"Snatch that light away, Betsy, you old fool--
ain't you got any sense? Put it on the floor behind
the front door. Bob, if you and Tom are ready,
take your places."

"All ready."

"Now, George Jackson, do you know the Shep-
herdsons?"

"No, sir; I never heard of them."

"Well, that may be so, and it mayn't. Now, all
ready. Step forward, George Jackson. And mind,
don't you hurry--come mighty slow. If there's
anybody with you, let him keep back--if he shows
himself he'll be shot. Come along now. Come
slow; push the door open yourself--just enough to
squeeze in, d'you hear?"

I didn't hurry; I couldn't if I'd a-wanted to. I
took one slow step at a time and there warn't a
sound, only I thought I could hear my heart. The
dogs were as still as the humans, but they followed a
little behind me. When I got to the three log
doorsteps I heard them unlocking and unbarring and
unbolting. I put my hand on the door and pushed
it a little and a little more till somebody said,
"There, that's enough--put your head in." I done
it, but I judged they would take it off.

The candle was on the floor, and there they all
was, looking at me, and me at them, for about a
quarter of a minute: Three big men with guns
pointed at me, which made me wince, I tell you;
the oldest, gray and about sixty, the other two
thirty or more all of them fine and handsome--and
the sweetest old gray-headed lady, and back of her

-134-