You boys can go downstairs.

There's a big pile of straw there that'll do yez for a bed, if yez put your coats on.

I'll light yez down, but I ain't going to leave yez a light for fear yez'd set fire to the place." Saying good-night to the girls, who looked as if they thought their last hour was come, we went to the lower room.

It was quite empty, save for a pile of fire wood and another of clean straw.

Casting a stealthy glance around, ere Peg withdrew the light, I was relieved to see that there were no skulls in sight.