,
"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, Chawny--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
Chawny, 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 demonstration on the part of the enemy.

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

"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 EIGHT.

ON GUARD.

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

"Come, young fellow," he cried; "breakfast'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 step