snoring loud,
and at last Humphrey fell asleep himself and did not awake till broad
daylight. He got up, and found Alice and Edith were already in the
sitting-room, lighting the fire.

"I would not wake you, Humphrey, as you had been sitting up so long.
The robbers have not made their appearance, that is clear; shall you
unbar the door and window-shutters now?"

"Yes, I think we may. Here, Pablo!"

"Yes," replied Pablo, coming out half asleep; "what the matter? Thief
come?"

"No," replied Edith, "thief not come, but sun shine; and lazy Pablo not
get up."

"Up now, Missy Edith."

"Yes, but not awake yet."

"Yes, Missy Edith, quite awake."

"Well then, help me to undo the door, Pablo."

They took down the barricades, and Humphrey opened the door cautiously,
and looked out.

"They won't come now, at all events, I should think," observed Humphrey;
"but there is no saying--they may be prowling about, and may think it
easier to get in during daytime than at night. Go out, Pablo, and look
about everywhere; take a pistol with you, and fire it off if there is
any danger, and then come back as fast as you can."

Pablo took the pistol, and then Humphrey went out of the door and looked
well round in front of the cottage, but he would not leave the door till
he was assured that no one was there. Pablo returned soon after, saying
that he had looked round everywhere, and into the cow-house and yard,
and there was nobody to be seen. This satisfied Humphrey, and they
returned to the cottage.

"Now, Pablo, get your breakfast, while I write the letter to the
Intendant," said Humphrey; "and then you must saddle Billy and go over
as fast as you can with the letter. You can tell him all I have not
said in it. I shall expect you back at night, and some people with
you."

"I see," said Pablo, who immediately busied himself with some cold meat
which Alice put before him. Pablo had finished his breakfast and
brought Billy to the door before Humphrey had finished his letter. As
soon as it was written and folded Pablo set off as fast as Billy could
go to the other side of the forest.

Humphrey continued on the look-out during the whole day, with his gun on
his arm, and his two dogs by his side; for he knew the dogs would give
notice of the approach of any one, long before he might see them; but
nothing occurred during the whole day; and when the evening closed in he
barricaded the doors and windows, and remained on th