“But they could not contemplate carrying him far in that way.”
“Surely not.”
“Pard, are you armed?”
“No; are you?”
“I’m a-heap sorry to say I’m not.”
Aaron had followed tremblingly at the heels of the boys. Now Professor Gunn came hastening from the house and joined them.
“It’s awful—perfectly awful!” he fluttered. “I fear the shock will kill his sister. She’s in a dreadful condition. Boys, we must send to town right off for the officers. We are in danger of our lives. At this moment we are in deadly peril. I’m afraid out here where the ruffians may spring upon us, and I’m afraid in there with no one but a woman and a girl.”
“Go back to the inn, professor,” directed Dick. “Stay with the widow and Nadia.”
“What if the ruffians come?”
“You’ll be there to protect the ladies. It will give you an opportunity to display your heroism and fighting blood.”