Part 28 (2/2)

Foot by foot the line lengthened, and the balls of yarn grew less, when just in the middle of their task Don made a dash at Je? You'll get everything in a tangle, sir”

”Hush!+ So”

”I can't hear him”

”There is, I tell you Listen!”

Jepie, and then shook it

”nobody,” he said; but hardly had he said the words than he dabbed the rope under him, and seized upon the yarn, threw some of the old sacks upon it, and then laid his hand on Don's shoulder, just as the trap-door was raised softly a few inches, and a pair of eyes appeared at the broad crack

Then the trap e sailor came up, to find Je upon his face, with his ar beneath him

The man came up slowly, and laid the trap back in a careful way, as if to avoid ave hi over the opening and listening

Footsteps were heard directly after, and a fastepped up into the loft

”Well, my lads,” he said, ”how are the sore places?”

Jeet over that Now, ave Don a clap on the shoulder, and the lad started up as if from sleep, and stared at the fresh co ”Men don't wake up fro red in the face Didn't want to speak to ht, I see”

Don did not atteave a sharp look round, letting his eyes rest; for a fewthe

To Don's horror he approached and picked up a piece close to that which served for a couch

”How came all this here?” he said sharply

”Old stuff, sir Been used for the bales o' 'bacco, I s'pose,” said the furtive-looking man

”Humph And so you have made a bed of it, eh? Let's have a look”

The perspiration stood on Don's forehead

”Well,” said the bluff et up? Quick!”

He took a step nearer Don, and was in the act of stooping to take him by the arm, when there was a hail fro over the trap-door