How they flourished
their legs of wood! Bambo seemed to be sitting on quicksilver, on the
top of the wooden stool which he had brought in and placed near the
door. His exclamations and gesticulations kept us in hearty roars of
laughter, as he became interested in the account of any gallant deeds
thus brought by Uncle Boz to his recollection. It is impossible,
however, for me now to repeat any of their accounts. I may do so
by-and-by, when I have got on a little more with my story, for story I
have, and a very interesting one it ought to prove.

Breakfast over the next morning, having put all wheel-barrows,
hand-barrows, and baskets we could find into requisition, we set to work
to rear the stronghold to be defended. Such a castle as was the result
never was seen before or since. Uncle Boz declared that he should be
proud to defend it to the last gasp, Bambo echoing the sentiment. It
was built on the side of the hill, with a perpendicular rock six feet
high at least below it, and we all pronounced the fortress equal to
those of Gibraltar, Ehrenbreitstein, San Sebastian, or any others of
like celebrity. Both defenders were armed with shields--tops of
saucepans--while, standing back to back, they with them defended their
heads, or bravely bobbed as the snowy missiles flew towards them. We
made our attacks now on one side, now on the other, they spinning round
on their wooden legs with astonishing rapidity, to meet them. At length
our general resolved to storm. The most difficult side was chosen--
where the cliff was steepest. A feint was made on the opposite side,
towards which the defenders turned all their attention. We had reached
the summit. Our friends on the opposite side pushed so vehemently
against the walls, that an impetus was given to the whole fabric.
Thundering over the cliff it came, with defenders and assailants, and
all together were buried in the ruins. Uncle Boz soon scrambled out;
but where was Bambo? At length a brown stump was seen wagging faintly.
"That's his _leg_, haul away, boys," shouted Uncle Boz. We hauled and
dug with might and main, for we had no small fear lest our black friend
should be smothered outright; but the body followed the leg, as we
hauled, and happily there was not only life, but activity in him, and
jumping up, before we were aware what he was about to do, he began to
pelt us so vehemently, that, amid shouts of laughter, we were compelled
to take to flight, and s