But Tom Tapley was already out of the house. He made his escape over the roof, fearing that the neighborhood would be roused and his safety endangered.
So passed a night of unparalleled excitement in the Badger homestead.
CHAPTER XXX
ATTACKED IN THE REAR
Early the next morning the three Badgers held a council of war.
It was unanimously decided that something must be done, but what that something should be it was not easy to determine.
Mr. Badger suggested that the town constable should be summoned.
“The boy has committed assault and battery upon our persons, Mrs. Badger,” he said, “and it is proper that he should be arrested.”
“Shall I go for the constable?” asked Andrew Jackson. “I should like to have him put in jail. Then we should be safe.”