"Some one's in the barn stealing hosses."
At this moment the turkeys, becoming alarmed at the very evident expressed intentions of the intruders, set up a loud "Quit, quit!"
"They're stealing the turkeys. It's some of them thievin' Aberlitionists," said the old woman.
"You bring the lantern, and I'll see," answered a deep voice, evidently that of the cross old rebel himself.
"We're in for it now, boys," said Sergeant Swords, turning on the light from his dark lantern. "Hunt holes somewhere."
Tom Scott had enough to do to hold the doors against the dog, which seemed determined to force an entrance. Corporal Grimm sprang into a meal chest, which he saw at the far end of the barn, and the lid closed down on him; two others found concealment behind a hay-mow, and Sergeant Swords and Mr. Diggs sprang up among the rafters, where the turkeys were roosting.
"Oh, Lordy! I shall be killed, I know I shall!" wailed poor Diggs, as he scrambled up.
The turkeys were now remonstrating loudly.
"Stop your chin music!" said the sergeant.
Tom Scott was still holding the doors when the old man and his wife came to them.