Will was only a boy, and he could, not withstand so seductive an argument. “Well, Henry,” he said slowly, “I’ll go.”
“Of course; you would always be sorry if you didn’t.”
Now that he had secured Will’s promise to go, he ventured to hint at the propriety of taking pistols.
“Pistols!” Will exclaimed, with horror. “Surely, we don’t want pistols! Why, we might as well turn highwaymen, and be done with it!”
But Henry was a year older than Will, accustomed to have his own way, and he would not yield to the boy’s entreaties. His stronger nature soon overruled Will’s scruples, and he consented to do whatever Henry thought best, though feeling ill at ease.
“Of course, Will, we don’t think of shooting at anything—not for all the world;—but the plan is to get behind an old tree near the cave, fire a pistol to draw the demon out, and then rush in while he is looking to see what made the noise. Don’t you see? Perhaps we shan’t need to fire a pistol at all; but it will be best to have them.”
“Why should we take more than one, and why should we put in a ball?” Will asked uneasily.
“One apiece, Will; and we must have both loaded, for we don’t know what might happen. Now, don’t be frightened; we won’t do any harm, nor break any laws; I know how to manage things too well for that.”
“I promised to keep out of mischief,” Will said, dolefully.
“I know it, Will; and I’m going to help you keep your promise. We can be very careful, and what fun it will be!”