"I tell you it ain't safe," he was saying. "Somebody is liable to come in here—"
As if in response to the suggestion, there was a metallic sound from the front door which indicated the introduction of a key into the lock. This was followed by an ominous rattling of the knob. Then came the hum of voices. A supreme effort brought the pulpit back to place. Cottontop snatched Gizzard's clothes and dived under the seats; but Cathead, who was thoroughly rattled, caught up Sube's clothes, and throwing them out of the window, hastily scrambled out after them.
In the impenetrable darkness of the baptistry the two boys clung to each other for company and listened intently. Suddenly Sube felt Gizzard's muscles stiffen; then heard him gasp, "Good Gosh!"
"What's the matter of you?" whispered Sube.
"It's ol' Mossy, and a whole lot of women's with him!"
"Well, what of it? They ain't comin' in here, are they?"
"That's jus' what I'm scairt of!" sniffed Gizzard, on the verge of tears.
"Don't be a baby!" said Sube disgustedly. "They ain't comin' in here! You don't s'pose ol' Mossy'd bring a lot of women with him if he was goin' to take a swim in this here mershum swimmin'-hole, do you?"
This thought was so comforting to Sube that he chuckled perceptibly. Gizzard, too, was reassured; for he sought out Sube's ear and said:
"I thought maybe you was goin' to get a chanct to show me what you promised to do to him."