sight. What kin they be up to?
The whisper died wholly out, now, for the three men had reached the
grave and stood within a few feet of the boys hiding-place.
Here it is, said the third voice; and the owner of it held the lantern
up and revealed the face of young Doctor Robinson.
Potter and Injun Joe were carrying a handbarrow with a rope and a couple
of shovels on it. They cast down their load and began to open the grave.
The doctor put the lantern at the head of the grave and came and sat
down with his back against one of the elm trees. He was so close the
boys could have touched him.
Hurry, men! he said, in a low voice; the moon might come out at any
moment.
They growled a response and went on digging. For some time there was no
noise but the grating sound of the spades discharging their freight of
mould and gravel. It was very monotonous. Finally a spade struck upon
the coffin with a dull woody accent, and within another minute or two
the men had hoisted it out on the ground. They pried off the lid with
their shovels, got out the body and dumped it rudely on the ground. The
moon drifted from behind the clouds and exposed the pallid face.
The barrow was got ready and the corpse placed on it, covered with a
blanket, and bound to its place with the rope. Potter took out a large
spring-knife and cut off the dangling end of the rope and then said:
Now the cussed thing s ready, Sawbones, and you ll just out with
another five, or here she stays.
That s the talk! said Injun Joe.
Look here, what does this mean? said the doctor. You required your
pay in advance, and I ve paid you.
Yes, and you done more than that, said Injun Joe, approaching the
doctor, who was now standing. Five years ago you drove me away from
your father s kitchen one night, when I come to ask for something to
eat, and you said I warn t there for any good; and when I swore I d get
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