“Glad to hear that, colonel.” “Good paying jobs, I mean.” “Better still, sir; but—” “But what, Bates?” said the colonel. “Oh! I was only about to remark, colonel, that all the lads, and myself included, are very hard up; if you would so oblige us as to lend us a hundred or two until your return, we should—” “I understand; well, no wonder you are out of money, seeing how much that scoundrel, Captain Jack, appropriated to his own use. Here,” said he, giving Bates a hundred pound note, “this will serve you until my return.” Colonel Blood left Bates in high glee, and went his way. “Well, this isn’t bad to commence with,” said old Bates, putting the note into his pocket; “but I mustn’t let any of the lads know I have got so much. I’ll have it changed, give ’em £10 to drink with, and the rest I’ll stick to as my own perquisites.” Bates changed the note, and when he returned, he found his companions grumbling at his long delay. The £10, however, revived their drooping spirits. They called for whatever they liked in eating and drinking, and the time passed very rapidly. Most of the Dozen had got well nigh tipsy before the hour of midnight, and were very noisy. However, when they had their fill, old Bates called a council of war. “Look to your weapons, my merry men,” said he; “see that your pistols are well loaded, and that your swords are not blunt—we’ve got a job on hand to-night.” “A job!” said all, in high glee. “Yes, and one that will pay us well—get yourselves sober, every one of you.” “What is it?” “Are the doors closed?” said Bates. “No one listening, I hope?” “Not a soul,” said one and all. “What is the job?” “Who among you loves Colonel Blood? tell me that,” said old Bates. The name was received with savage oaths. “Not one, I perceive,” said old Bates; “so much the better. And now I’ll tell you what I have on hand.” Solemn silence ensued, as Bates said, “Blood is going down to Darlington to-night, to arrest Jack, who is here. I have put the colonel off the right scent.” “The devil!—to arrest me?” said Jack, with an oath. “Silence! Jack,” growled several, with threatening looks. “Silence, and listen to Master Bates; _he_ is our captain now—not you.” “Well, and while Blood is away on this wild-goose chase, Jack has proposed to rob his house.” “Capital idea,” said all. “So think I,” said Bates; “so come, prepare yourselves. Put masks in your pockets, and bring a rope ladder with you.” “And dark lanterns,” said Jack. “A small crowbar to wrench open the shutters,” said Bates, “and in less than an hour we can ‘clean out’ the whole house. Dead silence must be kept—not a word spoken by any one.” “If we meet with resistance——” “Well, then, use your weapons fearlessly,” said Jack. “The night is dark and stormy—just the right weather to crack such a crib as his.” “Come, then,” said Bates, “we’ll take a parting glass, and then away.” “Agreed, agreed!”