"You won't do any such thing," was the resolute reply of the old man, while he compressed his lips, and his eyes flashed resolutely.
"This is my home, and the law says it is my castle; and if any man attempts to cross that threshold against my orders, on his head be the consequences."
By way of making matters consistent, he stepped briskly into the next room; and when he returned, which was in the course of three seconds, he held a loaded double-barreled gun in his grasp.
"It's well to have something like this to sorter emphasize what you say, you know--hello!"
The scoundrels were at the door, and a resounding knock was heard.
"Come in," called back the old man, who stood in the room, gun in hand.
Instead of opening the door, the criminals on the outside knocked again, their evident purpose being to gain an advantage by bringing some one to them.
"Come in!"
This was uttered in a tone that could be heard a hundred yards, and those who were applying for admission could not pretend to be ignorant of such a lusty welcome as that.
The latch was lifted, the door shoved inward, and there the two sailors stood, each with a revolver in hand, looking into the room, but neither venturing to step over the threshold.