Part 98 (1/2)
As Samson spoke, he held up his hand, and went back a few yards to reconnoitre.
”Don't see nor hear nothing, Master Fred,” he said, as he returned; ”but we're making a regular path through the wilderness, so plain that soon every one will see.”
”Then we must go for the future to the opening by the lake, and try what we can do there.”
”And get wet!”
”What did you mean by your two ways of finding out whether they are there?”
”Well, sir, one's by putting bread and meat bait afore the hole, and coming to see whether it's been taken.”
”But we've tried that again and again, and it is taken,” said Fred, impatiently. ”What's the other way?”
Samson chuckled, and thrust his hand into his wallet, where he made a rattling noise.
”Don't be stupid, Samson,” cried Fred, angrily. ”What do you mean?”
”These here, sir,” cried Fred's follower, drawing something out of the wallet.
”Well, what's that--flint and steel?”
”Tinder box and bit o' candle, Master Fred. That's the best way, after all.”
”Samson!” cried Fred, joyously. ”I did not think of that. Come along.”
”Stop a moment, my lad; don't let's do nothing rash. Just think a bit.”
”I've no time to think.”
”Ay, but you must, sir. That there's a long hole, and you're thinking of going down it.”
”Yes, of course.”
”Suppose there's somebody at home?”
”That's just what I hope to find.”
”But we shall be like a couple of rabbits running into a fox's hole, and he may bite.”
”Not if he knows that we come as friends.”
”No, Master Fred, p'raps not; but we're enemies.”
”No, we're not, Samson, and you are wasting time.”
”Which I don't want to contradict you, Master Fred; but enemies we are by Act o' Parliament, and that you know as well as me.”
”Then you are afraid of the adventure?”
”Who says so?” growled Samson.