aced loose on the top.

"There, Master Bigley," said my father dryly. "That's what I call being
ready for action." Bigley nodded.

"If those boxes were put away unopened, the chances are a hundred to one
that on the occasion of their being wanted the chisel and hammer would
not be in their places. Now, then, we'll undo that other box."

I could not help seeing, or thinking I saw, a peculiar meaning in my
father's way of saying all this, but Bigley did not understand it I
felt, and we set to at once over the other chest, dragging it into the
middle of the room and prising off the lid, for this one was only
nailed.

It was not so heavy either, but as we had made up our minds that it
contained the uniforms, we were not surprised.

The lid was more tightly nailed down than seemed to be necessary; but we
had it off at last, and then drew out a dozen parcels, which, on being
opened, proved to be white buckskin belts for the waist, with a frog or
pouch to hold and support the cutlasses, and a cross belt of a broader
kind, to which was attached a cartouche-box, ready to hold the
ball-cartridge when required.

Another row of nails was driven in for the belts, which were hung in
pairs, and then we drew out a couple more boxes of cartridges, and that
was all.

"Why, what's the matter, Sep?" said my father, smiling at my
disappointed countenance.

"I was wondering where the uniforms were," I said.

"Uniforms, boy?" said my father. "When my two hundred and fifty lads
attacked the Spanish frigate and took her, they wore no uniforms. Every
man stripped to his shirt and trousers, put a handkerchief round his
waist, threw away his hat, rolled up his sleeves, and tucked up his
trousers. They fought the Spaniard bare-armed, bare-headed,
bare-footed; and if we have to fight, we can do the same, and drive off
our enemies too."

"The French, father?" I said, feeling quite abashed.

"Ay, my boy, or anyone else. These uniforms look very attractive, but
there's a great deal of vanity in them, and we are too busy to give way
to that."

"Yes, father," I said meekly, and as I said it I thought about something
else.

"There, you lads can go now. Thank you for helping to arrange my little
armoury."

We should both have liked to examine those arms a little more. We
should even have liked to try one of the pistols, and shoot at a mark,
but this was a regular dismissal, and we went out, going quietly down to
the stream, al