“But they must be a poor, cowardly lot, father,” said Norman, “or they would not be so easily frightened by a bogey.”
“A lesson to us,” said the captain, thoughtfully. “There must be a camp of the black fellows somewhere near, and while they are about, we had better keep about the place.”
“But they will not come again after such a fright, will they?” said Norman.
“I don’t know, my boy. It is impossible to say. Perhaps, as soon as the scare is over, they may be taking each other to task for being such cowards. We are all alone here, and far from help, so it is as well to be upon our guard. Don’t let them know indoors.”
The order came too late, for, as soon as they entered the house, Mrs Bedford began anxiously: “Edward, is it a fact that there have been myall blacks trying to rob the place?”
“Pooh! What have you heard?”
“Rifle has been telling us of the black’s trick to frighten them.”
“Oh yes, a few wandering rascals tried to steal the flour.”
“And I’m very, very glad to find that I misjudged that poor fellow, Shanter,” said Aunt Georgie. “I certainly thought it was he.”
“Yes; and to clear himself of the suspicion,” said Uncle Jack, cheerily, “he hid and frightened them away. Come, people, don’t look so anxious.—Why, Hetty—Ida—surely you are not going to be scared at a little adventure like this.”