"DO LET ME COME."
The rest of the week soon slipped by, and my uncles took possession of
the works, but not peaceably.
The agent who had had the letting went down to meet my uncles and give
them formal possession.
When he got there he was attacked by the work-people, with words first,
and then with stones and pails of water.
The consequence was that he went home with a cut head and his clothes
soaked.
"But what's to be done?" said Uncle Dick to him. "We want the place
according to the agreement."
The agent looked up, holding one hand to his head, and looking white and
scared.
"Call themselves men!" he said, "I call them wild beasts."
"Call them what you like," said Uncle Dick; "wild beasts if you will,
but get them out."
"But I can't," groaned the man dismally. "See what a state I'm in!
They've spoiled my second best suit."
"Very tiresome," said Uncle Dick, who was growing impatient; "but are
you going to get these people out? We've two truck-loads of machinery
waiting to be delivered."
"Don't I tell you I can't," said the agent angrily. "Take possession
yourself. There, I give you leave."
"Very well," said Uncle Dick. "You assure me that these men have no
legal right to be there."
"Not the slightest. They were only allowed to be there till the place
was let."
"That's right; then we take possession at once, sir."
"And good luck to you!" said the agent as we went out.
"What are you going to do?" asked Uncle Bob.
"Take possession."
"When?"
"To-night. Will you come?"
"Will I come?" said Uncle Bob with a half laugh. "You might as well ask
Jack."
"It may mean trouble to-morrow."
"There's nothing done without trouble," said Uncle Bob coolly. "I like
ease better, but I'll take my share."
I was wildly excited, and began thinking that we should all be armed
with swords and guns, so that I was terribly disappointed when that
evening I found Uncle Dick enter the room with a brown-paper parcel in
his hand that looked like a book, and followed by Uncle Jack looking as
peaceable as could be.
"Where's Uncle Bob?" I said.
"Waiting for us outside."
"Why doesn't he come in?"
"He's busy."
I wondered what Uncle Bob was busy about; but I noticed that my uncles
were preparing for the expedition, putting some tools and a small
lantern in a travelling-bag. After this Uncle Jack took it open
downstairs ready for starting.
"Look here, Cob," said Uncle Dick; "we are going down to the works."
"What! To-night?"
"Yes, my lad, to-night."
"But you can't get in. The men have the key."
"I have the agent's keys. There are two sets, and I am going down now.
Look here; take a book and amuse yourself, and go to bed in good time.
Perhaps we shall be late."
"Why, you are going to stop all night," I cried, "so as to be there
before the men?"
"I confess," he said, laughing in my excited face.
"And I sha'n't see any of the fun," I cried.
"There will not be any fun, Cob."
"Oh, yes, there will, uncle," I said. "I say, do let me come."
He shook his head, and as I could make no impression on him I gave up,
and slipped down to Uncle Jack, who was watching Mrs Stephenson cut
some huge sandwiches for provender during the night.
"I say, uncle," I whispered, "I know what you are going to do. Take
me."
"No, no," he said. "It will be no work for boys."
He was so quiet and stern that I felt it was of no use to press him, so
I left the kitchen and went to the front door to try Uncle Bob for my
last resource.
I opened the door gently, and started back, for there was a savage
growl, and I just made out the dark form of a big-headed dog tugging at
a string.
"Down, Piter!" said Uncle Bob. "Who is it? You, Cob? Here, Piter,
make friends with him. Come out."
I went out rather slowly, for the dog was growling ominously; but at a
word from Uncle Bob he ceased, and began to smell me all round the legs,
stopping longest about my calves, as if he thought that would be the
best place for a bite.
"Pat him, Cob, and pull his ears."
I stooped down rather unwillingly, and began patting the ugliest head I
ever saw in my life. For Piter--otherwise Jupiter--was a brindled
bull-dog with an enormous head, protruding lower jaw, pinched-in nose,
and grinning teeth. The sides of his head seemed swollen, and his chest
broad, his body lank and lean, ending in a shabby little thin tail.
"Why, he has no ears," I said.
"They are cut pretty short, poor fellow. But isn't he a beauty, Cob?"
"Beauty!" I said, laughing. "But where did you get him?"
"Mr Tomplin has lent him to us."
"But what for?"
"Garrison for the fort," my boy. "I think we can trust him."