better and will keep sharp longer, my lad, but people
would not believe that it was in the slightest degree different, unless
they had something to see," said Uncle Dick.

So the men were set to forge and grind the different shaped tools and
implements that were designed, and I often heard them laughing and
jeering at what they called the "contrapshions."

My turn came round to keep the morning watch about a week after the new
bands had been fitted. Uncle Bob had been on guard during the night,
and just as I was comfortably dreaming of a pleasant country excursion I
was awakened by a cheery, "Tumble up, Tumble up!"

I sat up confused and drowsy, but that soon passed off as Uncle Bob
laughingly told me, in sham nautical parlance, that all was well on
deck; weather hazy, and no rocks ahead as far as he knew.

"Oh," I said yawning, "I do wish all this watching was over!"

"So do I, Cob," he cried; "but never mind, we shall tire the rascals out
yet."

I thought to myself that they would tire us out first, as I went down
grumpily and disposed to shiver; and then, to thoroughly waken and warm
myself, I had a good trot round the big furnace, where the men had tried
to fire the powder.

It was circus-horse sort of work, that running round on the black ashes
and iron scales, but it warmed me, and as the miserable shivery feeling
went off I felt brighter and more ready for my task.

Piter was with me trotting close behind, as I ran round and round; and
when at last I was pretty well out of breath I sat down on a bench, and
took the dog's fore-paws on my knees, as I thought about how different
my life here seemed from what I had expected. There had been some
unpleasant adventures, and a good deal of work, but otherwise my daily
career seemed to be very monotonous, and I wondered when our old country
trips were to be renewed.

Then I had a good look round the place upstairs and down; and, so sure
as I passed an open window, I felt about with my hands for wires, the
memory of that powder-tin being too vivid to be forgotten.

I went and listened by the office door, and could hear my uncle
breathing heavily.

I went and looked out at the dam, which was always worth looking at for
its reflections of the heavens, but it was perfectly still. There was
no raft gliding down towards the building.

Down in the grinders' shop all was still, and in the darkness the
different shafts and wheels looked very curious and threatenin