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 the end window." There was a solemn silence now, and they all sat looking at one another with very earnest faces. "It's a solemn time, boys," said Uncle Moses, "a deeply solemn time." To this the boys made no reply, but by their silence signified their assent to Uncle Moses' remark. At length, after a silence of some time, Frank spoke. "I think we can manage something," said he, "to keep them out for the night. My idea is, to put the largest bedstead against the door. It opens inside; if the bedstead is against it, it can't be opened." "But the windows," said Clive. "O, we needn't bother about the windows, they're too high up," said Frank, confidently.