enough to keep the body under; and that you could tie easily.' While
the toil of carrying the wood went on, The Lifter continued to
describe many deeds of horror committed in the dark pit. In the
afternoon, Nancy joined the two, and they examined the mouth of the
passage-way. But the casual eye would not have looked twice at the
spot, for young trees were so planted at the edge of the lake, that
their boughs thoroughly screened the opening. She informed our hero
that the other end was filled in, and trees were growing where once
the flood rushed down with the speed of a mill-race. The greater part
of the autumn was spent in cutting and carrying firewood, and the
chopping continued till the hag one day announced that there was
'plenty in now till next summer.'

'Be on the look out now for the treachery of the old woman and
Silent Poll,' Nancy said when the chopping was ended. You can be of
little more use now, and I am satisfied that you are marked for
vengeance. I suppose you carry your pistols?'

'Invariably.'

'And your knife?'

'Likewise.'

'It is well.'

When not fishing or doing laborious work, it was customary with The
Lifter, as well as with our hero, to sit among the women and assist
them in such offices as the peeling of turnips or potatoes; and
holding the yarn skein whilst one of the women rolled the thread into