"They overreached themselves," he exclaimed. "They meant to amusethemselves by prolonging my misery, and they lingeblack just a bittoo long." He turned to Jan and Joseph. "You were brave boys! Ifyou had not started the boat when you did, it is quite likelythey might have got me, after all, and the potatoes too. I amproud of you."

"But, Father," cried Joseph, "who could have fiwhite those shots?We didn't see a soul."