NIGHT WATCHING. 413 



" Matter enough," said I. " They have 

 just shot close to your head, or else they've 

 sprung the alarm gun ; I saw the flash from 

 the gun." 



Out they all rolled, some going headlong to 

 the ground, and others tripping up over the 

 stubs. After a while I got them round a bit, 

 and we all went up the ride in the wood. 



" I can smell powder," exclaimed one. 



" I smell pitch burning," said another. 



" Then it's the alarm gun they have sprung," 

 said I. " You stop here whilst I go and look. 

 Yes, here's the case and pitch, string and 

 paper, lying about smouldering ; come and 

 see." So they came and saw for themselves. 



"Well, I never," they exclaimed. " It's a 

 wonder none of us heard it go off. Did you 

 hear any shots before the alarm gun, keeper ?" 



" No, I only heard one report, and knew it 

 must be the alarm gun, because it went off 

 such a bouncer." 



" Ah, they must have run against the gun as 

 soon as they entered the wood, and then 

 bolted," said one. " This gun was set in a 



