“I thought I’d bring you to terms,” said the tramp, laughing grimly.
He allowed his victim to rise, as he certainly would not have done if he had looked behind him and seen the two boys at the window.
“Now’s our time,” answered Philip.
He gave a light spring into the room, followed by Frank.
Of course, the tramp heard them, and turned in sudden alarm. As he turned, the farmer snatched the club from his hand, and he found himself unexpectedly unarmed and confronted by three enemies.
“It’s my turn now,” said Lovett. “Do you surrender?”
The tramp saw that the game was up and made a dash for the open window, but Philip skillfully inserted a stick between his legs, and tripped him up, and, with the help of Mr. Lovett, held him, struggling desperately, till Frank fetched a rope, with which he was securely bound.
“Confound you!” he said, scowling at the two boys. “But for you I would have succeeded and got away with my booty.”
“That’s true!” said the farmer. “I owe my escape from robbery, and, perhaps, bodily injury, to you.”
“I am glad we were at hand,” said Philip.