Do n't you remember him , child ? He thought you were all asleep , so crept out to tell me and let me in . '' `` How did he get in himself ? '' asked Gwen , glad to turn the conversation . `` Found the shed door open , and surprised the camp by a flank movement . You would n't do for picket duty , boys , '' laughed Captain Tom , enjoying the dismay of the lads . `` Oh , thunder ! I forgot to bolt it when we first went for the wood . Had to open it , the place was so plaguy dark , '' muttered Bob , much disgusted . `` Where 's Pat ? '' asked Tony , with great presence of mind , feeling anxious to shift all blame to his broad shoulders . Uncle Ed shook the snow from his hair and clothes , and , poking up the fire , leisurely sat down and took Gus on his knee before he replied , -- `` Serve out the grog , Tom , while I spin my yarn . '' Round went the can of hot coffee , and a few sips brightened up the young folks immensely , so that they listened with great interest to the tale of Pat 's mishaps . `` The scamp was half-seas over when he started , and deserves all he got . In the first place he lost his way , then tumbled overboard , and let the horses go . He floundered after them a mile or two , then lost his bearings in the storm , pitched into a ditch , broke his head , and lay there till found . The fellows carried him to a house off the road , and there he is in a nice state ; for , being his countrymen , they dosed him with whiskey till he was ` quite and aisy , ' and went to sleep , forgetting all about you , the horses , and his distracted mistress at home . The animals were stopped at the cross-roads , and there we found them after a lively cruise round the country . Then we hunted up Pat ; but what with the blow and too many drops of ` the crayther , ' his head was in a muddle , and we could get nothing out of him . So we went home again , and then your mother remembered that you had mentioned stopping here , and we fitted out a new craft and set sail , prepared for a long voyage .
Your father was away , so XXXXX volunteered , and here we are . ''
Bob Gus Gwen Tom Tony crayther cross-roads grog mishaps sips