"And all the time we are talking and letting that poor dog perish! The
cowards!" cried Uncle Dick fiercely. "Is he dead?"

"No," I said; "I saw one of his ears quiver a little, but he is not
breathing so loudly."

"Give him another plunge," said Uncle Jack.

Uncle Bob took the dog as before and plunged him once more in the cold
clean water; and this time, as soon as he was out, he struggled slightly
and choked and panted to get his breath.

"We must get him on his legs if we can," said Uncle Bob; and for the
next half hour he kept trying to make the dog stand, but without avail,
till he had almost given up in despair. Then all at once poor Piter
began to whine, struggled to his feet, fell down, struggled up again,
and then began rapidly to recover, and at last followed us into the
office--where, forgetful of breakfast, we began to discuss the present
state of the war.

The first thing that caught my eye as we went in was a letter stuck in
the crack of the desk, so that it was impossible for anyone to pass
without seeing it.

Uncle Jack took the letter, read it, and passed it round, Uncle Bob
reading last.

I asked what it was as I stooped over poor Piter, who seemed stupid and
confused and shivered with the wet and cold.

"Shall I tell him?" said Uncle Bob, looking at his brothers.

They looked at one another thoughtfully, nodded, and Uncle Bob handed me
the note; and a precious composition it was.

"_You London Cockneys_," it began, "_you've had plenty warnings 'bout
your gimcracks and contrapshions, and wouldn't take 'em. Now look
here, we won't hev 'em in Arrowfield, robbing hard-workin' men of toil
of their hard earns and takin' bread out o' wife and childers mouths
and starvin' families, so look out. If you three an' that sorcy boy
don't pack up your traps and be off, we'll come and pack 'em up for
you. So now you know_."

"What does this mean?" I said, looking from one to the other.

"It means war, my lad," said Uncle Dick fiercely.

"You will not take any notice of this insolent letter?" I said.

"Oh yes, but we will!" said Uncle Jack.

"Not give up and go like cowards?"

"I don't think we shall, Cob," said Uncle Jack laughing. "No; we're in
the right and they are in the wrong. We've got a strong tower to fight
in and defend ourselves; they've got to attack us here, and I think
they'll be rather badly off if they do try anything more serious."

"This has been bad enou