," said the man.

"The steam was hissing horribly, as you hear it now. Aren't you going
to try and stop it?"

"Stop it?" said the man. "What for? Want me to blow the place up?"

"Of course not; but I want you to stop up those holes."

"You don't know what you're talking about, squire, or else it's to throw
me off the scent."

"I know the steam's escaping horribly."

"Yes; all waste, through them not finishing that pump."

"Then try and stop it."

"Stop it? Don't I tell you there's too much pressure on as it is?"

"It's the safety valves open, Ydoll," said Joe, with his lips to his
companion's ear.

"Oh!" ejaculated Gwyn, as he grasped the truth. "I thought something
was wrong."

"I know something was wrong, and without thinking, young squire," said
the man. "But you take my advice, and don't you meddle with anything
here again."

"I have told you we did not touch anything; but I suppose it's no use to
talk to you," said Gwyn, warmly.

"No, sir, not a bit," replied the man, gruffly; "and I shall speak to
the governors about you two coming meddling."

"And I shall speak to my father about your not being here taking care of
the engines," said Gwyn, as a parting shot. "If you had been at your
duty, no one would have had a chance to meddle. So we will see what he
says."

CHAPTER SIXTEEN.

AN ATTACK OF HEROES.

"That was a topper for him, Ydoll," said Joe, as they stood outside.
"Phew! what a hot, stuffy place it is!"

"We were the first there, Joe," said Gwyn, who had not heard his
companion's words. "But what was he going to do?"

"Who going to do--that chap?"

"Yes. I'm sure he meant mischief of some kind. I'll speak to father.
He won't interfere with the people coming to-day, because it's like a
sight, this beginning: but afterwards he'll have to give orders for no
one but the work-people to be about."

"Hullo, what's this?" cried Joe.

For a shout arose, and a man stood forward from the crowd, making
signals.

"I know: they want the steam turned on."

Gwyn stepped back to the mouth of the temporary engine-house, told the
driver, and he connected a band with the shaft; this started another
long band, and the power was communicated to the pump, with the result
that a huge wheel began to turn, a massive rod was set in motion, and a
burst of cheers arose; for, with a steady, heavy, clanking sound, the
first gallons of water were raised, to fall gushing into the
cistern-like bo