Our faces lengthened out very suddenly when we heard this.
Things began to get exciting now. Barney’s announcement must have occasioned great surprise among the outlaw crew below.
The loud conversation they had kept up ceased instantly, and after a moment’s pause, Luke Redman said:
“I reckon you’re barkin’ up the wrong tree, Barney.”
“Not if I know myself, I hain’t,” answered the leader of the Swamp Dragoons. “Something’s the matter with these yere doors, ’cause they won’t open.”
Luke Redman, greatly astonished at this piece of news, rushed into the house and came up the stairs half a dozen steps at a time. He seized the key, turned it in the lock, and threw all his ponderous weight against the door, but it did not give an inch. The other was equally obstinate; and after a few ineffectual attempts to force an entrance, the robber stooped down and looked through the key-hole. He did not see any thing, however, for Tom and I were wise enough to keep out of sight.
“Thar ain’t nobody in thar,” said he, “but I reckon I know how the matter stands. They fastened the door afore they left. Barney, you go down an’ climb up that grape-vine, an’ look in an’ see if they didn’t.”
“Wal, now, jest hold your breath till I go, will you?” replied Barney. “When you see me foolin’ with them two fellers, you’ll see a weasel asleep. They’ve got guns. I hain’t a-goin’ to stir a step.”
“You’re a coward!” exclaimed his father, angrily. “If the grape-vine would b’ar my weight, I would go myself; but it won’t. Jake, are you a coward, too?”
“No, I hain’t,” replied that worthy. “I’ll go, ’cause I know they ain’t thar.”