“Careful! careful! That is not my name.”
“Well, young Jesse James, then, if that suits you any better! But I must say that if your prototype were here, he would be ashamed of you.”
“I have just as much right to take that name as you have to take the name of Wild Harry,” was the spirited retort.
“I can’t see it! I have always done my share of work, without any croaking; and you haven’t. Mark my words! If we ever get into trouble, it will be through you, and nobody else.”
“That will do, boys!” said the third member of the party, who had not spoken before. “Don’t let’s have any quarreling. If we are ready, let us be moving. The sooner we begin, the sooner we shall get through with it.”
“I am ready,” said the one who had done the most of the talking, and whose voice seemed strangely familiar to Bob. “Now, remember that this night’s work is going to be a test of our courage. If we can’t make it successful, we have no business to think of going out West. Stebbins and his wife are as deaf as posts, and if we move with due caution they will not know that we have been in the house until we are out and gone. If they chance to wake up—well, we all know what to do in that case.”
The speaker led the way out of the barn, and he and his companions moved toward the house with stealthy footsteps, leaving Bob Howard trembling all over with excitement and alarm.
As soon as he was certain that they were out of hearing, he laid his hand on his friend’s shoulder and shook him gently.
“Dick! Dick! Wake up here!” said Bob, in a suppressed whisper. “Do you hear me, Dick?”
Yes, Dick heard him, but he didn’t want to wake up. He was too tired. He muttered something in reply, and rolled over to find an easier position.