"Now," said Norris, "you see that pile of wood by the hay-scales? Every one of you go and get a stick."
In less than a minute every boy was armed with a stout cudgel and waiting for further orders.
Norris quickly scanned the crowd. "Julian Ross," he said, "you take six boys and stay here. Don't let a single hog get by you up the hill. Harry Burton, you take seven with you down to the bridge. Don't you let a hog pass over it into the lower village."
Julian and Harry selected their followers. "Friends, Romans, countrymen," cried Harry, "follow me!
"'Still is the story told
How well Horatius kept the bridge
In the brave days of old.'"
And they went down the street on the double-quick.
"All the rest of you come with me to Prospect Street," commanded Norris.
They arrived at the scene of destruction none too soon. As they ran down the street they were greeted with tearful pleadings by the ladies to save their gardens from utter ruin.
At length they outran the hogs and faced around to drive them back. The boys formed a line across the road, and beat them unmercifully with their cudgels. "Hit 'em on the snout every time," said Norris.
