CHARGING THE GATE-POSTS 327 



it had been doing. "Jack" carried on the game; 

 then I again ; and at last seven or eight inches were 

 penetrated. This was thought enough. 



Now for the powder ! 



The hole had been bored in a slightly downward 

 direction, so that the charge ran easily into it until it 

 was full within three inches of the outside. 



Where was the fuse ? 



There all right. See that it is stuck well into the 

 powder, and then fall to with the clay and tow. Ram it 

 in hard ; beat it in with mallet on rammer ! Do this to 

 the very utmost of possible capacity, lest by any chance 

 it be blown out and the gate-post remain unhurt. 

 There, we can make no better of it. It is all ready to 

 be fired ; so let us on to the next gate, for we must have 

 the three charged first, and then enjoy the sport as we 

 go home. 



It is really like a last night's adventure while I recall 

 this a walk of a mile, and another post operated on ; 

 then on to the last, and behold all is now ready. The 

 work has taken between two and three hours ; but it is 

 done and, with hearts beating, we approach the climax. 



A strict search is made to make sure that no one is 

 near ; for it would never do to have an accident. The 

 place is still as death, and not a footfall sounds upon the 

 road. All is safe. The moon casts a sickly light upon 

 the scene, and the doomed gate, hanging on its con- 

 demned post, looms out against the background of white 

 road, almost preternaturally large, and, as it were, 

 instinct with ghostly life. 



"Jack" holds the match-box. 



"Give it me," I cried, trembling with excitement, 

 "and be getting away." 



