His father had taken the wrong pouch.

Obed felt around to see if there were any smaller balls in the cupboard, and almost stumbled over a very large pumpkin, one of the two which he and Joe had been using to make Jack-o'-lanterns when the messenger alarmed them.

Pulling off his coat, he flung it over the vegetable lantern, made to imitate a gigantic grinning face, with open eyes, nose, and mouth, and with a live coal from the ashes he lighted the candle inside.

"They'll sound the war-whoop in a minute, if I give them time," he whispered, as he raised the covered lantern to the window.

"Now for it!" he added, pulling the coat away.