Growing somewhat accustomed to the semi-darkness, Joe counted seven of his tormentors, all standing on the edge of the cellar hole into which he had so unceremoniously been thrown. Several of the youths had heavy sticks.
“I suppose I'll have to retreat,” he reasoned “I can't fight seven of them.”
He turned to the rear of the cellar hole and felt his way along into the deepest shadows. Presently he reached a partly finished building and crawled up some planks leading to one of the floors.
“He is running away!” he heard Jack Sagger cry.
“Come on after him!” said another of the crowd.
“Let's take his new coat and vest away from him!” added a third.
The entire party dropped down into the hole and ran to the rear, in a hunt after our hero. In the meantime Joe was feeling his way along a scaffolding where some masons had been at work.
As it happened the entire party under Jack Sagger walked toward the unfinished building and came to a halt directly under the scaffolding. Joe saw them and crouched back out of sight.
“Where is de country jay?” he heard one of the crowd ask.
“He's back here somewhere,” answered Jack Sagger. “We must find him an' thump him good.”