When full, the weight of the liquid kept the bottom in its place, but it was evident that if the bottom was removed, as it easily could be, the contents would escape.
Petrus, after an inspection, pronounced them "just the thing," adding—
"Now we must fill them with tar."
"No, no," said Monday. "Put tar in one, wery hot; in nodder put dis here paint, also werry hot; and in de oder put water, bilin' hot."
"Good."
Then the three sat down by the large fireplace in the kitchen, and deliberately began their cooking.
Monday devoted his attention to the heating of several pounds of mixed paint.
Sunday boiled a barrel of tar, while Petrus attended to a large cauldron of water.
Ten minutes before the hands of the clock pointed to half-past twelve, all the cooks had completed their work.
The paint, tar, and water, all at boiling heat, had been placed in the iron pails with the movable bottoms, and one of these had been hung over each bedroom door.