Rob went at the johnny-cake, and soon had it baking before the fire in the
old tin box which housewives used in those days.

“I tell you what, Rob,” said Johnnie, as he turned the nicely-browning
partridge round, “we're going to havea jolly supper. Just smell this partridge,
will you? Ain't it going to be good?”

“T guess it will!’ answered Rob, whose mouth had been watering for a
slice of it for half an hour back. ‘‘Ain’t it most done?” ;

“T guess so,” answered Johnnie. “You look at the potatoes, wont you pr

Rob scratched away the ashes from the potatoes, and announced that they
were done.

The house was
divided into two
rooms below. One,
in front, wasa sort of
sitting-room, which
Mr. and Mrs. Kent
occupied, while the
boys slept up-stairs.
Up-stairs, also, was
Mr. Kent's granary.
He had thought it
safer to store his
wheat and-corn in
the house. Thieves
would be less likely
to get to it there
without being found MGaee J
out. The second lr ge
room below was used
as a kitchen and dining-room, and it was in this room the boys were cooking
their supper.

“There!” declared Johnnie at last; ‘I do b'lieve this bird’s done. You set
the table, Rob, and I'll take up the victuals.”

Just as he said this the boys started, for they heard steps at the front
door. They looked at each other in alarm. Who could their visitors be?

“I’m going to see who it is,” said Johnnie, bravely; “maybe it’s some of
Johnson’s folks.”

But their visitors were none “of Johnson's folks.” Two men had come in,
and he saw at once that they were strangers. They were rough, brutal-looking