In a few moments a grave had been dug some three feet deep, and the coffin placed therein, and then covered up—the sods and turfs of grass being replaced so as to conceal every trace of the ground having been disturbed.
“That’s it!” exclaimed one of the robbers, when their task was finished; “the duty o’ the livin’ to the dead is done.”
At that instant a wild scream was heard overhead, and looking up the robbers, as well as our friends in the tree, beheld that horrible, mysterious creature—the Aërial Demon—float over the island and disappear down the stream.
It acted like a charm on the rebellious robbers, for they rushed to their canoe, and in a moment were flying upon the stream, fearing to speak above a whisper.
As soon as they were out of sight our friends descended from the tree.
“Ay, now, and it’s a lovely set of critters they ware,” said the Irishman; “and it’s mees thet’ll dig up the coffin as soon as daylight comes and look into the mather a leetle so I will.”
“I’m sure we have seen all that’s to be seen,” said Walter, “and so let the dead rest.”
“There, now, and it’s yees thet know little av the bloody robber deviltry. There’s a thrick in it, now mind.”
As the night was quite warm, Walter and Frank laid down upon the ground and soon fell asleep, leaving Flick on guard.
When they awoke in the morning the sun was up, and the first thing they saw was Flick O’Flynn just lifting the coffin out the grave.