nd out their worth and
respected them, and everything was going on in the most prosperous way,
and yet we were being assailed with threats, and it was quite possible
that at any moment some cruel blow might be struck.

I felt very nervous that night, but I drew courage from my uncles, who
seemed to take everything in the coolest and most matter-of-fact way.
They went round to the buildings where the fires were banked up and
glowing or smouldering, ready to be brought under the influence of the
blast next day and fanned to white heat. Here every precaution was
taken to guard against danger by fire, one of the most probable ways of
attack, either by ordinary combustion or the swift explosion of
gunpowder.

"There," said Uncle Jack after a careful inspection, "we can do no more.
If the ruffians come and blow us up it will be pretty well ruin."

"While if they burn us we are handsomely insured," said Uncle Dick.

"By all means then let us be burned," said Uncle Bob laughing. "There,
don't let's make mountains of molehills. We shall not be hurt."

"Well," said Uncle Dick, "I feel as if we ought to take every possible
precaution; but, that done, I do not feel much fear of anything taking
place. If the scoundrels had really meant mischief they would have done
something before now."

"Don't halloa till you are out of the wood," said Uncle Jack. "I smell
danger."

"Where, uncle?" I cried.

"In the air, boy. How the wind blows! Quite a gale. Brings the smell
of naphtha from those works half a mile away. Shows how a scent like
that will travel."

"I say, boys," said Uncle Bob, "what a trade that would be to carry on--
that or powder-mills. The scoundrels would regularly hold one at their
mercy."

"Wind's rising, and the water seems pretty lively," said Uncle Dick as
we sat together in the office, listening to the noises of the night.

We were quite in the dark, and from time to time we had a look round
about the yard and wall and that side of the building, the broad dam on
the other side being our protection.

"What a curious gurgling the water makes!" said Uncle Bob as we sat
listening; "anyone might think that half a dozen bottles were being
poured out at once."

"The water plays in and out of the crevices amongst the stones, driving
the air forth. I've often listened to it and thought it was someone
whispering out there beneath the windows," said Uncle Dick.

Then came a loud gust of wind that shoo