CHAPTER XI
THE “COURT” AND THE “VERDICT.”
When at length the squire stood upon the legs he had been drawn out by, and found himself in the presence of the Huswick boys, the recognition and pleasure were mutual.
“You scoundrels!” he began, brushing the dirt from his clothes and hair.
“What are we scoundrels fer?” said Hank, the tall one, with a comical grin on his thin, sinewy features. “Fer snakin’ ye out of the log?”
“If ye ain’t satisfied, we can pack ye in agin,” suggested Dock. But Peternot did not seem to take that view of the matter.
“How come ye in there, anyhow?” said Tug. “Was he murderin’ on ye?”
“Yes! Where is the villain? He’s got my money!” And away limped the old man in pursuit of the youthful robber and assassin.
“Them melons!” whispered Tug.
“Can’t help it now,” muttered Dock. “Hank, I wish you’d left the old fox in his hole!”
Guided by the sound of voices, and the sight of a head or two between the standing trunks, Peternot marched straight to the log behind which Jack was busy picking up his half-dollars. There were Cub and Hod watching him, while Lion watched them; there also were the stolen melons,—an interesting sight to the angry squire.