along
soon."

The black's words went home and sank deeply, a chill of horror running
through the boys as they felt how, after this reception, their enemies
would be implacable, and that if they gained the upper hand it meant
death for them all. It was in ignorance, though, for had the reception
been of the kindest, the probability was that they would have run the
same chance of massacre.

But the feeling of depression passed off quickly enough now, and the
excitement of the last hour produced a feeling of elation. It had been
horrible, that encounter with the descending enemy, and then the firing
and the shrieks and yells as they had shot at these men; and then
unconsciously, while he and his brothers were silently and thoughtfully
dwelling on the same theme, Norman said aloud: "No, they are not men,
but wolves, and must be treated the same."

Then he started, for a hand from out of the darkness gripped his
shoulder, and his uncle's voice said: "Yes, boy, you are quite right;
savage howling wolves, who would have no mercy upon us, I am afraid."

"You here, uncle?"

"Yes, lad; your father has just relieved me, and I'm coming to sit down
and eat some bread, and have a pannikin of water. Where's Shanter?"

"Mine all along here 'top chimney," said the black.

"Yes, and that's one thing I am going to do," said Uncle Jack. "Your
father, boys, and Shanter have talked it over. There is a square case
here in the corner that we think will about fill the chimney a little
way up."

"Yes; here it is," cried Rifle.

"Let's try."

Then, in the darkness, the chest was dragged to the front of the fire,
lifted, found to go right up and block the chimney, so that when it was
wedged up in its place by placing a barrel upright beneath, that way of
entrance was effectually blocked, and Uncle Jack uttered a sigh of
relief.

"Now for my bread and water," he said.--"Have some damper, Shanter?"

"Hey? Damper?" cried the black, eagerly. "Gib damper. Hah! Soff
damper."

This last was on receiving a great piece of Aunt Georgie's freshly-made
bread, which kept him busily occupied for some little time.

All were on the _qui vive_, feeling cheered and hopeful, now that their
armour had had its first proving, the weak spot found and remedied; for,
though others were contemplated for the future, the great kitchen
chimney, built exactly on the principle of that in an old English
farmhouse, was the only one in the slowly growin