other fellows wanted to confer an
honour upon you, even though you are the youngest of the party. That's
what comes of always being good-natured, and ready to do a comrade a
friendly turn. We shall get this pole into position without your help,
and you might find yourself in trouble at home by remaining
out-of-doors as long as I think it will be necessary for us to stay."

"Aren't you going to work at once?"

"I don't think it will be safe until one o'clock," Amos replied,
decidedly, and Hardy Baker exclaimed, petulantly:

"That's foolishness! It is after ten now, and we sha'n't see a dozen
people between here and Hanover Street. Are you afraid, Amos?"

"Do you think it?"

"I asked the question, that's all."

"If I thought you really meant it I should have a little task to
perform now, before we set about Master Lillie's business, in giving
you a warning against letting your tongue run away with your wits."

"I was only in sport, Amos," Hardy hastened to say, as he understood
that his friend was angry. "Of course I didn't suppose for a moment
you were afraid; but it seems to me as if we might get through with
the work at once, rather than wait around here all night. The 'bloody
backs' won't dare touch us so long as we are simply walking through
the streets, even though we _are_ carrying a pole."

Jim Gray appeared to be of the same opinion, and Amos, understanding
that his companions did not recognise the necessity for so much
prudence, gave way.

"If we wait till past midnight there will be no mistake about doing as
we wish, while to set out now may bring us into trouble," he said,
thoughtfully. "However, if you are of the mind that we should go on with
the work at this hour, taking all the chances of failure, I am ready."

"Come on, then!" Jim shouted, as he seized one end of the pole. "I
want to do my share of the work, and at the same time, slip into bed
before daylight."

"How are we to fasten it when we get there?" Chris asked.

"The best way will be to dig a hole, and set it down so far that it
cannot be pulled over without considerable labor," Hardy suggested,
and Jim added:

"There's a spade in the woodhouse. Let Chris bring that along, and the
rest of us will carry the pole."

"Something more than that will be necessary, because the ground is
frozen. Look around for an axe; we shall be obliged to work our way
through the frost," Amos cried.

Chris found the necessary implements without diff