Whooping, these irresponsible young fellows charged down upon Halstead. But he knew better than to run. Laughing, he stood his ground.
“Oh, well, if you won’t believe me,” he said, with mock resignation, “let it go at that. But what are you going to do?”
“Listen, child!” roared the leader of the crowd. “We are pushing forward for the surprise and capture of East Hampton. Willst go with us, and witness scenes of military glory?”
“I’m gladly with you for going to town,” replied the young skipper.
“Then come along. Preserve the utmost silence and stealth, all ye, my brave men,” ordered the leader, leaping out into the road.
“Rah, rah, rah!” they answered him, roaringly, and turned their faces townward. Tom glad to get out of it all so easily, stepped along with them.
“What was that about trouble, younker?” one of the supposed college boys asked Halstead. “Did you think you saw a shadow among the trees?”
“It was a good deal more than a shadow,” insisted Halstead. “I was attacked by two men.”
Tom’s questioner looked at him searchingly, then replied good-humoredly:
“Oh, well, say no more about it, and I guess the fellows will forget. It gave us a good excuse for a sprint, anyway.”