Knifton，withtheirgroombehindthem，ridinguptotheBlackCottage。Itwaspartoftheyounglady’skindnessnevertoneglectanopportunityofcomingtopaymeafriendlyvisit，andherhusbandwasgenerallywillingtoaccompanyherforhiswife’ssake。Imademybestcourtesy，therefore，withagreatdealofpleasure，butwithnoparticularsurpriseatseeingthem。Theydismountedandenteredthecottage，laughingandtalkingingreatspirits。Isoonheardthattheywereridingtothesamecountytownforwhichmyfatherwasboundandthattheyintendedtostaywithsomefriendsthereforafewdays，andtoreturnhomeonhorseback，astheywentout。
Iheardthis，andIalsodiscoveredthattheyhadbeenhavinganargument，injest，aboutmoney—matters，astheyrodealongtoourcottage。Mrs。Kniftonhadaccusedherhusbandofinveterateextravagance，andofneverbeingabletogooutwithmoneyinhispocketwithoutspendingitall，ifhepossiblycould，beforehegothomeagain。Mr。Kniftonhadlaughinglydefendedhimselfbydeclaringthatallhispocket—moneywentinpresentsforhiswife，andthat，ifhespentitlavishly，itwasunderhersoleinfluenceandsuperintendence。
\"WearegoingtoClivertonnow，\"hesaidtoMrs。Knifton，namingthecountytown，andwarminghimselfatourpoorfirejustaspleasantlyasifhehadbeenstandingonhisowngrandhearth。
\"YouwillstoptoadmireeveryprettythingineveryoneoftheClivertonshop—windows；Ishallhandyouthepurse，andyouwillgoinandbuy。Whenwehavereachedhomeagain，andyouhavehadtimetogettiredofyourpurchases，youwillclaspyourhandsinamazement，anddeclarethatyouarequiteshockedatmyhabitsofinveterateextravagance。Iamonlythebankerwhokeepsthemoney；you，mylove，arethespendthriftwhothrowsitallaway！\"
\"AmI，sir？\"saidMrs。Knifton，withalookofmockindignation。
\"WewillseeifIamtobemisrepresentedinthiswaywithimpunity。Bessie，mydear\"（turningtome），\"youshalljudgehowfarIdeservethecharacterwhichthatunscrupulousmanhasjustgiventome。_I_amthespendthrift，amI？Andyouareonlythebanker？Verywell。Banker，givememymoneyatonce，ifyouplease！\"
Mr。Kniftonlaughed，andtooksomegoldandsilverfromhiswaistcoatpocket。
\"No，no，\"saidMrs。Knifton，\"youmaywantwhatyouhavegottherefornecessaryexpenses。Isthatallthemoneyyouhaveaboutyou？WhatdoIfeelhere？\"andshetappedherhusbandonthechest，justoverthebreast—pocketofhiscoat。
Mr。Kniftonlaughedagain，andproducedhispocketbook。Hiswifesnatcheditoutofhishand，openedit，anddrewoutsomebank—notes，putthembackagainimmediately，and，closingthepocketbook，steppedacrosstheroomtomypoormother’slittlewalnut—woodbook—case，theonlybitofvaluablefurniturewehadinthehouse。
\"Whatareyougoingtodothere？\"askedMr。Knifton，followinghiswife。
Mrs。Kniftonopenedtheglassdoorofthebook—case，putthepocketbookinavacantplaceononeofthelowershelves，closedandlockedthedooragain，andgavemethekey。
\"Youcalledmeaspendthriftjustnow，\"shesaid。\"Thereismyanswer。NotonefarthingofthatmoneyshallyouspendatClivertonon_me_。Keepthekeyinyourpocket，Bessie，and，whateverMr。Kniftonmaysay，onnoaccountlethimhaveituntilwecallagainonourwayback。No，sir，Iwon’ttrustyouwiththatmoneyinyourpocketinthetownofCliverton。Iwillmakesureofyourtakingitallhomeagain，byleavingithereinmoretrustworthyhandsthanyoursuntilwerideback。Bessie，mydear，whatdoyousaytothatasalessonineconomyinflictedonaprudenthusbandbyaspendthriftwife？\"
ShetookMr。Knifton’sarmwhileshespoke，anddrewhimawaytothedoor。Heprotestedandmadesomeresistance，butsheeasilycarriedherpoint，forhewasfartoofondofhertohaveawillofhisowninanytriflingmatterbetweenthem。Whateverthemenmightsay，Mr。Kniftonwasamodelhusbandintheestimationofallthewomenwhoknewhim。
\"Youwillseeusaswecomeback，Bessie。Tillthen，youareourbanker，andthepocketbookisyours，\"criedMrs。Knifton，gayly，atthedoor。Herhusbandliftedherintothesaddle，mountedhimself，andawaytheybothgallopedoverthemooraswildandhappyasacoupleofchildren。
AlthoughmybeingtrustedwithmoneybyMrs。Kniftonwasnonovelty（inhermaidendaysshealwaysemployedmetopayherdress—maker’sbills），Ididnotfeelquiteeasyathavingapocketbookfullofbank—notesleftbyherinmycharge。Ihadnopositiveapprehensionsaboutthesafetyofthedepositplacedinmyhands，butitwasoneoftheoddpointsinmycharacterthen（andIthinkitisstill）tofeelanunreasonablystrongobjectiontochargingmyselfwithmoneyresponsibilitiesofanykind，eventosuittheconvenienceofmydearestfriends。AssoonasIwasleftalone，theverysightofthepocketbookbehindtheglassdoorofthebook—casebegantoworryme，andinsteadofreturningtomywork，Ipuzzledmybrainsaboutfindingaplacetolockitupin，whereitwouldnotbeexposedtotheviewofanychancepassers—bywhomightstrayintotheBlackCottage。
Thiswasnotaneasymattertocompassinapoorhouselikeours，wherewehadnothingvaluabletoputunderlockandkey。Afterrunningovervarioushiding—placesinmymind，Ithoughtofmytea—caddy，apresentfromMrs。Knifton，whichIalwayskeptoutofharm’swayinmyownbedroom。Mostunluckily——asitafterwardturnedout——insteadoftakingthepocketbooktothetea—caddy，I
wentintomyroomfirsttotakethetea—caddytothepocketbook。
Ionlyactedinthisroundaboutwayfromsheerthoughtlessness，andseverelyenoughIwaspunishedforit，asyouwillacknowledgeyourselfwhenyouhavereadapageortwomoreofmystory。
Iwasjustgettingtheunluckytea—caddyoutofmycupboard，whenIheardfootstepsinthepassage，and，runningoutimmediately，sawtwomenwalkintothekitchen——theroominwhichIhadreceivedMr。andMrs。Knifton。Iinquiredwhattheywantedsharplyenough，andoneofthemansweredimmediatelythattheywantedmyfather。Heturnedtowardme，ofcourse，ashespoke，andIrecognizedhimasastone—mason，goingamonghiscomradesbythenameofShiftyDick。Heboreaverybadcharacterforeverythingbutwrestling，asportforwhichtheworkingmenofourpartswerefamousallthroughthecounty。ShiftyDickwaschampion，andhehadgothisnamefromsometricksofwrestling，forwhichhewascelebrated。Hewasatall，heavyman，withalowering，scarredface，andhugehairyhands——thelastvisitorinthewholeworldthatIshouldhavebeengladtoseeunderanycircumstances。Hiscompanionwasastranger，whomheaddressedbythenameofJerry——aquick，dapper，wicked—lookingman，whotookoffhiscaptomewithmockpoliteness，andshowed，insodoing，averybaldhead，withsomeveryugly—lookingknobsonit。I
distrustedhimworsethanIdidShiftyDick，andmanagedtogetbetweenhisleeringeyesandthebook—case，asItoldthetwothatmyfatherwasgoneout，andthatIdidnotexpecthimbacktillthenextday。
ThewordswerehardlyoutofmymouthbeforeIrepentedthatmyanxietytogetridofmyunwelcomevisitorshadmademeincautiousenoughtoacknowledgethatmyfatherwouldbeawayfromhomeforthewholenight。
ShiftyDickandhiscompanionlookedateachotherwhenI
unwiselyletoutthetruth，butmadenoremarkexcepttoaskmeifIwouldgivethemadropofcider。IansweredsharplythatI
hadnociderinthehouse，havingnofearoftheconsequencesofrefusingthemdrink，becauseIknewthatplentyofmenwereatworkwithinhail，inaneighboringquarry。ThetwolookedateachotheragainwhenIdeniedhavinganycidertogivethem；andJerry（asIamobligedtocallhim，knowingnoothernamebywhichtodistinguishthefellow）tookoffhiscaptomeoncemore，and，withakindofblackguardgentilityuponhim，saidtheywouldhavethepleasureofcallingthenextday，whenmyfatherwasathome。Isaidgood—afternoonasungraciouslyaspossible，and，tomygreatrelief，theybothleftthecottageimmediatelyafterward。
Assoonastheywerewellaway，Iwatchedthemfromthedoor。
TheytrudgedoffinthedirectionofMoorFarm；and，asitwasbeginningtogetdusk，Isoonlostsightofthem。
HalfanhourafterwardIlookedoutagain。
Thewindhadlulledwiththesunset，butthemistwasrising，andaheavyrainwasbeginningtofall。Neverdidthelonelyprospectofthemoorlooksodrearyasitlookedtomyeyesthatevening。
NeverdidIregretanyslightthingmoresincerelythanIthenregrettedtheleavingofMr。Knifton’spocketbookinmycharge。I
cannotsaythatIsufferedunderanyactualalarm，forIfeltnexttocertainthatneitherShiftyDicknorJerryhadgotachanceofsettingeyesonsosmallathingasthepocketbookwhiletheywereinthekitchen；buttherewasakindofvaguedistrusttroublingme——asuspicionofthenight——adislikeofbeingleftbymyself，whichIneverrememberhavingexperiencedbefore。ThisfeelingsoincreasedafterIhadclosedthedoorandgonebacktothekitchen，that，whenIheardthevoicesofthequarrymenastheypassedourcottageontheirwayhometothevillageinthevalleybelowMoorFarm，IsteppedoutintothepassagewithamomentarynotionoftellingthemhowIwassituated，andaskingthemforadviceandprotection。
Ihadhardlyformedthisidea，however，beforeIdismissedit。
Noneofthequarrymenwereintimatefriendsofmine。Ihadanoddingacquaintancewiththem，andbelievedthemtobehonestmen，astimeswent。ButmyowncommonsensetoldmethatwhatlittleknowledgeoftheircharactersIhadwasbynomeanssufficienttowarrantmeinadmittingthemintomyconfidenceinthematterofthepocketbook。Ihadseenenoughofpovertyandpoormentoknowwhataterribletemptationalargesumofmoneyistothosewhosewholelivesarepassedinscrapingupsixpencesbywearyhardwork。Itisonethingtowritefinesentimentsinbooksaboutincorruptiblehonesty，andanotherthingtoputthosesentimentsinpracticewhenoneday’sworkisallthatamanhastosetupinthewayofanobstaclebetweenstarvationandhisownfireside。
TheonlyresourcethatremainedwastocarrythepocketbookwithmetoMoorFarm，andaskpermissiontopassthenightthere。ButIcouldnotpersuademyselfthattherewasanyrealnecessityfortakingsuchacourseasthis；and，ifthetruthmustbetold，mypriderevoltedattheideaofpresentingmyselfinthecharacterofacowardbeforethepeopleatthefarm。Timidityisthoughtratheragracefulattractionamongladies，butamongpoorwomenitissomethingtobelaughedat。AwomanwithlessspiritofherownthanIhad，andalwaysshallhave，wouldhaveconsideredtwiceinmysituationbeforeshemadeuphermindtoencounterthejokesofplowmenandthejeersofmilkmaids。Asforme，IhadhardlyconsideredaboutgoingtothefarmbeforeIdespisedmyselfforentertaininganysuchnotion。\"No，no，\"thoughtI，\"I
amnotthewomantowalkamileandahalfthroughrain，andmist，anddarknesstotellawholekitchenfulofpeoplethatIamafraid。Comewhatmay，hereIstoptillfathergetsback。\"
Havingarrivedatthatvaliantresolution，thefirstthingIdidwastolockandboltthebackandfrontdoors，andseetothesecurityofeveryshutterinthehouse。
Thatdutyperformed，Imadeablazingfire，lightedmycandle，andsatdowntotea，assnugandcomfortableaspossible。Icouldhardlybelievenow，withthelightintheroom，andthesenseofsecurityinspiredbythecloseddoorsandshutters，thatIhadeverfelteventheslightestapprehensionearlierintheday。I
sangasIwashedupthetea—things；andeventhecatseemedtocatchtheinfectionofmygoodspirits。Ineverknewtheprettycreaturesoplayfulasshewasthatevening。
Thetea—thingsputby，Itookupmyknitting，andworkedawayatitsolongthatIbeganatlasttogetdrowsy。ThefirewassobrightandcomfortingthatIcouldnotmusterresolutionenoughtoleaveitandgotobed。Isatstaringlazilyintotheblaze，withmyknittingonmylap——sattillthesplashingoftherainoutsideandthefitful，sullensobbingofthewindgrewfainterandfainteronmyear。ThelastsoundsIheardbeforeIfairlydozedofftosleepwerethecheerfulcracklingofthefireandthesteadypurringofthecat，asshebaskedluxuriouslyinthewarmlightonthehearth。ThosewerethelastsoundsbeforeI
fellasleep。Thesoundthatwokemewasoneloudbangatthefrontdoor。
Istartedup，withmyheart（asthesayingis）inmymouth，withafrightfulmomentaryshudderingattherootsofmyhair——I
startedupbreathless，coldandmotionless，waitinginthesilenceIhardlyknewforwhat，doubtfulatfirstwhetherIhaddreamedaboutthebangatthedoor，orwhethertheblowhadreallybeenstruckonit。
Inaminuteorlesstherecameasecondbang，louderthanthefirst。Iranoutintothepassage。
\"Who’sthere？\"
\"Letusin，\"answeredavoice，whichIrecognisedimmediatelyasthevoiceofShiftyDick。
\"Waitabit，mydear，andletmeexplain，\"saidasecondvoice，inthelow，oily，jeeringtonesofDick’scompanion——thewickedlycleverlittlemanwhomhecalledJerry。\"Youarealoneinthehouse，myprettylittledear。Youmaycrackyoursweetvoicewithscreeching，andthere’snobodyneartohearyou。Listentoreason，mylove，andletusin。Wedon’twantciderthistime——weonlywantaveryneat—lookingpocketbookwhichyouhappentohave，andyourlateexcellentmother’sfoursilverteaspoons，whichyoukeepsoniceandcleanonthechimney—piece。Ifyouletusinwewon’thurtahairofyourhead，mycherub，andwepromisetogoawaythemomentwehavegotwhatwewant，unlessyouparticularlywishustostoptotea。Ifyoukeepusout，weshallbeobligedtobreakintothehouseandthen——\"
\"Andthen，\"burstinShiftyDick，\"we’ll_mash_you！\"
\"Yes，\"saidJerry，\"we’llmashyou，mybeauty。Butyouwon’tdriveustodoingthat，willyou？Youwillletusin？\"
Thislongparleygavemetimetorecoverfromtheeffectwhichthefirstbangatthedoorhadproducedonmynerves。Thethreatsofthetwovillainswouldhaveterrifiedsomewomenoutoftheirsenses，buttheonlyresulttheyproducedon_me_wasviolentindignation。Ihad，thankGod，astrongspiritofmyown，andthecool，contemptuousinsolenceofthemanJerryeffectuallyrousedit。
\"Youcowardlyvillains！\"Iscreamedatthemthroughthedoor。
\"YouthinkyoucanfrightenmebecauseIamonlyapoorgirlleftaloneinthehouse。Youragamuffinthieves，Idefyyouboth！Ourboltsarestrong，ourshuttersarethick。Iamheretokeepmyfather’shousesafe，andkeepitIwillagainstanarmyofyou！\"
YoumayimaginewhatapassionIwasinwhenIvaporedandblusteredinthatway。IheardJerrylaughandShiftyDickswearawholemouthfulofoaths。Thentherewasadeadsilenceforaminuteortwo，andthenthetworuffiansattackedthedoor。
Irushedintothekitchenandseizedthepoker，andthenheapedwoodonthefire，andlightedallthecandlesIcouldfind；forI
feltasthoughIcouldkeepupmycouragebetterifIhadplentyoflight。Strangeandimprobableasitmayappear，thenextthingthatattractedmyattentionwasmypoorpussy，crouchedup，panic—stricken，inacorner。IwassofondofthelittlecreaturethatItookherupinmyarmsandcarriedherintomybedroomandputherinsidemybed。Acomicalthingtodoinasituationofdeadlyperil，wasitnot？Butitseemedquitenaturalandproperatthetime。
Allthiswhiletheblowswerefallingfasterandfasteronthedoor。Theyweredealt，asIconjectured，withheavystonespickedupfromthegroundoutside。Jerrysangathiswickedwork，andShiftyDickswore。AsIleftthebedroomafterputtingthecatundercover，Iheardthelowerpanelofthedoorbegintocrack。
Iranintothekitchenandhuddledourfoursilverspoonsintomypocket；thentooktheunluckybookwiththebank—notesandputitinthebosomofmydress。Iwasdeterminedtodefendthepropertyconfidedtomycarewithmylife。JustasIhadsecuredthepocketbookIheardthedoorsplintering，andrushedintothepassageagainwithmyheavykitchenpokerliftedinbothhands。
IwasintimetoseethebaldheadofJerry，withtheugly—lookingknobsonit，pushedintothepassagethroughagreatrentinoneofthelowerpanelsofthedoor。
\"Getout，youvillain，orI’llbrainyouonthespot！\"I
screeched，threateninghimwiththepoker。
Mr。Jerrytookhisheadoutagainmuchfasterthanheputitin。
Thenextthingthatcamethroughtherentwasalongpitchfork，whichtheydartedatmefromtheoutside，tomovemefromthedoor。Istruckatitwithallmymight，andtheblowmusthavejarredthehandofShiftyDickuptohisveryshoulder，forI
heardhimgivearoarofrageandpain。BeforehecouldcatchattheforkwithhisotherhandIhaddrawnitinside。BythistimeevenJerrylosthistemperandsworemoreawfullythanDickhimself。
Thentherecameanotherminuteofrespite。Isuspectedtheyhadgonetogetbiggerstones，andIdreadedthegivingwayofthewholedoor。
Runningintothebedroomasthisfearbesetme，Ilaidholdofmychestofdrawers，draggeditintothepassage，andthrewitdownagainstthedoor。OnthetopofthatIheapedmyfather’sbigtoolchest，threechairs，andascuttlefulofcoals；andlast，I
draggedoutthekitchentableandrammeditashardasIcouldagainstthewholebarricade。Theyheardmeastheywerecominguptothedoorwithfreshstones。Jerrysaid：\"Stopabit！\"andthenthetwoconsultedtogetherinwhispers。Ilistenedeagerly，andjustcaughtthesewords：
\"Let’stryittheotherway。\"
Nothingmorewassaid，butIheardtheirfootstepsretreatingfromthedoor。
Weretheygoingtobesiegethebackdoornow？
IhadhardlyaskedmyselfthatquestionwhenIheardtheirvoicesattheothersideofthehouse。Thebackdoorwassmallerthanthefront，butithadthisadvantageinthewayofstrength——itwasmadeoftwosolidoakboardsjoinedlengthwise，andstrengthenedinsidebyheavycrosspieces。Ithadnoboltslikethefrontdoor，butwasfastenedbyabarofironrunningacrossitinaslantingdirection，andfittingateitherendintothewall。
\"Theymusthavethewholecottagedownbeforetheycanbreakinatthatdoor！\"Ithoughttomyself。Andtheysoonfoundoutasmuchforthemselves。Afterfiveminutesofbangingatthebackdoortheygaveupanyfurtherattackinthatdirectionandcasttheirheavystonesdownwithcursesoffuryawfultohear。
Iwentintothekitchenanddroppedonthewindow—seattorestforamoment。Suspenseandexcitementtogetherwerebeginningtotelluponme。Theperspirationbrokeoutthickonmyforehead，andIbegantofeelthebruisesIhadinflictedonmyhandsinmakingthebarricadeagainstthefrontdoor。Ihadnotlostaparticleofmyresolution，butIwasbeginningtolosestrength。
Therewasabottleofruminthecupboard，whichmybrotherthesailorhadleftwithusthelasttimehewasashore。Idrankadropofit。NeverbeforeorsincehaveIputanythingdownmythroatthatdidmehalfsomuchgoodasthatpreciousmouthfulofrum！
Iwasstillsittinginthewindow—seatdryingmyface，whenI
suddenlyheardtheirvoicesclosebehindme。
TheywerefeelingtheoutsideofthewindowagainstwhichIwassitting。Itwasprotected，likealltheotherwindowsinthecottage，byironbars。Ilistenedindreadfulsuspenseforthesoundoffiling，butnothingofthesortwasaudible。Theyhadevidentlyreckonedonfrighteningmeeasilyintolettingthemin，andhadcomeunprovidedwithhouse—breakingtoolsofanykind。A
freshburstofoathsinformedmethattheyhadrecognizedtheobstacleoftheironbars。Ilistenedbreathlesslyforsomewarningofwhattheyweregoingtodonext，buttheirvoicesseemedtodieawayinthedistance。Theywereretreatingfromthewindow。Weretheyalsoretreatingfromthehousealtogether？Hadtheygivenuptheideaofeffectinganentranceindespair？
Alongsilencefollowed——asilencewhichtriedmycourageevenmoreseverelythanthetumultoftheirfirstattackonthecottage。
Dreadfulsuspicionsnowbesetmeoftheirbeingabletoaccomplishbytreacherywhattheyhadfailedtoeffectbyforce。
WellasIknewthecottage，IbegantodoubtwhethertheremightnotbewaysofcunninglyandsilentlyenteringitagainstwhichI
wasnotprovided。Thetickingoftheclockannoyedme；thecracklingofthefirestartledme。Ilookedouttwentytimesinaminuteintothedarkcornersofthepassage，strainingmyeyes，holdingmybreath，anticipatingthemostunlikelyevents，themostimpossibledangers。Hadtheyreallygone，orweretheystillprowlingaboutthehouse？Oh，whatasumofmoneyIwouldhavegivenonlytohaveknownwhattheywereaboutinthatintervalofsilence！
Iwasstartledatlastoutofmysuspenseinthemostawfulmanner。Ashoutfromoneofthemreachedmyearsonasuddendownthekitchenchimney。ItwassounexpectedandsohorribleinthestillnessthatIscreamedforthefirsttimesincetheattackonthehouse。Myworstforebodingshadneversuggestedtomethatthetwovillainsmightmountupontheroof。
\"Letusin，youshe—devil！\"roaredavoicedownthechimney。
Therewasanotherpause。Thesmokefromthewoodfire，thinandlightasitwasintheredstateoftheembersatthatmoment，hadevidentlyobligedthemantotakehisfacefromthemouthofthechimney。Icountedthesecondswhilehewas，asI
conjectured，gettinghisbreathagain。Inlessthanhalfaminutetherecameanothershout：
\"Letusin，orwe’llburntheplacedownoveryourhead！\"
Burnit？Burnwhat？Therewasnothingeasilycombustiblebutthethatchontheroof；andthathadbeenwellsoakedbytheheavyrainwhichhadnowfallenincessantlyformorethansixhours。
Burntheplaceovermyhead？How？
WhileIwasstillcastingaboutwildlyinmymindtodiscoverwhatpossibledangertherecouldbeoffire，oneoftheheavystonesplacedonthethatchtokeepitfrombeingtornupbyhighwindscamethunderingdownthechimney。Itscatteredtheliveembersonthehearthallovertheroom。Arichly—furnishedplace，withknickknacksandfinemuslinaboutit，wouldhavebeensetonfireimmediately。Evenourbarefloorandroughfurnituregaveoutasmellofburningatthefirstshowerofemberswhichthefirststonescattered。
ForaninstantIstoodquitehorror—struckbeforethisnewproofofthedevilishingenuityofthevillainsoutside。ButthedreadfuldangerIwasnowinrecalledmetomysensesimmediately。Therewasalargecanfulofwaterinmybedroom，andIraninatoncetofetchit。BeforeIcouldgetbacktothekitchenasecondstonehadbeenthrowndownthechimney，andthefloorwassmolderinginseveralplaces。
Ihadwitenoughtoletthesmolderinggoonforamomentortwomore，andtopourthewholeofmycanfulofwateroverthefirebeforethethirdstonecamedownthechimney。TheliveembersonthefloorIeasilydisposedofafterthat。ThemanontheroofmusthaveheardthehissingofthefireasIputitout，andhavefeltthechangeproducedintheairatthemouthofthechimney，forafterthethirdstonehaddescendednomorefollowedit。Asforeitheroftheruffiansthemselvesdroppingdownbythesameroadalongwhichthestoneshadcome，thatwasnottobedreaded。
Thechimney，asIwellknewbyourexperienceincleaningit，wastoonarrowtogivepassagetoanyoneabovethesizeofasmallboy。
Ilookedupwardasthatcomfortingreflectioncrossedmymind——I
lookedup，andsaw，asplainlyasIseethepaperIamnowwritingon，thepointofaknifecomingthroughtheinsideoftheroofjustovermyhead。Ourcottagehadnoupperstory，andourroomshadnoceilings。Slowlyandwickedlytheknifewriggleditswaythroughthedryinsidethatchbetweentherafters。Itstoppedforawhile，andtherecameasoundoftearing。That，initsturn，stoppedtoo；therewasagreatfallofdrythatchonthefloor；andIsawtheheavy，hairyhandofShiftyDick，armedwiththeknife，comethroughafterthefallenfragments。Hetappedattherafterswiththebackoftheknife，asiftotesttheirstrength。ThankGod，theyweresubstantialandclosetogether！
Nothinglighterthanahatchetwouldhavesufficedtoremoveanypartofthem。
ThemurderoushandwasstilltappingwiththeknifewhenIheardashoutfromthemanJerry，comingfromtheneighborhoodofmyfather’sstone—shedinthebackyard。Thehandandknifedisappearedinstantly。Iwenttothebackdoorandputmyeartoit，andlistened。
Bothmenwerenowintheshed。Imadethemostdesperateeffortstocalltomindwhattoolsandotherthingswereleftinitwhichmightbeusedagainstme。Butmyagitationconfusedme。Icouldremembernothingexceptmyfather’sbigstone—saw，whichwasfartooheavyandunwieldytobeusedontheroofofthecottage。I