s outside, and waiting
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.

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 twitching 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 realised 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 premises, and until we were satisfied
that there was no more fear of interference, one was to keep watch half
the night with the dog, and then be relieved 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 business like way. Carpenters and
fitters were set to work, and, helped by the indomitable perseverance
and energy of my uncle