e
of the danger which might be lurking so near.

But he was misjudging the black: Shanter was never more wide awake in
his life, and the proof soon came. All at once there was a faint
rustling from near the fireplace apparently, and Rifle turned sharply,
but did not speak, thinking that Norman and his cousin had changed
places.

Norman heard the sound too, and gave the credit to Tim, who in turn made
sure that his cousin had lain down to sleep. So no one spoke, and the
rustling was heard again, followed now sharply by a quick movement, a
horrible yell, a rushing sound, and then the sickening thud of a heavy
blow. Before the boys could quite grasp what it meant, there was a
sharp rattling, as if a big stick was being rapidly moved in the
chimney, then another yell, a fresh rattling as of another great stick
against the stone sides of the chimney, with a heavy thumping overhead.

Norman grasped the position now in those quick moments, and, gun in
hand, dashed to the chimney, cannoning against Rifle and then against
some one else, for he had tripped over a soft body. Before he could
recover himself there was a deafening roar, and the sour odour of powder
began to steal to his nostrils as he listened to a rustling sound as of
something rolling over the split wood slabs which roofed the place,
followed by a heavy fall close under the window.

"What is it, boys?" cried the captain at the door, for all had passed so
rapidly that the episode was over before he reached the kitchen.

"Black fellow come along," said Shanter, quietly. "Mine mumkull."

"Through the window?" cried the captain, reproachfully, advancing into
the kitchen. "Oh, boys! Ah!"--he stumbled and nearly fell--"wounded?
Who is this?"

There was no reply.

"Norman--Rifle--Tim?" cried the captain in horrified tones.

"Yes, father! Yes, uncle!" cried the boys excitedly.

"Then it's the black! But I don't understand. How was it?"

"Mine hear black fellow come down along," said Shanter, quickly. "Mine
make black fellow go up along. You pidney?"

"What, down the chimney?"

"Yohi. Make plenty fire, baal come along down."

"Wait a minute," said the captain quickly, and they heard him go into
the other room. Then there was the sharp striking of flint and steel, a
shower of sparks, and the face of the captain was faintly visible as he
blew one spark in the tinder till it glowed, and a blue fluttering light
on the end of a brimstone match now