ather will be at home expecting me."

"No, he will not, Bob," said my father smiling; "he will not be back
from Barnstaple till quite late. Come along, my lad, and we'll have
some lunch, and then begin drill. Had Sam started with the basket,
Sep?"

"No, father," I replied; "but I saw Kicksey packing it when I came
away."

"Sure to be there," said my father; and he led the way up the Gap with
Bigley, to whom he always made a great point of being kind, partly
because he was my old companion, and partly, as I thought, because he
wanted to smooth away any ill feeling, and to make up for the break
between us that kept threatening to come.

This upset Bob, who hung back and began to growl about not being sure he
could stop to drill, and thought that, as we reached the end of the
cliff path, he ought to go now, and altogether he required a great deal
of coaxing to get him along, or rather he professed to want a great
deal, till we reached the mine, where all was going on just as of old,
the wheel turning, the water splashing, furnace roaring, and the pump
keeping on its regular thump.

Old Sam was standing at the counting-house door with a big basket, the
one he always brought over, filled with provisions for our use, as so
much time was spent at the mine; and as my father pulled out a big key,
Sam took in the basket, cleared the table, and threw over it a white
cloth, upon which he spread the provisions.

For a few minutes after we had sat down--Bob Chowne having to be fetched
in, after sliding off so that he might be fetched back--we could not eat
much for feasting our eyes on the bright swords and pistols; but young
appetites would have their way, and we were soon eating heartily till
the meat pasty and custard and cream were completely destroyed.

"A very bold attack," said my father smiling. "Now that ought to make
muscle. Off with your coats, my lads, and roll up your sleeves."

As he spoke he went to the door, and blew an old silver boatswain's
whistle, when work was dropped, and the men came running up quickly from
furnace, and out of the pit and stone-breaking sheds, till ten stout
work-stained fellows stood in a row, showing the effect of the drill and
discipline already brought to bear.

"Like the old days on the quarter-deck," said my father to Bob Chowne.
"Now, Sep, serve out the arms."

I had done this several times before, and rapidly handed to each man his
cutlass and belt, which was as quickly