ve 'em in through the gates in no time, without
losing one."

"Are they going to drive the flock into the courtyard?" said Bracy
wearily.

"Why, I telled him they were just now," muttered Gedge; and then aloud,
"Yes, sir, that's it; and here they come, and--I can't see, but I can
hear--they're a-getting quite near. And of course, as soon as they're
all in, bing-bang our chaps'll swing them great gates to and make 'em
fast, and there, you are. What a glorious grab, and won't the niggers
be wild! Say, Mr Bracy, sir."

"Yes."

"Don't you feel as if you want to shout?"

"No, Gedge, no."

"I do, sir. I say, sir, if I was you I'd give me orders to see the
butchers, and buy four o' the sheepskins. I could dress 'em, and you
could have 'em made up into a rug, or let the tailor line your greatcoat
with 'em. For if we're going to be shut up here all the winter, every
one of them skins 'll be better for you than two ton o' coals."

"Buy six for me, my lad," said Bracy, "and have three to line your own
coat."

"Oh, thank ye, sir; but--"

"No, no; three will do, my lad, for I shall be lying asleep under the
turf before the winter comes."

"Mr Bracy, sir!" cried Gedge in a husky voice. "Oh, sir, plee, sir,
don't go and talk like that, sir! Oh, blow the sheep, and the mutton,
and the skins!" he muttered; "what do I care about 'em now?"

He was turning away, when, regretting what he had said, Bracy raised
himself a little on one elbow, and said softly, and with his voice
sounding stronger:

"Why don't you go on telling me, my lad! Is the flock coming nearer?"

Gedge thrust his head out again, and then partly withdrew it.

"Yes, sir--close in, sir. You can hear 'em now; they must be coming in
at the gates. Oh, do be careful!" he whispered to nobody, once more
full of excitement, and imagining everything in the darkness. "Steady,
steady! Mind, you nigger to the left. Yah! don't get waving your arms
like that; you'll scare one o' them old rams. Can't you see him tossing
his head about? He'll bolt directly, and if he does the whole flock 'll
be after him and off and away to the hills."

"Can you see them, Gedge?" said Bracy, beginning to take interest in the
capture now for his lad's sake, for deep down in his breast there was a
well-spring of gratitude for all the poor, rough, coarse fellow had
done.

"See 'em, sir? No; it's as black as the inside of a tar-barrel: but I
can hear and fancy it all, and