"What be goin' to do?" asked Sam.
"To see how many tubs there are," he said.
"If there be a million they bean't no good wi' all the sperits gone a-lost," said Sam. "Howsomever, 'twill be summat to do to count 'em, and keep us from the squitchems."
They regained the cave. Dick, bending so that the light of the candle shone full into the hole in the wall, began to scrape away with his knife the earth that partially concealed the second barrel. Not to be backward, Sam set to work in the same way a little to the right. The second tub was soon unearthed, then a third.
"We must be careful not to disturb the earth above," said Dick, "or we shall have the rest covered up again. I believe there are a good number here."
"All leery," said Sam with a sigh. "But I don't care who the man is, they bean't leerier nor I.... There's my tongue runnin' to vittals again; I reckon 'tis because I hain't done growin'."
After resting a while, they resumed their work. In course of time, they had a row of ten or twelve barrels standing against the wall.
"I wish there was something else," said Dick.
"What yer manin' be 'tis not for me to say," said Sam, "but my feelings be just the same. Why, dash my bones, here be summat else; a box, Maister; look at un."
He drew forth a long flat box, which he shook as he had shaken the barrels.