CHAPTER XXVII. JOE'S PLANS.
When they had had their laugh out, Mr. Warren said to Uncle Hallet:
"Don't you think it would be a good plan for the boys to bring their outfit to a place of safety until the sheriff has had time to go up there and take care of those robbers? If they take it into their heads to burn the cabins, we don't want them to burn everything there is in them."
"Of course not," assented Mr. Hallet. "Tom, tell Hawley to hitch up and move you down at once—you and Joe. Mind, now, I want him to go with you."
"We don't need him," protested Tom. "We can take care of ourselves."
Uncle Hallet did not think it necessary to discuss this point. He had given his orders, and he knew that they would be strictly obeyed.
He stepped into Mr. Warren's wagon, and the latter drove out of the yard, leaving the boys to themselves.
"He didn't say that we couldn't go back again as soon as the robbers have been caught, did he?" observed Bob, whose fears on that score were now set at rest. "It's going to be a bother to walk up there and back every day, when we might just as well remain in our cabins, but it seems that we've got to do it."
Tom replied that it certainly looked that way; adding, that it would be of no use for them to "kick," because he knew by the expression that was on Uncle Hallet's face when he laid down the law to them, that he meant every word he said.