ark. I don't
know what to say to thank you, Pannell."

"Say I was a big boompkin for meddling ower what didn't consarn me. If
I don't come to wuck to-morrow you'll know why."

"No; I shall not," I cried wonderingly.

"Ah, then, you'll have time to find out," he muttered. "Good-night,
lad!"

"Stop a moment and I'll open the gate," I cried.

"Nay, I shall go out as I come in. Mayn't be seen then. Mebbe the
lads'll be watching by the gate."

He stalked out, and as I followed him I saw his tall gaunt figure going
to the corner of the yard where the trap was set, and then there was a
scuffling noise, and he had gone.

I left the place soon after, and as I fastened the gate I fancied I saw
Stevens and a man who limped in his walk; but I could not be sure, for
the gas lamp cast but a very feeble light, and I was too eager to get
home and change my things to stop and watch.

The run did me good, and by the time I had on a dry suit I was very
little the worse for my immersion, being able to smile as I told my
uncles at their return.

They looked serious enough, though, and Uncle Jack said it was all owing
to the trap.

The question of putting the matter in the hands of the police was again
well debated, but not carried out--my uncles concluding that it would do
no good even if the right man were caught, for in punishing him we
should only have the rest who were banded together more bitter against
us.

"Better carry on the war alone," said Uncle Dick; "we must win in the
end."

"If we are not first worn-out," said the others.

"Which we shall not be," cried Uncle Dick, laughing. "There are three
of us to wear out, and as one gets tired it will enrage the others;
while when all three of us are worn-out we can depute Cob to carry on
the war, and he is as obstinate as all three of us put together."

They looked at me and laughed, but I felt too much stirred to follow
their example.

"It is too serious," I said, "to treat like that; for I am obstinate now
much more than I was, and I should like to show these cowards that we
are not going to be frightened out of the town."

"Cob don't know what fear is," said Uncle Jack with a bit of a sneer.

"Indeed but I do," I replied. "I was horribly frightened when I fell
into that place; but the more they frighten me, the more I want for us
to make them feel that we are not to be beaten by fear."

"Bravo!" cried Uncle Bob, clapping his hands.

"There! Let's go