n all about it; I'll remind him," said Tom; "I
know what will make him as eager as we are for something to eat Mr
Higson," he said, going up to him, "don't you think, sir, it would be
pleasant if we had a dish of Irish stew, with a few bottles of porter to
discuss, while the boats are being put to rights?"

"What made you think of that, youngster?" asked Higson; licking his
lips, however, at the bare thoughts of his favourite dish.

"You told Gordon, sir, when you came up, that you thought of putting in
to try and get something to eat," answered Tom; "he and I are almost
starved; and I should think you and Mr Green and the men must be pretty
sharp set also. Now would be a good opportunity, and Gordon says that
the cottage we saw a quarter of a mile or so off is the one which you
thought so pretty, and where you said you would like to spend the
remainder of your days."

"What business has he to be telling you what I said?" exclaimed Higson;
"I don't approve of you youngsters chattering about me."

"Of course not, sir," said Tom; "but it was the thought of the Irish
stew, or some other nice dish, which the good people of the house might
be inclined to set before us, made us propose asking you to let us go up
and try what we could get."

"Well, I have no objection to make an excursion to the house," said
Higson, "provided we can ascertain that the coast is clear, and I will
take one of you with me. As you can talk French, I shall take you and
leave Gordon to assist the master."

"Thank you, sir," said Tom; "I am pretty sure that there are no Russians
in the neighbourhood, or they would have been down on us some time ago."

Before starting, however, Higson, accompanied by Tom, took the
precaution of climbing to the top of a hill, from whence they could look
up and across the river, and over a considerable part of the right bank.
Not a human being was visible moving anywhere, nor was a boat of any
description to be seen floating on the surface of the stream. Had it
not been for the houses and the cultivated ground, they might have
supposed that they were in some wild country; the fact being, probably,
that the male part of the population had been drawn off either to
garrison the forts or to serve in the army, while the women were
attending to their household duties within doors.

Higson, directing Green to launch the boats as soon as they were
repaired, and to fire a musket should any enemy appear, and promising t