“What’s all this?”
“Is anybody hurt?”
Such were the hasty questions put by old Farmer Nye and his family, as they gathered around the scene of action.
“Yes! I’m choked and shaken nearly to death!” gasped old Purley, in a fury.
“It was done for the best,” said Munson, soothingly.
“Oh, for the best, indeed! Set fire to you, would you murder an innocent man out of kindness?” fiercely demanded Parley.
“You see, he fell upon me, and woke me up. It was so dark here, with the window shutters closed, that I could not see well, so I mistook him for Mr. Berners broke loose and trying to carry off his wife,” explained Robert Munson.
“Oh! well, I reckon you’re not hurt much; only startled and shaken a bit! Come and take a glass of morning bitters. That will set you up again, and give you an appetite for your breakfast besides,” said the farmer, kindly.
“Thank you. I’ll take the bitters, if you will send them up here! I mustn’t leave this floor until I see my charge out. And it’s time for them to get up too!” replied Purley, rising and knocking loudly at the chamber door.
Of course there was no response.