" said Uncle Dick; "we are going down to the works."

"What! To-night?"

"Yes, my lad, to-night."

"But you can't get in. The men have the key."

"I have the agent's keys. There are two sets, and I am going down now.
Look here; take a book and amuse yourself, and go to bed in good time.
Perhaps we shall be late."

"Why, you are going to stop all night," I cried, "so as to be there
before the men?"

"I confess," he said, laughing in my excited face.

"And I sha'n't see any of the fun," I cried.

"There will not be any fun, Cob."

"Oh, yes, there will, uncle," I said. "I say, do let me come."

He shook his head, and as I could make no impression on him I gave up,
and slipped down to Uncle Jack, who was watching Mrs Stephenson cut
some huge sandwiches for provender during the night.

"I say, uncle," I whispered, "I know what you are going to do. Take
me."

"No, no," he said. "It will be no work for boys."

He was so quiet and stern that I felt it was of no use to press him, so
I left the kitchen and went to the front door to try Uncle Bob for my
last resource.

I opened the door gently, and started back, for there was a savage
growl, and I just made out the dark form of a big-headed dog tugging at
a string.

"Down, Piter!" said Uncle Bob. "Who is it? You, Cob? Here, Piter,
make friends with him. Come out."

I went out rather slowly, for the dog was growling ominously; but at a
word from Uncle Bob he ceased, and began to smell me all round the legs,
stopping longest about my calves, as if he thought that would be the
best place for a bite.

"Pat him, Cob, and pull his ears."

I stooped down rather unwillingly, and began patting the ugliest head I
ever saw in my life. For Piter--otherwise Jupiter--was a brindled
bull-dog with an enormous head, protruding lower jaw, pinched-in nose,
and grinning teeth. The sides of his head seemed swollen, and his chest
broad, his body lank and lean, ending in a shabby little thin tail.

"Why, he has no ears," I said.

"They are cut pretty short, poor fellow. But isn't he a beauty, Cob?"

"Beauty!" I said, laughing. "But where did you get him?"

"Mr Tomplin has lent him to us."

"But what for?"

"Garrison for the fort," my boy. "I think we can trust him."

I commenced my attack then.

"I should so like to go!" I said. "It isn't as if I was a nuisance. I
wasn't so bad when we were out all night by Dome Tor."

"Well, there, I'll talk them o