with the water-wheel going it was easy to contrive a
way to blow the fires."

"Humph! Can he forge a bill-hook or a scythe blade?"

"Oh, yes!"

"Who's 'venting the noo steel?"

"Oh, they are all helping! It was Uncle Richard who first started it."

"Oh, Uncle Richard, was it?" he said thoughtfully. "Well, it won't
niver do."

"Why?"

"Snap a two, and never bear no edge."

"Who says so?"

"Traade," he cried. "Steel was good enough as it weer."

Just then, as luck had it, Uncle Jack came into the smithy, and stood
and watched the man as he scowled heavily and flourished out the hot
steel as if he resented being watched.

"You are not forging those hand-bills according to pattern, my man,"
said Uncle Jack, as he saw one finished, Pannell beating the steel with
savage vehemence, and seeming as if he wished it were Uncle Jack's head.

"That's way to forge a hand-bill," said the man sourly.

"Your way," said Uncle Jack quietly. "Not mine. I gave you a pattern.
These are being made of a new steel."

"Good for nought," said the man; but Uncle Jack paid no heed, assuming
not to have heard the remark.

"And I want them to look different to other people's."

"Do it yoursen then," said the great fellow savagely; and he threw down
the hammer and pincers.

"Yes, perhaps I had better," said Uncle Jack, rolling up his white
shirt-sleeves, after taking off his coat and throwing it to me.

I saw Pannell glower at the pure white skin that covered great muscles
as big and hard as his own, while, after unhooking a leather apron from
where it hung, the lever was touched, the fire roared, and at last Uncle
Jack brought out a piece of white-hot steel, banged it on the anvil, and
rapidly beat it into shape.

Every stroke had its object, and not one unnecessary blow fell, while in
a short time he held in the water, which hissed angrily, a hand-bill
that was beautifully made, and possessed a graceful curve and hook that
the others wanted.

"There," said Uncle Jack. "That's how I want them made."

The man's face was set in a savage vindictive look, full of jealous
annoyance, at seeing a well-dressed gentleman strip and use the smith's
hammer and pincers better than he could have used them himself.

"Make me one now after that pattern," said Uncle Jack.

It seemed to me that the giant was going to tear off his leather apron
furiously and stride out of the place; but just then Uncle Jack
stretched out his great s