mson chuckled, and thrust his hand into his wallet, where he made a
rattling noise.

"Don't be stupid, Samson," cried Fred, angrily. "What do you mean?"

"These here, sir," cried Fred's follower, drawing something out of the
wallet.

"Well, what's that--flint and steel?"

"Tinder box and bit o' candle, Master Fred. That's the best way, after
all."

"Samson!" cried Fred, joyously. "I did not think of that. Come along."

"Stop a moment, my lad; don't let's do nothing rash. Just think a bit."

"I've no time to think."

"Ay, but you must, sir. That there's a long hole, and you're thinking
of going down it."

"Yes, of course."

"Suppose there's somebody at home?"

"That's just what I hope to find."

"But we shall be like a couple of rabbits running into a fox's hole, and
he may bite."

"Not if he knows that we come as friends."

"No, Master Fred, p'raps not; but we're enemies."

"No, we're not, Samson, and you are wasting time."

"Which I don't want to contradict you, Master Fred; but enemies we are
by Act o' Parliament, and that you know as well as me."

"Then you are afraid of the adventure?"

"Who says so?" growled Samson.

"I do, sir. So you had better go back, and I'll make the venture
alone."

"I wish you was somebody else, Master Fred."

"Why?"

"Oh, I'd know, sir."

"Give me the flint and steel and the candle."

"What for, sir?"

"To light," cried Fred, impatiently.

"Nay, I'm going to light that candle, and I'm going along with you,
Master Fred. Why, what would the colonel say if he found out that I'd
left you in the lurch?"

"Better leave me than give me a coward for a companion."

"Well, I do call that cruel to a man as only wanted to tell you what a
risk it was. Never know'd me to be a coward yet, Master Fred, never! I
only wanted you to understand the worst. Come along, sir."

Before Fred could interfere, Samson had taken two or three strides, and
then made a leap right on to the dead branches which masked the entrance
to the hole. The result was as might be expected; he crashed through
feet first, and disappeared.

"Samson!" exclaimed Fred, as he dashed to the opening.

"I'm all right, sir, so far," said the rough fellow, looking up with a
grim smile on his face. "That's the worst of being a coward and afraid.
It makes you rush at things, instead of taking 'em coolly. Here, let
me help you down."

"I can manage," replied Fred, quietly, as he felt annoyed