Believing that it was best for him to put on a bold front and meet the men squarely in whatever they should try to do, Rob showed no hesitation in his advance.
CHAPTER XII.
LITTLE HICKORY AROUSED.
It was apparent from the looks of the spectators that they had anything but a friendly greeting for the newcomers. Among them Rob saw ’Squire Hardy seated on a big box, closely watching their approach. A number of boys, whose ages ranged from twelve years to twenty, had hastily collected, and these pushed themselves forward into the pathway of the three from Break o’ Day.
One of these, whom Rob was soon to learn was the son of ’Squire Hardy, immediately made himself prominent, saying, in a sneering tone, as he pointed at Rob:
“Ain’t he a pretty duck, boys?”
“I wish to ask where Deacon Cornhill lives,” said Rob, concealing his chagrin at the words of Ralph Hardy.
His intended question was followed by a painful silence, until the ’squire said:
“Well, why don’t you ask your question and have done with it? I should think you would want to know the fix you have got the pious old deacon into. Whose barn did you sleep in last night?”
“Nobody’s barn, sir. Will you tell me where Deacon Cornhill lives?”
At this point the ’squire held a hurried consultation with one of his companions without heeding the words of Rob.