The preparations took some time, the arrangement of the bamboos causing a good deal of trouble. But all this was satisfactorily overcome at last, the trenches filled and trampled down so as not to betray the danger; the kegs were covered in as well, the ground levelled, and dust and stones thrown over. Nothing remained to be done but to attach the wires to the triggers, lay boards over the guns from beneath the matting which covered the powder to the bamboos, and then fill in and level over the boards.
"Who is going to do this, father?" said Harry, who had stood by looking on all through.
"Do what?"
"Fasten the wires to the triggers."
"I am, my boy," said Mr. Kenyon, through his teeth.
"But suppose the guns went off?"
"I am going to provide against that," said Mr. Kenyon firmly, and he ordered the men who formed the screen and guard to advance fifty paces towards the enemy and away from the mines.
"But it will be very dangerous, father."
"Very, Hal; and I want careful guard to be kept over the ends of the wires within the gates, so that they shall not be touched. You and Phra had better take that duty."
"No, don't send me to do that, father," said Harry in rather a husky tone of voice. "I want to stay and help you."