“Uncle Bob’s right!” I cried with an intense feeling of relief; “that was not powder, and they only tried to frighten us.”
Puff!
There was a sharp flash from each end of the iron tube, and one little ball of white smoke came into the office, while another darted out into the sunny morning air.
“Wrong, Cob,” said Uncle Jack. “Splendidly-made fuse and tremendously-strong powder. We have had a very narrow escape. Now, lads, what’s to be done?”
“What do you say, Jack?” said Uncle Dick.
“Do our duty—be always on the watch—fight it out.”
“That’s settled,” said Uncle Dick. “Now let’s get to work again. Cob, you can come and see us cast some steel ingots if you like.”
“Cast!” I said.
“Yes, cast. You know what that is?”
“Yes, of course.”