sign against us on hand. Above all, they have taken a great dislike
to you, and in their blind belief that you are one of the causes of
their trouble they evidently feel spiteful and will not shrink from
doing you harm. And that's rather a long-winded speech," he added,
smiling.

"Can't we make them see that we are working for them instead of against
them?" said Uncle Dick.

"No," said Uncle Bob. "No one can teach prejudiced workmen. The light
comes to them some day, but it takes a long time to get through their
dense brains. I think Cob must go."

"Oh! Uncle Bob," I exclaimed.

"I can't help it," my lad. "There seems to be no help for it. I shall
regret it horribly, for your uncles are very poor company."

"Thankye," said Uncle Dick.

"Nice remark from the most stupid of three brothers," grumbled Uncle
Jack.

"But you ought not to be exposed to these risks," continued Uncle Bob,
"and now that by your own showing there is something worse on the way."

"Oh, it can't be worse than it has been; and besides, the men said I was
always the first to find anything out. You see I have this time--
again."

"Yes, with a vengeance," said Uncle Jack.

"And I'm sure you can't spare me."

"No, we can ill spare you, Cob," said Uncle Dick, "but we should not be
doing our duty if we kept you here."

"Now, uncle," I cried, "I believe if I went home--though, of course,
they would be very glad to see me--my father would say I ought to be
ashamed of myself for leaving you three in the lurch."

"Look here! Look here! Look here!" cried Uncle Bob. "We can't sit
here and be dictated to by this boy. He has run risks enough, and he
had better go back to them at once."

"Oh, you see if I would have said a word if I had known that you would
have served me like this!" I cried angrily. "Anyone would think I was
a schoolgirl."

"Instead of a man of sixteen," said Uncle Bob.

"Never mind," I cried, "you were sixteen once, Uncle Bob."

"Quite right, my boy, so I was, and a conceited young rascal I was,
almost as cocky as you are."

"Thank you, uncle."

"Only I had not been so spoiled by three easy-going, good-natured
uncles, who have made you think that you are quite a man."

"Thank you, uncle," I said again, meaning to be very sarcastic.

"Instead of a soft stripling full of sap."

"And not fit to stand against the blows of oak cudgels and the injured
Arrowfield workmen," said Uncle Dick.

"Oh, all right! B