"Now then, show me them tramps!" cried Elias Lacy, as the whole crowd went outdoors and towards the front gate.
"Oh, protect us! Please protect us!" shrieked Randy, and caught hold of the old man's coat-tails.
"Don't let the tramps abduct us! I don't want to live with any tramp! I want to marry a millionaire!" screamed Andy, and began to cling so close to Elias Lacy that the old man could hardly move forward.
The twins cut up so that the others had all they could do to keep from laughing. One boy began to snicker, but promptly clapped his hand over his mouth.
"Don't hang on to me," ordered the old farmer. "I can't use my gun if you clutch my arm like that," and he tried to shake the twins off.
"Oh, there they are—behind the bushes!" screamed Randy, suddenly, pointing off to the left.
"Where?" demanded the old man, holding his lantern over his head. "I don't see nothin'."
"There they are!" screamed Andy. "They've got pistols, too! Oh, save us! Save us!"
"Drat the pesky rascals! I'll fix 'em!" snarled Elias Lacy, and, shaking loose the clinging boys, he ran off, lantern in one hand and shotgun held up to his shoulder with the other.
"Now is our time to skip out!" cried Jack.