Skinny climbed into the wrecked car, and lifted the end of a tarpauling that covered some barrels.
"There you are," he said, triumphantly. "All the powder you want—nuff to blow up the town."
"I don't suppose they'll let 'em stay here very long," said Hosmer.
"But they can't send them South on the road now," remarked Tevis. "The big bridge is down ten miles below—heard tell of it last night. They will have to go back the other way; not a train's been through for forty hours."
Tevis's grandfather was the station-agent at Middleton, and he spoke with an air of certain knowledge.
"Come, hand up your bottle and we will fill her up," said Skinner, extending his hand.
Will Tevis paused. "I say, fellows," he said, "I don't think it would be right. Do you, Hosmer?"
"A bottleful would never be missed," interposed Skinny. "There's more'n that spilled here on the floor. We must celebrate the Fourth. Why not, boys? Eh!"
It was evident that Master Skinner's intentions were liable to change, however, and that some scruples were arising even in his mind, for he said, testily,
"You're a 'fraid-cat, Will Tevis."