st be Pete Warboys."

"But you should ha' spoke, sir," cried David, from over the other side
now. "Mussy on us, you did hit hard."

"Yes; I thought it was Pete, and that he had come at last."

"Come at last!" grumbled David, as Uncle Richard stood silently shaking
with laughter. "Why, he's been--"

Just then there was a scratching sound, a flash of light, and a match
burned brightly beneath the wall. Then another was struck, throwing up
David's figure against the pear-tree, as, shielding the burning splint
with his hands, he held it quickly up and down.

"What are you doing?" said Uncle Richard, as Tom gave a stamp caused by
the pain he felt.

"Looking for my pears, sir, as I was when young Master Tom come and hit
me. There arn't a single one left."

"What!" cried Tom, forgetting the stinging of the cuts on his leg. "Oh,
David, don't say they're all gone!"

"What shall I say then, sir?" grumbled David; and he then drew in his
breath with a hissing sound, and began to rub too.

"Do you mean to say the pears have been stolen while you two were
keeping watch?"

"I dunno, sir," grumbled David. "They're not here now; and I'll take
half a davy as they was here at arpus eight."

"Then be off home to bed. Pretty watchmen, upon my word," cried Uncle
Richard, as he turned off to go up to the house; "it's my belief that
you have both been asleep."

"And I'm afraid that there's about as near the truth as any one can get,
Master Tom," whispered David. "I must ha' been mortal tired to-night.
But you needn't have hit a fellow quite so hard."

"That's what I feel, David; but being so stupid: that's worse than the
stick."

"Well, I dunno 'bout that, sir," said David, still rubbing himself;
"them hazels is werry lahstick, and you put a deal o' muskle into that
first cut."

"Well," said Tom mournfully, "I did hit as hard as I could, David."

"You did, Master Tom, and no mistake. Feels to me it must have cut
right in. But I don't like the master to talk like that. It arn't
nice."

"Come, Tom! Fasten the gate!" shouted Uncle Richard.

"Yes, uncle; I'm coming. Now, David, off home."

"Yes, sir, I'm a-goin'; but after all this trouble to lose them pears.
Oh, Master Tom, it's that there as makes me feel most sore!"

But David kept on rubbing himself gently all the same.

"Pretty pair, 'pon my word!" said Uncle Richard, as Tom came blinking
into the light just as the clock was striking ten. "Then you cou