“But he must be close here,” thought Tom, as he reached the end of the cross walk, past which he felt that the boy must come; and to startle him into showing where he was Tom made a sudden rush.
That rush was made too quickly; for he felt himself seized, and before he could do anything, whack! whack! came two cuts on one leg.
“Got yer then, have I?” was growled in his ear; and then came loudly, “Master Tom! here! sharp!”
“I am here,” roared Tom. “What are you doing? Don’t.”
“Master Tom!”
“David! But never mind; look sharp! He’s close to us somewhere. I saw him under the pear-tree, and got one cut at him.”
“Got two cuts at him,” growled David savagely. “I know yer did. That was me!”
“Halloo there! Tom! David! Got him?”
“Got him!” growled David. “Got it, you mean. Hi! Yes, sir. Here we are.”
Uncle Richard was on the way down the path.