoned  on  whilst  the  youngsters  liave 
such  fascinating  literature  provided  for  their  evenings'  amusement."— fipeciator. 


14  BLACKIE  X-  SOS'S  BOOKS  FOR  YOUXG  PEOPLE. 


BY  GEORGE  MANVILLE  FENN. 

"  No  one  can  find  his  way  to  the  hearts  of  lads  more  readily  tlian  Mr.  Feun." — 
Nottingham  Guardian. 

BrOWnsmith'S  Boy:  A  Romance  in  a  Garden.  By  G. 
Manville  Fkxx.  With  (3  page  Illustrations.  Crowu  8vo,  cloth 
elegant,  3s.  Qd. 

■■  Mr.  t'enn's  hooks  are  anioni;  the  best,  if  not  alto{;eth(  r  the  best,  of  the  stories 
for  boys.     Mr.  Fenn  is  at  his  best  in  Bivwnsinith's  Boy." — Pictorial  World. 


*,*  For  other  Books  by  G.  Manvillb  Fenn,  see  page  22. 


BY    ASCOTT    R.    HOPE. 


Young"  Travellers'  Tales.     By  Ascott  e.  Hope.    WiU. 

tj  lllu.^tratiuiis  by  H.  J.  Dk.\per.     Crown  8vo,  cloth  elegant,  3s.  6d. 

"  Possess  a  hi^'li  vahie  for  instruction  as  well  as  for  entertainment     His  quiet, 
level  liuniour  bubbles  up  on  every  pat;e."  —Daili/  Chronicle. 

"  Excitenitut  and  cheerful  enjoyment  )un  tlirougli  the  hook."— Bookman. 

The  Seven  Wise  Scholars.    By  Ascott  r  Hope,    with 

nearly  lUU  illustrations  by  IxOEDON  Browne.     Cloth  elegant,  5s. 

"As  full  of  fun   as  a  volume  of  Punch;   with  illustrations,  more  laughter- 
provoking  than  most  we  have  seen  since  Leech  died."— Sheffield  Independent. 

Stories    of   Old    Renown:    Tales   of   Knigbts  and   Heroes. 

By  AhcoTT  11.  Hope.    Witli  100  Illustrations  by  Gordon  Browne. 

Crown  8vo,  cloth  elegant,  3s.  6d. 
"  .\  really  fascinating  book  worthy  of  its  telling  title.     There  is,  we  venture  to 
say,  not  a  dull  page  in  the  book,  not  a  story  which  will  not  bear  a  second  read- 
ing."— Guardian. 


Under  False  Colours:  A  story  from  Two  Girls'  Lives. 
By  Sakah  Douuney.  With  6  page  Illustrations  by  G.  G.  Kil- 
burne.     Crown  8vo,  cloth  elegant,  4s. 

"Sarah  Doudney  has  no  superior  as  a  writer  of  high-toned  stories— pure  in 
style  and  original  in  conception  ;  but  we  have  seen  nothing  from  her  pen  equal 
in  dramatic  energy  to  tliis  bdok." — Chrintiun  Leader. 

"Tliis  is  a  cliarmintr  .stnry,  abounding  in  delicate  touches  of  sentiment  and 
patlios.    Its  plot  is  skilfully  contrived."— Sc&<»/;(a»t. 


The  Universe :  <  )rTl)e  infinitely  Great  and  thu  Inlimtely  J^ittle. 
A  Sketch  of  Contrasts  in  Creation,  and  Marvels  revealed  and 
explained  by  Natural  Science  By  F.  A.  PourwET,  ji.d.  With 
272  Engravings  on  wootl,  of  which  f*.'*  arc  full-page  size,  and  4 
Coloured  Illustrations.  Twelfth  Edition,  medium  8vo,  cloth  ele- 
gant, gilt  edges,  7s.  Gd.;  also  morocco  antiijue,  16s. 
"  We  cati  hotjestly  commend  Professor  Pouchet's  book,  which  is  admirably,  as 

it  is  copiously  illustrated."— '/Vie  Timea. 
"Scarcely  any  book  in  French  or  in  English  is  so  likely  to  stimulate  in  the 

young  au  interest  in  the  physical  lihuivnnena."— Fortnightly  Review. 


BLACKIE  X-  SON'S  BOOKS  FOR  YOUSG  PEOPLE. 


15 


BY    DR.    GORDON    STABLES. 


For   Life  and    Liberty:   A  Story  of  Battle  by  Land  and 
Sea.     By  Dr.  Gordon 
Stablks,  R.N.    With  8 
Illustrations   by   Syd- 
ney Paget,  and  a  Map. 

When  in  1861  war  was  de- 
clared in  America  between 
the  North  and  South,  the 
news  greatly  interested  Os- 
mond Lloyd,  who  was  at 
school  in  England.  Being 
of  an  adventurous  spirit, 
and  having  relations  in  the 
States,  the  lad  i-an  away 
from  home  with  his  chum 
Kenneth  Reid,  and  the  two 
made  their  way  to  Amei'ica 
in  the  Mos(/ui(o.  Here  Os- 
mond joined  the  Southern 
army,  while  Kenneth  entered 
the  navy,  and  their  various 
adventures  in  that  great  con- 
flict are  vigorous!}'  set  forth 
in  this  narrative.  Osmond 
was  in  the  army  of  the  Poto- 
mac, took  part  in  all  the 
campaigns,  and  won  praise 
for  his  valour  from  the  famous 
general,  "Stonewall"  Jack- 
son. 


Reduced  Illustration  from  "To  Greenland' 


To  Greenland  and  the  Pole.     By  Gordon  Stables,  m.d. 

With  8  page  Illustrations  by  G.  C.  Hindley,  and  a  Map.     Crown 

8vo,  cloth  elegant,  olivine  edges,  5s. 

"His  Arctic  explorers  have  the  verisiniihtncie  of  life.  It  is  one  of  the  books 
of  the  season,  and  one  of  tiie  best  Mr.  Stables  lias  ever  written."— 3'v»f/i. 

Westward  with   Columbus.      By  Gordon    Stables,  m.d. 

With  8  page  Illustrations  by  A.  I'eakse.     Clotli  elegant,  5s. 

"We  must  place  Westward  with  Colnmbxis  among  those  books  that  all  bojs 
ought  to  read  " — The  Spectator. 

Twixt  School  and  Colleg-e:      a  Tnle  of  Self-reliance.    By 

(xOKDoN  Stables,  cm.,  .m.d.,  r.n.      With  8  page  Illustrations  by 

W.  Parkinson.      Crown  8vo,  cloth  elegant,  olivine  edges,  5s. 

"One  of  th>!  best  of  a  jiroliru;  wi-itor's  books  for  boys,  being  full  of  iivactic-al 
i'lstnictions  as  to  keeping  iiets.  un<l  iiicuUrates  in  a  way  whlfh  a  little  recalls  Miss 
Edge  worth's  'Frank'  the  virtue  of  self-reliance."— yKAe/Keam. 


16  BLACKU:  ct-  SOXS  BOOKS  FOR   YOUXG  PEOPLE 


BY    ROBERT    LEIGHTON. 


Olaf   the   Glorious.     By  Egbert  Leighton.     Witli  8  page 
Illustrations  by  Kalph  Peacock,  and  a  Map.     Crown  8vo,  cloth 
elegant,  olivine  edges,  5s. 
"Is  as  {rood  as  anything  of  tlie  kiml  we  have  met  with.     Mr.  LeiRlitiiii  more 
tliaii  liiilds  his  own  with  Kidor  Hau'^'ard  and  Bariiij;  (h)nh\"—Tlie  Titm  x 

"  Among  the  l)ooks  best  liked  hy  boys  of  the  sturdy  English  type  few  will  take 
a  higher  place  than  Oto/ ?/(e  (r^onoMS " — I^'ational  Observer. 

The  Wreck  of  "The  Golden  Fleece":  The  story  of  a 

North    Sea    Fisher-boy.      By   Kobekt   Leighton.      With    8  page 
Illustrations  by  F.  Brangwyn.     Crown  Svo,  cloth  elegant,  5s. 
"  This  story  should  add  considerably  to  ilr.  Leighton's  high  reputation.     Ex- 
cellent in  every  respect,  it  contains  every  variety  of  incident.    The  plot  is  very 
cleverly  devised,  and  the  types  of  the  North  Sea  sailors  are  capital."— 3'/ie  Times. 

The  Pilots  of  Pomona:  A  story  of  the  Orkney  Islands. 
By  Robert  Leighton.  With  8  page  Illustrations  by  John  Leigh- 
ton,  and  a  Map.     Crown  Svo,  cloth  elegant,  olivine  edges,  5s. 

"  A  story  which  is  (|uite  as  good  in  its  way  as  Treasure  Island,  and  is  full  of 
adventure  of  a  stirring  yet  most  natural  kind.  Although  it  is  primarily  a  boys' 
book,  it  is  a  real  godsend  to  the  elderly  reader.  "—G?a.s(;oH'  Ecening  Times. 

The    Thirsty    Sword:     A   story   of   the   Norse   Invasion   of 
Scotland  (12t)2-6:3).      By  Robert  Leighton.     With  8  page  Illus- 
trations by  A.  Pearse.     Crown  8vo,  cloth  elegant,  ;").■!. 
"This  is  one  of  the  most  fascinating  stories  for  hoys  that  it  has  ever  been  our 
pleasin-e  to  read.     From  first  to  last  the  interest  never  flags.     Boys  will  worship 
Keiiric,  who  is  a  hero  in  every  sense  of  the  wovA." Schoolmaster. 

BY  G.  NORWAY. 


A    Prisoner   of  War:    A    story  of   the  Time  of   Napoleon 
Bonaparte.     By  G.  Norway.     With  6  page  Illustrations  by  Robt. 
Barnes,  a.r.w.s.     Crown  8vo,  cloth  elegant,  'is.  M. 
"  More  hairbi-eadth  escapes  from  death  by  starvation,  by  ice,  liy  fighting,  *c  , 

were  never  before  surmounted.     .     .     .     Tt  is  a  Hne  y&vn."— The  Gvarduin. 

The  Loss  of  John  Humble :  What  Lc<i  to  it,  and  what 

Canit;  of  It.     Jiy  (i.  XuiiWAV.     With  8  page  Illustrations  by  John 
Schonberg.     Crown  Svo,  cloth  elegant,  olivine  edges,  5s. 
"This  stoi-y  will  place  the  author  at  once  in  the  front  rank.     Tt  is  full  of  life 

and  adventiu-e.     The  interest  of  the  story  is  sustained  without  a  bieak  from  first 

to  \a.%t" —Standard. 

A    True    Cornish    Maid.      By  G.   Norway,     with   O  ])age 
Illu.strations  by  J.  Finnemoke.     Crown  Svo,  cloth  elegant,  3.s.  6(7. 
"There  is  some  excellent  reading.    .    .    .    Mrs.  Norway  brings  before  tlie  eyes 
of  her  readers  the  good  Cornish  folk,  their  speech,  their  manners,  and  then-  ways. 
A  Trite  Cornish  Maid  deserves  U)  be  \>o\)\i\a.r"—Alhenmim. 


BLACKIK  d;   SON'S  HOOKS   FOR    YOUNO   PEOl'LE.  17 


With   the  Sea  King's:   a  Stoiy  of  tlie  Days  of  Lord  Nelson. 

By  Y.  H.  WiNDEK.     With  G  page  Illustrations  by  W.  S.  Stacky. 

Crown  8vo,  cloth  elegant,  is. 

"Just  the  book  to  put  into  a  boy's  hands.  Every  chapter  contains  boardings, 
cuttings  out,  fij;htin}i  piiates,  escapes  of  thrilling  audacity,  and  captures  by  corsairs, 
sufficient  to  turn  thf  (juiftest  boys  head,  'i'he  story  culminates  in  a  vigorous 
account  of  the  battle  of  Trafalgar.     Happy  boys  1  "—The  Academy. 


Grettir  the  Outlaw :  A  Story  of  Iceland.  By  S.  Baring- 
Gould.  Witli  (>  page  Illustrations  by  M.  Zeno  Diemek,  and  a 
Coloured  Maji.     Crown  8vo,  cloth  elegant,  4s. 

"  Is  the  boys'  book  of  its  year.  That  is,  of  course,  as  much  as  to  say  that  it 
will  do  for  men  grown  as  well  as  jnniors.  It  is  told  in  simple,  straightforward 
English,  as  all  stories  should  lie,  and  it  has  a  freshness,  a  freedom,  a  sense  of  sun 
and  wind  and  the  open  air,  which  make  it  irresistible.  " — National  Observer. 


Gold,  Gold,  in  Cariboo :  A  story  of  Adventure  in  Britisli 
Columbia.  By  Clivk  ruiLLirrs-WoLLEY.  With  6  page  Illustra- 
tions by  G.  C.  HiNDLEY.     Crown  8vo,  cloth  extra,  3.s-.  6(/. 

"It  would  be  dittieult  to  say  too  much  in  favour  of  Gold,  Gold,  in  Cariboo.  We 
have  seldom  read  a  more  e.veiting  tale  of  wild  mining  adventure  in  a  singularly 
inaccessible  country.  There  is  a  capital  plot,  and  the  interest  is  sustained  to  the 
last  page."— T/if  Times. 


A   Champion   of  the   Faith:   a  Tale  of  PHnce  Hal  and  the 

Lollards.      By  J.   M.  Cai.lwell.      With   6   page  Illustrations  by 

Herbkrt  J.  Draper.      Crown  Svo,  cloth  elegant,  4.s. 

"  Will  not  be  less  enjoyed  than  Mr.  Hentys  liooks  Sir  .John  Oldcastle's  pathetic 
story,  and  the  history  of  his  brave  young  .squire,  will  make  every  boy  enjoy  this 
lively  story.  " — London  Quarterly. 


BY    ALICE    CORKRAN. 


Meg''S  Friend.  By  Alice  Corkran.  With  6  page  Illustra- 
tions by  KoBEKT  Fowler.     Crown  Svo,  cloth  extra,  Ss.  Qd. 

"One  of  Miss  Corkran's  charming  books  for  girls,  narrated  in  that  simi)le 
and  picturesque  style  which  marks  the  authoress  as  one  of  the  first  amongst 
writers  for  young  people.  " — The  Spectator. 

Marg-ery  Merton's  Girlhood.     By  Alice  Corkran.    AVith 

t)  page  Pictures  by  Gordon  Browne.     Cr.  Svo,  cloth  extra,  3.v.  Cul. 

"Another  book  for  girls  we  can  warndy  conmiend.  There  is  a  delightful 
piquancy  in  the  exijerienees  and  trials  of  a  young  English  girl  who  studies 
painting  in  Paris."     Saitirday  Iteririo. 

Down  the  Snow  Stairs:  Or,  From  Good-night  to  Good- 
morning.  By  Alice  Corkran.  With  60  Illustrations  by  Gordon 
Browne.     Crown  Svo,  cloth  elegant,  olivine  edges,  .3s.  6f/. 

"A  gem  of  the  first  water,  bearing  upon  eveiy  page  the  mark  of  genius.  It  is 
indeed  a  Little  Pilgrim's  FTogress."— Christian  Leader. 

B 


18  BLACK  IE  X-  soys  BOOKS  FOR   YOUXG  PEOPLE. 


BY    HUGH    ST.   LEGER. 


Hallowe'en  Ahoy!  Oi,  Lost  on  the  Crozet  Islands.  By 
Hugh  St.  Legek.  With  6  Illustrations  by  H.  J.  Draper. 
Crown  8vo,  cloth  elegant,  4«. 

This  is  the  strange  history  of  the  derelict  Ualloice'en,  in  which  is  set 
forth :  How  she  was  found  on  the  high-soas  beyond  the  equator ;  how  it 
befell  tliat  there  was  only  a  ghost  on  board  ;  how  the  ghost  was  captured  ; 
how  the  vessel  was  cast  ashore  on  a  desert  island  in  the  Southern  Ocean ; 
how  the  crew,  being  Englishmen,  took  the  disaster  cheerily;  and  how  at 
length,  after  many  hardships  and  hairbreadth  escapes,  they  floated  their 
stout  craft,  bringing  her  back  safe  again  to  old  England.  And  in  this 
wonderful  tale  there  is  such  wealth  of  fine  enchantment  that  it  will  warp 
the  hungry  school-boy  from  remembrance  of  his  dinner. 

Sou'wester  and  Sword.  By  Hugh  St.  Leger.  With  6 
page  Illustrations  by  Hal  Hurst.     Crown  8vo,  cloth  elegant,  4s. 

"As  racy  a  tale  of  life  at  sea  and  war  adventure  as  we  have  met  with  for  some 
time.  .  .  .  Altogether  the  sort  of  book  that  boys  will  revel  in.  " — Athenceum. 


BY    EDGAR    PICKERING. 


Two   Gallant   Rebels:  a  story  of  the  (ireat  struggle  in  La 
Vendee.      Jiy  EuGAii  I'lCKERiNG.     With  6  Illustrations  by  W.  H. 
OvEREND.     Crown  8vo,  cloth  elegant,  3s.  6d. 
These  tsvo  rebels  are  two  English  youths  who  are  shipwrecked  and  cast 
ashore  in  La  Vendue,  a  province  of  France.     Here  they  are  rescued  by  the 
inhabitants,  and  in  gratitude  for  this  assistance  they  join  the  Vend^ans 
in  their  revolt  against  the  French  Republic.    The  two  young  fellows  main- 
tain the  English  character  for  pluck  ia  the  various  ambushes  and  battles 
in  which  they  take  part;  and  even  wlien  captured  and  condemned  to  the 
guillotine  they  contrive  to  escajjc  by  sheer  reckless  daring. 

In    Press-Gang"    Days.       By   Edgar   Pickering.     With  6 
Illustrations  Ijy  W.  H.  .Stacey.     Crown  8vo,  cloth  elegant,  3s.  6d. 

"  It  is  of  Mari^vat  we  think  as  we  read  this  delitditfnl  story;  for  it  is  not 
only  a  story  of  adventure  with  incidents  well  conceived  and  arranged,  but  the 
characters  are  interesting  and  well-distinguished." — Academy. 

An    Old-Time  Yarn:   Wherein  is  set  forth  (livers  desperate 

niiscliaiiccs  whicli  Itcfell  Aiitlmny  Ingram  and  his  shipmates  in  the 

West  Indies  and  Mexico  with  Hawkins  and  iJrake.     B}'  ICdgar 

Pickering.     Illustrated  with  (i  page  Pictures  drawn  by  Alfred 

Pearse.     Crown  8vo,  cloth  elegant,  3s.  6d. 

"And  a  very  good  yarn  it  is,  with  not  a  dull  page  from  first  to  last.  There  is  a 
flavour  of  Wcntwaid  Ho!  in  this  attractive  huok."^ Eihicational  Review. 

Silas  Verney  :  A  Tale  of  the  Time  of  Charles  IL     By  Edgar 
PiCKEKiNG.    With  6  page  Illustrations  by  Alfred  Pearse.    Crown 
8vo,  cloth  elegant,  'ix.  iid. 
"  Altogether  this  is  an  excellent  story  for  hoys."— Saturday  Review. 


BLACKIE  d:   SOXS   BOOKS  FOR   YOUXG  PEOl'LE  19 


BY   CHARLES   W.  WHISTLER. 


A  Thane  of  WeSSex:  Being  the  Stoiy  of  the  Great  Viking 
IJaid  of  Slf).  By  Cn.vuLES  W.  Whistler.  With  G  Illustrations 
by  W.  H.  M.\RGETSON.     Crown  8vo,  cloth  elegant,  3.s-.  6rf. 

The  story  of  young  Heregar,  a  thane  in  the  old  kingdom  of  Wessex. 
Wherein  is  finely  sot  forth, — how  he  was  falsely  accused,  and  unfairly  out- 
lawed as  a  traitor;  how  in  his  wanderings  he  discovered  the  war-galleys 
of  the  Vikings,  and  carried  the  War-arrow;  how  he  withstood  the  raidnig 
Danes  at  Bridgwater,  and  gathered  the  levies  at  Glastonbury;  how  he  con- 
trived an  ambush,  and  completely  defeated  the  Vikings  at  Parret  mouth; 
and  how,  at  length,  he  was  inlawed  again,  and  in  reward  of  his  valour  made 
the  King's  Standard-Beai-er.     That  is  the  noble  story  of  Heregar. 

His  First  Kangaroo :  An  Australian  Story  for  Boys.  By 
Arthur  Ferres.  With  6  Illustrations  by  Percy  F.  S.  Spence. 
Crovvn  Svo,  cloth  elegant,  3s.  6cZ. 

This  is  a  story  of  adventure  on  an  Australian  cattle-station.  Dick 
Morrison  accepts  an  invitation  to  spend  a  holiday  in  the  bush,  and  has  a 
good  time.  A  band  of  bush-rangers  also  make  things  lively,  for  on  one 
occasion  the  .station  is  "stuck  up",  while  a  young  Scotsman  is  kidnapped 
and  rescued  with  difficulty.  The  story  is  full  of  healthy  out-of-doors 
adventure,  in  fresh  and  attractive  surroundings. 


Three  Bright  Girls:  A  story  of  Chance  and  Mischance. 
By  Annie  E.  Ak.m.stroxg.  With  6  page  Illustrations  by  W.  Par- 
kinson.    Crown  Svo,  cloth  elegant,  3s.  6rf. 

"Anions  many  good  stories  for  sirls  tiiis  is  tnuloubteJly  one  of  the  very  best." 
— Teachers'  Aid. 

A  Very  Odd  Girl:  or,  Life  at  the  Gabled  Farm.  By  Annie 
E.  Au.MhTKONG.     Illustrated.     Crown  Svo,  cloth  elegant,  3s.  6f/. 

"The  book  is  one  we  can  heartily  recommend,  for  it  is  not  only  bright  and 
interesting,  but  also  pure  and  healthy  in  tone  and  teaching."— r^e  Lady. 

The  Captured  Cruiser:  By  c.  J.  Hyne.    illustrated  by 

Er.\NK  BR.-vNinvyN.     Crown  Svo,  cloth  elegant,  3s.  M. 

"The  two  lads  and  the  two  skippers  are  admirably  drawn.     Mr.  Hyne  has 
now  secured  a  position  in  the  first  rank  of  writers  of  fiction  for  hoys."— Spectator. 


Afloat  at   Last :    a  Sailor  Boy's  Log  of  his  Life  at  Sea.     By 

John  C.  Hutcheson.     Crown  Svo,  cloth  elegant,  3s.  6rf. 

"As  healthy  and  breezy  a  book  as  one  could  wish  to  put  into  the  hands  of 
a  boy." — Academy. 

Picked  up  at  Sea:  Or,  The  Gold  Miners  of  Mintnrne  Creek. 
By  J.  ('.  HuTCHESdN.     With  6  page  Pictures.     Cloth  extra,  3s.  Qd. 


Brother  and  Sister:   Or,  Tlie  Trials  of  the  Moore  Family. 
By  Elizabeth  .T.   Lvsaoht.     Crown  Svo,  cloth  elegant,  3s.  M. 


20  BLACKIE  d:  SOX'S  BOOKS  FOR   YOUXG  PEOPLE. 

The  Search  for  the  Talisman:  a  stoiy  of  Labrador. 

By  Hkxkv    FiUTH.     With  G  page  Illustrations  by  J.  Schonberg. 

Crown  8vo,  cloth  elegant,  3v.  Qd. 

"  Mr.  Frith's  volume  will  be  among  tliose  most  read  and  highest  valued.  The 
adventures  among  seals,  whales,  and  icebergs  in  Labrador  will  delight  many  a 
yoinig  reader." — I'all  Mall  Gazette. 

Reefer  and  Rifleman:  a  Tale  of  the  Two  Services.  By 
Lieut. -Col.  Percy -Grove.s.  With  6  page  Illustrations  by  John 
ScHiiNBERG.     Crown  8vo,  cloth  elegant,  3.s.  fir/. 

"A  good,  old-fasliiont'd.  aiiiijhiliious  story  of  our  tielitini;  witlitlie  Frenchmen  in 
the  beginning  of  our  century,  with  a  fair  sprinkling  of  fun  and  lioXm'—Thnen. 


Dora :  Or,  A  Girl  without  a  Home.    By  Mrs.  R.  H.  Bead.    AVitli 
G  page  Illustrations.     Crown  8vo,  cloth  elegant,  3.5.  6'/. 

"It  is  no  slight  thing,  in  an  age  of  rubbish,  to  get  a  st-ory  so  yiure  and  healUiy 
as  this." — ?'/i<;  Academy. 


Storied  Holidays:    A  Cycle  of  Bed-letter  Days.     By  E.  S. 
Brooks.     With  12  page  Illustrations  by  Howard  Pyle.     Crown 
8vo,  cloth  elegant,  ■>■■<.  (jd. 
"  It  is  a  downright  good  book  for  a  senior  boy.  and  is  eminently  readable  from' 

fll-af  to  hxr^t  "—Srhii(,lii(U.<itcr. 

ChivalriC  Days:  stories  of  Courtesy  and  Courage  in  tlie 
Olden  Times.  By  E.  S.  Brooks.  With  20  Illustrations  by 
CtORT>ox  Browne  and  other  Artists.    Crown  8vo,  doth  extra,  3s.  &d. 

"  We  liave  seldr)ni  come  across  a  prettier  collection  of  tales.  These  charming 
stories  of  hoys  and  girls  of  olden  days  are  no  mere  fictitious  or  imaginary  sketches, 
but  are  real  and  aclual  records  of  their  sayings  and  doings." — Literary  World. 

Historic   Boys:    Their  Endeavours,  their  Achieven)ents,  and 

their  Times.      By  E.  S.  Brooks.     With  12  page  Illustrations  by 

R.  B.  Birch  and  .John  Schonberg.    Crown  8vo,  cloth  e.xtra,  3s.  6f/. 

"  A  wholesome  book,  manly  in  tone,  its  character  sketches  enlivened  by  brisk 
dialogue  and  high-class  illustrations:  altogether  one  that  should  incite  boys  to 
further  ac(|uaintance  with  those  rulers  of  men  whose  careers  aie  narrated.  We 
advise  teachers  to  put  it  on  their  list  of  prizes."— Knowledge. 


Dr.   JollifFe's   Boys:  A  Tale  of  Weston  School.     By  Lewis 

Hough.     With  6  page  Pictures.      Crown  8vo,  cloth  extra,  S.'?.  6f/. 

"Young  people  who  appreciate  Tom  Bromi'n  !?cliool  days  will  find  tluH  story  a 
worthy  coni|>aiiion  tf>  that  fascinating  book.  There  is  the  same  manline.ss  of  tone, 
triithtnhiess  of  outline,  avoidance  of  exaggeration  and  caricature,  and  healthy 
morality  a»  characterized  the  masterpiece  of  Mr,  Hughes."—  Neiccattle  Journal. 


The  Bubbling"  Teapot,  a  AVonder  story.  By  Mrs.  L.  w, 
Champney.  With  12  page  Pictures  by  Walter  SatteklhTE. 
Crown  8vo,  cloth  extra,  3.».  6cZ. 

"Very  literally  a  'wonder  story',  and  a  wild  and  fanciful  one.  Nevertheless' 
it  is  made  realistic  enough,  and  there  is  a  good  deal  of  infoimation  to  he  gained 
from  it.".-The  Tiniex. 


tiLACKlE  .f;  5'OiYS  HOOKS  FOR   YOUSG  PEOPLE. 


21 


Thorndyke   Manor:    a  Tale  of  Jacobite  Times.     By  Mary 

C.  RowsELL.     With  6  page  Illustrations  by  L.  Lk.slie  Brooke. 

Crown  8vo,  cloth  elegant,  3.s.  &d. 

"Miss   RoHsell   has   never  written  a  more  attractive   book  than   Thurndyke 
Manor." — Belfast  i^eivs- Letter. 

Traitor  or   Patriot?    a  Tale  of  the  Rye-House  Plot.     By 

IMary  C.  Ruw.sei.i,.     Illustrated.     Crown  8vo,  cloth,  Ss.  6(/. 

'•  Here    the   Rye-Hmisu    I'lut  serves  as  tliu  grduiidwdik  for  a  nmiantic  love 
episode,  wliose  true  charaiters  are  lifelike  beings."— G'/n^z/Hc. 


BLACKIE'S    NEW   THREE-SHILLING    SERIES. 

Beautifully  Illustrated  and  Hainl.soiiiely  Bound. 


Hussein   the   Hostag-e:    Or,  a  Boy's  Adventures  iu  Persia. 

By  G.  Norway.    With 

6  page  Illustrations  by 

John  Schonberg.  Neio 

Edition.      Crown    8vo, 

cloth  elegant,  3s. 

"Hussein  the  Hostafje  is  full 
of  originality  and  vip;oiir.  The 
chaiacters  are  lifelike,  there  is 
plenty  of  stirring  incident,  the 
interest  is  sustained  tludiigli- 
out,  and  every  hoy  will  enjoy 
following  the  fortinies  of  the 
hero." — Journal  of  Education. 

Cousin         Geoffrey 

and  I.  By  Caroline 

Austin.     With  6  page 

Illustrations      by      W. 

Parkinson.    JVcw  E<I!- 

tion.    Crown  8vo,  cloth 

extra,  3s. 

"  Miss  Austin's  story  is  bright, 
clever,  and  well  developed." — 

Saturday  lieview. 

The  Congo  Rovers: 

A  Story  of  the  Slave 
S(piadron.     By  Harry 

COLLINGWOOI).       With  t)         llfdlU-rd    Ith'^lidlinil  J,;,,il    ■    Louslll   ijrnji,;  y". 

page  Illustrations  by  J. 

ScHiiNBERG.     Crown  8vo,  cloth  elegant,  3s. 

"  Xo  better  sea  story  hns  lately  been  written  than  the  Conijo  Hovers.     It  is  as 
origMial  as  any  boy  could  desire." — Morning  Post. 


22  BLACEIE  a,-  SOS'S  BOOKS  FOR  YOUyG  PEOPLE. 


THREE-SHILLING    SERIES— Continued. 


Under  Hatches:  or,  Ned  Woodtliorpe's  Adventures.     By  F. 

Fkankfort  Mouke.     With  6  page  Illustrations  by  A.  Forestier. 

Crown  8vo,  cloth  elegant,  3s. 

"The  story  as  a  stmy  is  one  tliat  will  just  suit  boys  all  the  world  over.  The 
characters  are  well  drawn  and  consistent;  Patsy,  the  Irish  steward,  will  be  found 
especially  amusing." — Schoolmaster. 

MenhardoC:    A  story  of  Cornish   Nets  and  Mines.     By  G. 

^Manvili.f:  Fenn.     With  6  page  Illustrations  by  C.  J.  Staniland, 

R.I.     Crown  Svo,  cloth  e.\tra,  3.v. 

"They  are  real  livini;  boys,  with  their  virtues  and  faults.  The  Cornish  fisher- 
men are  drawn  from  life,  and  stand  out  from  the  pnjres  in  their  jerseys  and 
sea-boots  all  sprinkled  with  silvery  pilchard  scales."— Spectator. 

Yussuf  the   Guide:  or,  The  Mountain  Bandits.     A  Story  of 

iStrauge  Ad\euture  in  Asia  Minor.     By  G.  Manville  Fenn.    With 

6  page  Illustrations  by  J.  Schonberg.     Crown  Svo,  cloth  extra,  3s. 

"Told  with  such  real  freshness  and  vigour  that  the  reader  feels  he  is  actually 
one  of  the  party,  sharing  in  the  fun  and  facing  the  dangers."— Paii  Mall  Gazette. 

Robinson     Crusoe.       With    lOO    illustrations    by    Gordon 

liuowNE.     Crown  Svo,  cloth  extra,  2s. 

"One  of  the  best  issues,  if  not  absolutely  the  best,  of  Defoe's  work  which  has 
ever  appeared."— T/ie  Standard. 

Gulliver's  Travels.        With    lOO   illustrations   by   GoEDON 

IjEOWxe.     Crowu  Svo,  cloth  extra,  3s. 

"  Mr.  Gordon  Browne  is,  to  my  thinking,  incomparably  the  most  artistic, 
spirited,  and  brilliant  of  our  illustrators  of  books  for  boys,  and  one  of  the  most 
humorous  also,  as  his  illustrations  of  'Gulliver'  amply  testify."— r/-M<A. 

Patience   Wins:    or,  War  in  the  Works.     By  George  Man- 
ville Fenn.  With  6  page  Illustrations.     Cr.  Svo,  cloth  extra,  3s. 

"  Ifr.  Fenn  has  never  hit  upon  a  happlei'  plan  than  in  writinc  this  story  of 
Yorkshire  factory  life.    The  whole  book  is  all  aglow  with  life." — Pall  Mall  Gazette. 

Mother   Carey's   Chicken:    Her  Voyage  to  the  Unknown 

Isle.     By  G.  Manville  Fenn.     With  6  page  Illustrations  by  A. 

Forestier.     Crown  Svo,  cloth  extra,  3.?. 

"  Undoubtedly  one  of  the  best  Mr.  Kenn  has  written.  The  incidents  are  of 
thrilliri'„'  interest,  while  the  characteis  are  drawn  witli  a  care  and  completeness 
rarely  found  in  a  boy's  book." — Literaiy  IVorlJ. 

The  Wigwam  and  the  War-path:  stories  of  the  Eed 

Indians.    By  AscoTT  R.  Hope.    With  6  page  Illustrations.    Crown 

Svo,  cloth  elegant,  3s. 

"I»  notably  good  It  gives  a  very  vivid  picture  of  life  among  the  Indians, 
which  will  delight  the  heart  of  many  a  schoolboy." — Spectator. 


DLACKIE  cD  30N-S  BOOKS  FOR  YOU^G  PEOPLE.  23 


THREE-SHILLING    SERIES— Continued. 


The  Missing  Merchantman.     By  Harrv  Collingwood. 

With  6  page  Illustrations  by  W.  H.  Overend.     Cloth  extra,  3s. 

"  One  of  the  author's  best  sea  stories.  1'he  hero  is  as  heroic  as  any  boy  could 
desii'e,  and  the  ending  is  extremely  \\A\)\>y."—BiUiiih  Weekly. 

The  Rover's  Secret:  A  Tale  of  the  Pirate  Cays  and  Lagoons 

of  Cuba.    By  Harry  Collingwood.    With  6  page  Illustrations  by 

W.  C.  Syjioxs.     Crown  8vo,  cloth  elegant,  3s. 

"  The  Rover's  Secret  is  by  far  tlie  best  sea  story  we  have  read  for  years,  and  is 
certain  to  give  unalloyed  pleasure  to  boys." — Saturday  Review. 

Perseverance   Island:  or,  The  Eobinson  Crusoe  of  the  19th 

Century.       By   Douglas    Frazar.       With    6    page    Illustrations. 

Crown  8vo,  cloth  extra,  3s. 

"Tliis  is  an  interestintr  story,  written  with  studied  simplicity  of  style,  nuieh  in 
Defoe's  vein  of  apparent  sincerity  and  scrupulous  veracity;  while  fm-  practical 
instruction  it  is  even  better  than  Robinson  Crusoe." — Illustrated  London  News. 

Girl   Neighbours:   or,  Tlie  OKI  Fashion  and    the  New.     By 

Sauah  Tvtlek.     With   6   page   Illustrations  by  C.  T.  Garlaxd. 

Crown  8vo,  cloth  elegant,  3s. 

"  One  of  the  most  effective  and  quietly  humorous  of  ifiss  Sarah  Tytler's  stories. 
It  is  very  healthy,  very  agreeable,  and  very  well  written." — The  Spectator. 


BLACKIE'S    HALF-CROWN    SERIES. 

Illustrated  by  eminent  Artists.     In  crown  8vo,  cloth  elegant. 


A  Musical   Genius.     By  the  Author  of  the  "Two  Dorothys". 
Illustrated  by  JoHX  H.  Bacon. 

Hugo  Ricardo  has  a  genius  for  the  violin,  and  is  adopted  by  a  wealthy 
musical  amateur  who  has  discovei-ed  his  special  gift.  The  lad  studies 
hard,  and  fulfils  the  highest  expectations  of  his  new  friend.  But  he  never 
quite  forgets  his  humble,  unselfish  brother  the  conjurer ;  and  when  he  is 
called  upon  to  make  choice  between  affection  for  his  brother  and  a  wealthy 
home,  he  qiiickly  chooses  the  former.  The  charm  of  this  tale  is  in  its 
naturalness,  and  in  the  engnoing  self-sacrifice  of  the  two  noble  brother.*. 

Fop  the  Sake  of  a  Friend :  a  story  of  School  Life.  By 
Margaret  Parker.  Illustrated  by  G.  Demain  Hammond. 
Stories  of  school  life  are  common  enough,  but  this  tale  of  a  girls'  school 
in  Melbourne  is  quite  new.  The  vivacity  of  these  Australian  girls  is  not 
less  attractive  than  the  home-like  brightness  and  freedom  of  the  school. 
The  heroine,  Susie  Snow,  and  her  friend,  Trixie  Beresford,  arc  the  sweetest 
and  cleverest  of  girls,  and  although  there  are  jealousies,  mistakes,  and 
misunderstandings  among  the  pupils  at  Stormont  House,  yet  all  comes 
right  in  the  end. 


24  BLACKIE  <t  SON'S  BOOKS  FOR   YOUJSG  PEOPLE. 


HALF-CROWN    SERIES— Continued. 


Under  the  Black  Eag'le.    By  Andrew  Hilliard.    illus- 
trated by  W.  BuLCHKU. 

Ernest  Wentworth  is  an  English  lad  resident  in  Russia,  and  his  great 
chum  is  a  student  called  Gregoneff.  As  this  student  has  secret  dealings 
with  Nihilists,  the  two  friends  become  suspected  of  plots,  and  the  final 
result  is  that  both  are  apprehended,  and  exiled  to  Siberia.  On  the  journey 
they  contrive  to  leap  from  the  convict-steamer,  swim  ashore  in  the  dark- 
ness, escape  from  their  pursuers,  and  make  their  way  across  "  the  Roof  of 
the  World  "  into  Northern  India. 

The  Secret  of  the  Australian  Desert.     By  Ernest 

F.vvENi'.  With  4  Il]ustrati(jns  by  Percy  F.  S.  Spence. 
Three  white  men,  and  a  blackfellow  called  Billy  Buttons,  start  on  an 
exjjcdition  into  the  great  Australian  desert.  Strange,  uncanny,  and  ter- 
rible are  their  experiences  in  that  vast  wilderness.  They  meet  with  the 
cannibal  Warlattas;  find  a  mysterious  burning  mountain  ;  discover  traces 
of  the  lost  explorer.  Dr.  Leichhardt ;  and  only  arrive  back  at  theii-  cattle- 
station  after  long  and  grievous  wandering  in  the  waterless  desert.  The 
vivid  actiiality  of  this  enthralling  narrative  is  due  to  the  fact  tlmt  the 
author  has  taken  the  material  from  his  own  thrilling  experiences. 


A   Little  Handful.      By  Harriet  J,  Scripps. 

••  He  is  a  leal  tvjn-  of  a  hoy."'~The  Schoolmaster. 

A  Golden  Ag-e  :   A  story  of  Four  Merry  Children.     By  Ismav 
Thoh.n.     Illustrated  by  Gordon  Browne. 
"  Ought  to  have  a  place  of  honour  on  the  nursery  shelf.'— 27ie  AthencKum. 

A  Roug-h   Road:   or,  How  tlie  Boy  Made  a  Man  of  Himself. 
Jjy  Mrs.  (>.   l.i.NN.EUs  B.vnks. 
"Mrs.  Banks  has  not  written  a  better  book  than  A  Rnvgh  Road." —Spectator. 

The  Two  Dorothys.     By  Mr.s.  Herbert  Martin. 

"  X  Ijook  tliat  will  interest  and  please  all  girls." — The  Lady. 

Penelope  and  the  Others.    By  Amy  Walton. 

"  riiis  is  a  cliarniin;;  Ixiok  for  cliiMien.     Miss  Walton  proves  herself  a  perfect 
ailept  in  understanding  of  school-room  joys  and  sorrows.  " — Christian  Leader. 

A  Cruise   in   ClOUdland.      By  Henry  Frith. 

"  A  tljoioii'.;hly  iiiti-ie.-tiiiu  story." — St.  James's  Gazette. 

Marian  and  Dorothy.     By  Annie  E.  Armstrong. 

"  This  is  distinctively  a  book  for  girls.    A  bright  wholesome  &toiy."— Academy. 

StimSOn'S   Reef:   a  Tale  of  Adveutm-e.      By  C.  J.  Hyne. 

"It  may  almost  vie  with  Mr.  K.  L.  Stevenson's  Treasure  Island."— Guardian. 

Gladys   Anstruther.      By  Louisa  Thompson. 

•  It  ij  a  clever  book  ;  novel  ami  stiiking  in  Die  highest  degree  "—ScAooZmi8«re«s. 


UL.ICKIE  it  soys  LOOKS  FOR   YObWG  t'BOPLt:. 


HALF-CROWN    SERIES-Continued. 


BY    BEATRICE    HARRADEN. 


Bv  Bkatrke    Haiip.adk^ 


Things   Will  Take  a  Turn 

With  44  Illiistnitic.iis 
by  John  H.  Bacon. 
Crown  8vo,  cloth  ele- 
gant, 2s.  6(/. 

"  Peiiiaps  the  most  hril 
liaiit  is  TJiuijs  Will  Take  a 
Turn.  ...  A  tale  of  humble 
cliiUl  life  ill  Ka-t  [.nnddii  It 
is  ii  delif;litful  li]eii<lili'-r  <if 
lometly  iuni  tiafjtedy,  with  an 
e.xcellcnt  plut." — The  Tiinen. 


The  Whispering- 
Winds,  ;ii)(l  tlie 
Tales  tliat  they  Told. 
By  RIaky  H.  Deben- 
HAJI.  With  25  Illus- 
trations by  Paul 
Hardy.  Crown  8vo, 
cloth  elegant,  2s.  6f/. 

"We  wish  the  winds  would 
tell  us  stories  like  these.  It 
wouM  he  woitli  while  to  climb 
Primriise  Hill,  or  even  to  the 
}ri<idy  lieij^hts  of  Hainpstead 
Heath  in  a  bitter  east  wind, 
if  we  could  oidy  be  sure  of 
hearing  such  a  sweet,  sad, 
tender,  and  stirring  story  as 
tliat  of  Hilda  Brave  Heart,  or 
even  one  tliat  was  half  so 
good."— >4c«rfc//ii/.  From  "  Things  u'ill  Take  a  Tani".    (^Reduced) 

Hal   Hungerford.      By  J.  E.  Hutchinson,  b.a. 

'•  Altogetlier,  Hal  Hungerford  is  a  distinct  literary  success."— Spectator. 

The  Secret  of  the  Old  House.     By  E.  Everett-Green. 

■•'I'iin,  the  little  .lacobite,  is  a  cliunning  creation."— .4(;«'7<'j;(i/. 

The  Golden  Weathercock.     By  Julia  i^oddard. 

'■  A  cleverly  conceived  quaint  story,  ingeniously  written."— Sa(i(crfoi/  Review. 

White   Lilac:   or,  The  Queen  of  the  May.     By  A. my  Wai.tu.v. 

••  Every  rural  ii.uish  ought  to  add  White  Lilac  to  its  library."— vl <.•«(/(•//()/. 

Miriam's  Ambition.      By  Evelyn  Everett-Green. 

'•  Miss  Green's  ihildreii  are  real  British  boys  and  sh-\s."-'Liverpuul  Mercimj. 

The   Brig  "Audacious".     By  Alan  Cole. 
"Fresh  and  wholesome  as  a  breath  of  sea  air."— Cow/i  Journal. 


20  DLACRlE  <jfc  soli's  nooks  FOR   YOCSti  I'EOl'LR. 


HALF-CROWN    SERIES-Continued. 


The  Saucy  May.     By  Henry  Fkith. 

'•  Mr.  Kritli  jrivesa  new  picture  of  life  on  tlie  ocean  wave." — Sheffield  Independent. 

Jasper's  Conquest.     By  Elizabeth  J.  Lysaght. 

"Out;  of  the  liest  Ixiys  Imoks  of  tlie  sea.&on."— Schoolmaster. 

Little   Lady  Clare.     By  Evelyn  Everett-Green. 

"Keminils  us  in  its  quaintness  of  Mrs.  Ewing's  delightful  tales." — Liter.  World. 

The  Eversley  Secrets.    By  Evelyn  Everett-Green. 

"  \\''\  Kvur.-^li-y  is  a  v,  rv  timcldiig  |>ictuie  of  higli  principle." — Guardian. 

The  Hermit  Hunter  of  the  Wilds.    By  G.  Stables,  r.n. 

"  Will  gladden  the  heart  of  many  a  bright  boy." — Methodist  Recorder. 

Sturdy  and  Strong".     By  G.  A.  Henty. 

"  .\  111  TO  ulio  stands  as  a.Lrond  instanceof  chivalry  in  domestic  life  " — The  Empire. 

Gutta  Percha  Willie.     By  George  Mac  Donald. 

'•  Get  it  for  your  boys  and  girls  to  read  for  themselves." — Practical  Teacher. 

The  War  of  the  Axe :  Or,  Adventures  in  South  Africa.     By 
J.  Pkuuy-Gkoves. 
"The  story  is  well  and  brilliantly  told." — Literary  World. 

The  Lads  of  Little  Clayton.     By  e.  Stead. 

■  •  A  ca[)ital  book  for  boys. " — Schooliiiaster. 

Ten    Boys   wlio  lived  on  the  Eoad  from   Long  Ago  to  Now. 
By  Jane  Andrews.     With  20  Illustrations. 
"  The  idea  is  a  very  happy  one,  and  admirably  carried  out."— Practical  Teacher. 

A  Waif  of  the  Sea:  Or,  The  Lost  Found.     By  Kate  Wood. 

•■  W  litten  witli  tenderness  and  grace." — Momiyiy  Advertiser. 

Winnie's  Secret.     By  Kate  Wood. 

"  One  of  the  l>est  story-books  we  have  read." — Schoolmaster. 

Miss  WillOWburn's  Offer.     By  Sarah  Doudney. 

"  I'aticnci-  WillowliiirM  is  one  of  Miss  Doudney's  best  creations."— .Specfator. 

A  Garland  for  Girls.     By  Louisa  M.  Alcott. 

"  'I'hese  little  tales  are  the  beau  ideal  of  girls'  stories."— C/trt.s<i«)i  World. 

Hetty  Gray:   Or,  Nobody's  Bairn.     By  Rosa  Mulholland. 
"  Hetty  iH  a  delightful  creature— piquant,  tender,  and  true."— World. 

Brothers  in   Arms:    A  story  of  the  Crusades.     By  F.  Bay- 

yiHU)   IfAKKISd.V. 
"Sure  to  prove  interesting  to  young  people  of  both  sexes."  —  Guardian. 

Miss  Fenwick's  Failures.    By  Esme  Stuart. 

"  .\  .'ill  true  {■•  real  lif.-.  who  will  put  no  nonsense  into  young  heads."— GrapAic. 

Gytha'S  Message.     By  Emma  Leslie. 
"This  is  the  sort  of  book  that  all  girls  like."— yow/iai  of  Education. 


BLACKIE  cL-  SON'S  BOOKS  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 


27 


HALF-CROWN    SERIES— Continued. 


By  Skelton  Kuppord.     Illus- 


Hammond's  Hard  Lines. 

trated  by  Harold 
Copping. 

"  The  story  is  very  clever 
and  provocative  of  laughter.  " 
— Standard. 

"  It  is  just  what  a  boy  would 
choose  if  tlie  selection  of  a 
story-book  is  left  in  his  own 
hand." — School  Guardinn. 

DulcieKing:  a  story 

for  Girls.  By  M. 
Corbet  -  Seymour. 
Illustrated    by    Gkr- 

TRUDE  D.   Ha.M.MOND. 

"An  extremely  graceful, 
well-tolil  taleo'  domestic  life. 
.  .  .  The  heroine,  Dulcie,  is  a 
charming  person,  and  worthy 
of  the  good  fortune  which  she 
causes  and  shares." — Guar- 
dian. 

Hugrh  Herbert's  In 
heritance.      By 

Caroline  Austin. 
With  4  page  Illus- 
trations by  C.  T. 
Garland. 

"Will  please  by  its  simpli- 
city, its  tenderness,  and  its 
healthy  interesting  motive.    It  is  admirably  written." — Scotsman. 

Nicola:  The  Career  of  a  Girl  Muiiir-i.ni.     By  M.  Corbet-Sey- 
mour.     Illustrated  by  Gektrude  D.  Haji.MOND. 

Jack  O'  Lan thorn :  a  Tale  of  Adventure.    By  Henry  Frith. 

My  Mistress  the  Queen.    By  M.  A.  Paull. 
The  Stories  of  Wasa  and  Menzikoff. 
Stories  of  the  Sea  in  Former  Days. 
Tales  of  Captivity  and  Exile. 
Famous  Discoveries  by  Sea  and  Land. 
Stirring"  Events  of  History. 
Adventures  in  Field,  Flood,  and  Forest. 

"It  would  be  difficult  to  place  in  the  hands  of  yountr  people  books  which 
combine  interest  and  instruction  in  a  higher  degree." — Manchester  Courier. 


Reduced  Illustration  from  "  Hammond's  Bard  JAneg 


28  liLACKIE  A  SOX'S  BOOKS  FOR   YOUSG  PEOPLE. 


BLACKIE'S    TWO-SHILLING    SERIES. 

Illustrated  by  eminent  Artists.     In  crown  8vo,  cloth  elegant. 

XEW   VOLUMES. 

In  the  Days  of  Drake.     Being  the  Adventures  of  Humphrey 
Salkeld.    By  J.  y.  Fletchek.  With  Illustrations  by  W.  S.  Stagey. 

Wilful  Joyce.      P>y  W.  L.  Roofer.     Illustrated  by  Harold 

(  '(il'PIXc. 

Proud  Miss  Sydney.      By  Geraldine  Mockler.   illustrated 
l)y  G.  Deiiain  Hammond. 

The  Girleen.      By  Edith  Johnstone.     Illustrated  by  Paul 
IIakdv. 


The  Org-anist's  Baby.      By  Kathleen  Knox. 
School-Days   in   France.      By  An  Old  Girl. 

The  Ravensworth  Scholarship:  A  High  School  Story 

fmfiirls.      ]5y  I\Ii«.  Hkmiv  Clauke. 

Queen  of  the  Daffodils :   A  story  of  High  School  Life.    By 
Leslie  Laing. 

Raff's   Ranche:    a  story  of  Adventure  among  Cow-boys  and 
Jiiiliiuis.      Ijy  I''.  ]\r.  IToL.MKS. 

An  Unexpected  Hero.     By  Eliz.  .l  Lvsaght. 

The  Bushrang-ers  Secret.     By  Mrs.  Henry  Clarke,  m. a. 
The   White   Squall.      By  John  C.  Hutcheson. 

The  Wreck  of  the  "Nancy  Bell".    By  J.  c.  Hutcheson. 
The  Lonely  Pyramid.     By  j.  H.  Toxall. 

Bab:  or,  The  Triunipli  of  Unselfishness.  By  Ismay  Thorn. 
Brave  and  True,  and  other  stories.  By  Gregson  Gow. 
The   Lig-ht    Princess.     By  George  Mac  Donald. 

Nutbrown  Rog-er  and  I.     By  J.  ll.  Yoxall. 

Sam  Silvan's  Sacrifice.     By  Jesse  Colman. 

Insect  Ways  on  Summer  Days  in  GaKhn,  Forest,  Field, 

ami  Strt;am.     Jjy  .Je.n.neit  llu.MruKEV.s.     With  7U  Illustnitiuns. 
Susan.     By  Amy  Walton. 
A  Pair  of  Clog's.     By  Amv  Walton. 
The   Hawthorns.      By  Amv  Walton. 
Dorothy's   Dilemma,      i'.y  Caroline  Austin. 


ULACKIE  d-  SOX'S  BOOKS  FOR    YOUNG  rEOl'LE.  29 


TWO-SHILLING    SERIES-Continued. 


Marie's  Home.     By  Caroline  Austin. 

A   Warrior   King".      By  J.  Evelyn. 

Aboard  the    "Atalanta".      By  Henry  Frith. 

The  Penang  Pirate.    By  John  c.  Hutcheson. 

Teddy:  The  Stnry  nf  a  -  Little  Pickle  ".   By  John  ( ,'.  Hutcheson. 

A   Rash   Promise.      By  Cecilia  Selby  Lowndes. 

Linda  and  the  Boys.     By  Cecilia  Selby  Lowndes. 

Swiss  stories  for  Children.     From  the  German  of  Madam 
Johanna  Spyri.     By  Lucv  Wheelock. 

The  Squire's  Grandson.     By  J.  M.  Callwell. 

IWag'na  Charta  Stories.     Edited  by  Arthur  Gilman,  a.m. 

The     Wing's     of     Courag'e;     and    The    Cloud -Spinner. 
Tnuislatfcl  fniin  tlie  J''rfiic]i  of  Ueorge  Sand,  by  Mrs.  Cokkran. 

Chirp  and  Chatter:    Or,  Lessons  from  Field  and  Tree. 
By  Alice  Banks.     With  ,'')4  Illustrations  by  Gord(jn  Browne. 

Four  Little  Mischiefs.     By  Rosa  Mulholland. 

New  Lig'ht  through  Old  Windows.    By  Gregson  Gow. 

Little  Tottie,  .md  Two  Utlier  Stories.     By  Thomas  Archer. 
Naug-hty  Miss  Bunny.     By  Clara  Mulholland. 

Adventures  of  Mrs.  Wishing'-to-be.  By  Alice Corkran. 

The  Joyous  Story  of  TotO.      By  Laura  E.  Eichards. 
Our   Dolly :   Her  Word.s  and  Ways.    By  Mrs.  R.  H.  Read. 
Fairy  Fancy :  What  she  Heard  and  Saw.  By  Mrs.  Read. 

BLACKIE'S   EIGHTEENPENNY   SERIES. 

With  Illustrations,     hi  crown  8vo,  cloth  elegant. 


NEW    VOLUMES. 

The  Little  Girl  from  Next  Door.    By  Geraldine  Mockler. 

Uncle  Jem's  Stella.      By  Autln.r  uf  the  "Two  Dorothys". 
The  Ball  of  Fortune,     By  C.  Pearse.     Neiv  and  cheaper  Edition. 
The  Family  Failing-.    By  Darley  Dale.   New  and  Cheaper  Edition. 
Warner's   Chase:    Or,  The  Gentle  Heart.      By  Annie  S.    Swan. 

Xcir  Edition. 

Climbing  the  Hill.     By  Annie  S.  Swan.     New  Edition. 
Into  the  Haven.     By  Annie  S.  Swan. 


30 


BLACKIE  <t  SON'S  BOOKS  FOR   YOUNG  PEOPLE. 


THE   EIGHTEENPENNY   SERIES.— Continued. 


Olive  and  Robin:  or,  A  Journey  to 
-No\>)ifie.  By  the  autlior  of  "'I'lie 
1  wo  Dorothys". 


Mona's  Trust:  A  story  for  Girls. 
rK.NtLoi'K  Leslie. 


By 


\ Reduced  Specimen  of  the  IllugtratUms.] 
i' 11)111  "Pleasures  and  Pranks". 

Little  Jimmy:  A  Story  of  Ailveuture. 

I'.y  Kev    I).  KKEJoNKS.  M.A. 

Pleasures  and  Pranl<s.     By  Isa- 

l!KI,f.A    I'EAnsiiN. 

In  a  Stranger's  Garden :  A  Story 
for  lioy.s  ami  Girls.  Jiy  CoN.STANCK 
(•(•.Ml.Nf;. 

A  Soldier's  Son:  'J'he  Story  of  a  r.oy 
who  Succeeded.  By  ANNETTE  Lys- 
TEli. 

Miscliief  and  Merry-making.    \'-y 

IsABKI.r.A    I'EAKf-'ON. 


Wild    Meg  and   Wee  Dickie.    By 

.MaIvY  l\.  lldl'KS. 

Grannie.    By  Elizabeth  J.  Lysaght. 
Tlie  Seed  Shie  Sowed.     By  Emma 

LK^^LIE. 

Unlucky :   A  Frngmejit  of  a 
liiii  s  fjfe.     By  CAROLINE 

Austin. 


Every  body's  Business:  Or,  A 
Friend  in  Need.   By  ISMAT 

1'iloRN. 

Tales  of  Daring  and  Dan- 
ger.   I5y  G.  A  He.ntv. 

The  Seven  Golden  Keys.  By 

.IA.MES  E.  AKNXlLD. 

The  Story  of  a  Queen.    By 

Maky  C.  Kuwsell. 

Edwy  :  Or,  Was  he  a  Coward? 
J5y  Annette  Lyster. 

The  Battlefield  Treasure. 

liy  V  i;AVK(ii!i>flAma.soN. 

Joan's  Adventures  at  the 
North  Pole.      By  Alice 

('nl:Kl;AN. 

Filled  with  Gold.  By  J.  Per- 

KKTT. 

Our   General :   A  Story  for 

fiirls.     By    ELIZABETH   J. 
Lysaght. 

Aunt  Hesba's  Charge.    By 

i;i,iy.AIiETll  .1.  Ly.saoht. 

By  Order  of  Queen  Maude: 
A  Story  of  Home  Life.  By 
Louisa  Crow. 

The  Late  Miss  Hollingford. 

liy  Itli.SA    .\ll  I.IIDI.LAM). 

Our  Frank.  By  Amy  Walton. 

A   Terrible    Coward.      By 

(i.  .Manvii.i.e  Fe.nn. 


Littlebourne  Lock. 

ilAlua.'iON. 


By  F.  BAYFORD 


Yarns  on   the   Beach.     By  G.  A. 

II  K.N  TV 

Tom    Finch's   Monkey.     By  J.  C. 

HUTi'llKSli.S'. 

Miss  Grantley 's  Girls,  and  the  Stories 
slic  Tcjld  'I'hcMi.   ByTlIo.s.  ARCHER. 

The  Pedlar  and  his  Dog.    By  Mary 

('.  Kow.SELL. 

Town  Mice  In  the  Country.     By 
,\I   E,  Francis. 

Phil   and  his  Father. 

'I'llollN. 


Prim's  Story. 


By  Ismat 
By  L.  E.  Tidleman. 


BLACK  IE  d-  SON'S  BOOKS  FOR   YOUNG  PEOPLE. 


31 


EIGHTEENPENNY   SERIES— Continued. 


Down  and  Up  Again.    By  Gkegson 

(JCIW. 

Madge's    Mistake.     By   Annij:   E. 

.Vlt.MSTKuNi; 

The  Troubles   and   Triumphs   of 
Little  Tim.    By  GKKcisoN  Guw. 


The  Happy  Lad:  A  .story  of  Peasant 
Lite  111  .M.iw;iy.     ByB.  BJoRNSON. 

A  Box  of  Stories.   Patkcd  for  Young 
l'.,lk  l.>    IlnKACE  Hapi-yman. 

The  Patriot  Martyr,  and  other  Nar- 
ratives of  I'ernale  Heroism. 


LIBRARY   OF   FAMOUS    BOOKS   FOR 
BOYS   AND   GIRLS. 

In  Crown  8vo.     Illustrated.     Cloth  extra,  1.?.  6d.  each. 


The  Cruise  of  the  Midge.  M.  Scott. 
Lives  and  Voyages  of  Drake  and 

Cavendish 
Edgeworth's  Moral  Tales. 
Marryafs  The  Settlers  in  Canada 
Michael  Scott's  Tom  Cringle's  Log. 
White's  Natural  History  of  Sel- 

borne. 
Waterton's     Wanderings    in    S. 

America. 
Anson's  Voyage  Round  the  World. 
Autobiography  of  Franklin. 
Lamb's  Tales  from  Shakspeare. 
Southey's  Life  of  Nelson. 
Miss  Mitfords  Our  Village. 


Two  Years  Before  the  Mast. 

Marryat's  Children  of  the  New 
Forest. 

Scott's  The  Talisman. 

The  Basket  of  Flowers. 

Marryat's  Masterman  Ready. 

Alcott's  Little  Women. 

Cooper's  Deerslayer. 

The  Lamplighter.  By  Miss  Cum- 
mins. 

Cooper's  Pathfinder. 

The  Vicar  of  Wakefield. 

Plutarch's  Lives  of  Greek  Heroes. 

Foe's  Tales  of  Romance  and  Fan- 
tasy. 


Also  a  large  selection  of  Rewards  at  a  .^/iillinf/,  Xinepence,  Sixpevce, 
and  Fourpence.  A  complete  list  will  he  sent  post  free  on  appli- 
cation to  the  Publishers.    , 


The   Best  Book  for  Children. 


Laug"h   and  Learn:   The   Easiest   Book  of   Nur.sery 

Lessons  and  Nur.sery  Games.     By  Jennictt  Hcmphreys. 

Profusely  Ilhistrated.     8'|uare  8vo,  cloth  extra,  3s.  6d. 

"One  of  the  best  books  of  the  kind  iniairinable.  full  of  practical  teach- 
ing; in  word  and  picture,  and  hel|)in!r  the  little  ones  pleasantly  along  a 
right  royal  road  to  learning. " — Graphic. 


LONDON: 
BLACKIE   &   SON,    Limited,    50   OLD   BAILEY,   E.G. 


Hr.  ACLAND  says:  — 

"There  ought  to  be  in  connection  with  every  elementary  school  a 
good  library,  in  which  you  can  lend  children  the  best  books  which 
are  available  to  the  richest  children  in  the  country." 


BLACKIE'S 

SCHOOL  AND  HOHE  LIBRARY. 

Under  the  above  title  tlie  [niblishers  have  arranged  to  issue,  for 
School  Libraries  and  the  Home  Circle,  a  selection  of  the  best  and  most 
interesting  books  in  the  English  language.  The  Library  will  include 
lives  of  heroes,  ancient  and  modern,  records  of  travel  and  adventure  by 
sea  and  land,  fiction  of  the  highest  class,  historical  romances,  books  of 
natural  history,  and  tales  of  domestic  life. 

The  greatest  care  will  be  devoted  to  the  get-up  of  the  Library.  The 
volumes  will  be  clearly  printed  on  good  paper,  and  the  binding  made 
specially  durable,  to  withstand  the  wear  and  tear  to  which  well-circu- 
lated books  are  necessarily  subjected. 

hi  cro-<v)i  Svo  'c'ohanes.     Strongly  hound  in  imperial  clotli.     Price  is.  4ii.  each. 


Dana's  Two  Years  before  the  Mast. 

Southey  s  Life  of  Nelson. 

Waterton'sWanderings  in  S.America. 

Anson's  Voyage  Round  the  World. 

Lamb's  Tales  from  Shakspeare. 

Autobiographyof  Benjamin  Franklin. 

Marryat's  Children  of  the  New  Forest. 

Miss  Mitford's  Our  Village. 

Scott's  Talisman. 

The  Basket  of  Flowers. 

Marryat's  Masterman  Ready. 

Alcott's  Little  Women. 

Cooper's  Deerslayer. 

Parry's  Third  Voyage. 

Dickens'  Old  Curiosity  Shop,    z  vols 


Plutarch's  Lives  of  Greek  Heroes. 

The   Lamplighter.     By  Miss  Cummins. 

Cooper's   Pathfinder. 

The  Vicar  of  Wakefield. 

White's  Natural  History  of  Selborne. 

Scott's   Ivanhoe.     2  vols. 

Michael  Scott's  Tom  Cringle's  Log. 

Irving's  Conquest  of  Granada.  2  vols 

Lives  of  Drake  and  Cavendish. 

Michael  Scott's  Cruise  of  the  Midge 

Edgeworth's  Moral  Tales. 

Passages  in  the  Life  of  a  Galley-Slave 

The  Snowstorm.      By  Mrs.  Cjore, 

Life  of  Dampier. 

Marryat's  The  Settlers  in  Canada. 


To  be follcntied  by  a  new  volutue  on  thejirst  0/ each  month. 


We  feel  sure  that  they  will  form  a  collection  which  boys  and  girls  alike, 
but  especially  the  former,  will  highly  prize;  for  whilst  they  contain  interest- 
ing, and  at  times  very  exciting  reading,  the  tone  throughout  is  of  that 
vigorous,  stirring  kind  which  is  always  appreciated  by  the  young." — 
Sheffield  Independent. 

Detailed  /'rospectus  and  Press  Opinions  will  be  sent  post  free  on  Application. 


LONDON: 
BLACKIE  &   SON,    Limited,    50  OLD   BAILEY,   E.G. 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 

Los  Angeles 

This  book  is  DUE  on  the  last  date  stamped  below. 


Form  L9-75m-7.'6l  (0143784)444 


AA    000  373  720 


PR 

4699 
F19p 
1S92