gone on," said David.
do. said Bob.
do. said Clive.
do. said Frank.

"Yes, boys, that's what we'd ort to hev done," said Uncle Moses.
"Why didn't some on ye think of it?"

"We did; but we thought you'd be too tired," said Frank.

"Tired? tired?" exclaimed Uncle Moses. "Tired? What! me tired!
_me!_" And he paused, overcome with amazement. "Why, boys, ye must
all be ravin distracted! _Me_ tired! Why, I'm as fresh as a cricket;
an though rayther oldish, yet I've got more clear muscle, narve,
and sinnoo, than all on ye put together."

At this little outburst' the boys said nothing, but regretted that
they had not, at least, proposed going on.

"We're in a fix," said Clive.
do. said Bob.
do. said Frank.
do. said David.

"We're in a tight place, sure," said Uncle Moses.

"There's no help near," said Frank.
do. said David.
do. said Bob.
do. said Clive.

"It's the lonesomest place I ever see," said Uncle Moses.

"It's too dark to leave now," said David.
do. said Clive.
do. said Bob.
do. said Frank.

"Yes, and they'd all be arter us afore we'd taken twelve steps,"
said Uncle Moses.

"They're the worst sort of brigands," said Bob.
do. said Frank.
do. said David.
do. said Clive.

"Yes, reg'lar bloodthirsty miscreants," said Uncle Moses.

"The door has no lock," said Frank.
do. said David.
do. said Bob.
do. said Clive.

"O, yes, it's a reg'lar trap, an we're in for it, sure," said Uncle
Moses. "I only hope we'll get out of it."

"That window's open, too," said David,
do. said Frank.
do. said Clive.
do. said Bob.

"Yes, an thar ain't even a sash in it," said Uncle Moses; "no, nor
even a board to put agin it!"

"They'll come to-night," said Clive.
do. said Frank.
do. said Bob.
do. said David.

"No doubt in that thar," said Uncle Moses, in lugubrious tones;
"an we've got to prepar ourselves."

"What shall we do?" said Frank.
do. said Bob.
do. said Clive.
do. said David.

"The pint now is," said Uncle Moses,--"the pint now is, what air
we to do under the succumstances? That's what it is."

At this Frank rose and opened the rickety door.

He looked out.

He closed it again.

Then he went to each of the windows in succession.

He looked out of each.

Then he resumed his seat.

"Wal?" asked Uncle Moses, in an inquiring tone.

"There's no one to be seen," said Frank; "but I thought I heard
voices, or rather whispers, just under