squeeze on each of the touchholes, so there would be no chance of their
going off till the charges were drawn. Then we could make our way back and
tell Gubbins the guns are disabled, and he can take out a party, carry
them with a rush, and spike them permanently."

"Capital, Dick; I'm with you, old boy."

"Now let us take the exact bearings of the place. There was a lane, you
see, before the houses were pulled down, running along from beyond that
corner nearly to the guns. When we get out we must steer for that, because
it is comparatively clear from rubbish, and we ain't so likely to knock a
stone over and make a row. We must choose some time when they are pounding
away somewhere else, and then we shan't be heard even if we do make a
little noise. We will ask Mrs. Hargreaves for a couple of pieces of
sponge; we need not tell her what we want them for."

"And you think to-night, Dick?"

"Well, to-night is just as likely to succeed as any other night, and the
sooner the thing is done the better. Johnson commands the guard from
twelve to four, and he is an easy-going fellow, and will let us slip out,
while some of the others wouldn't."




CHAPTER XV.

SPIKING THE GUNS.