"Go in! Go in! Close the house!" Marbury cried—"close the house, quick!—quick!"
"What?" shouted Parkington, the pounding of the hoofs drowning the words. "What do you say?"
"Close the house! quick!—quick!"
"Close the house! quick!" Parkington repeated to Judith.
A moment later, Marbury dashed up, flung the reins from him, and leaped down.
"Pirates!" he shouted. "Pirates!—they are coming!" pointing behind him—where, five hundred yards away, and barely distinguishable among the trees, a crowd of men were approaching on the run.
"Pirates!" said Parkington, incredulously. "Surely not!"
"Then, stay and welcome them, if you think so," called Marbury, rushing up the steps.
Parkington stayed long enough to get another view of the nearing men, then followed him.