The three tramps stared blankly at one another. They were caught like rats in a trap. They tiptoed their way to the next room, and looked forth from the windows.
“I see four men and boys,” said one.
“An’ three on this side,” came from another. “There must be ten o’ ’em after all. Boys, our goose is cooked.”
“Are you coming out, or have we got to fire on you?” continued Constable Peabody.
“I’ll give ’em a dose of buckshot,” put in Joel Runnell, although he had no idea of firing for the present.
“That’s it,” sang out Joe, who was likewise fooling.
“No! no! don’t shoot!” howled Stump, who was the most cowardly of the trio. “Don’t shoot!”
“Will you come out?”
“Yes.”
“Then come, and put your hands over your head.”