f someone had
jumped down from a little height.

At the same moment we found out how useful Piter was going 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 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 growling 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 telling 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."

"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 shouting.

The stronger outside party would have prevailed 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 fro