Of the three Buccaneers. Also of the Fear that fell upon Mr. Poodle, and what fell upon the Ambush.
HILE Rolie Polie chased the barley rabbit, and in turn was being chased by the barley bull, Big Bill and his two Buccaneers were lying in ambush further down the road. The one who had been left up the hill at the gate, had hidden behind some bushes, and when the company came through and Mr. Poodle spoke of the strangeness of their not being met by any of the Toy people, he chuckled so loudly, that it was a wonder the noise did not lead to his being discovered. After the salute had been fired and the company started on their downward journey, the Buccaneer, when he saw how the soldiers were sent on ahead, leaving Helen and Tommy {50} no greater protection than that afforded by the little old toymaker and Rolie Polie, again laughed out loud; and it was only when the company passed from sight that the Buccaneer left his hiding place and set forth by a short cut, which soon brought him to the ambush and his waiting companions.
When Big Bill heard how the company had been divided, he said: “Didn’t I tell you so? Didn’t I say that that boy and girl would have to be lagging along behind to see the sights? I tell you, I know a thing or two. They can’t fool Big Bill. Come, my hearties, we must get ready! Every man see to the loading and priming of his pistols! We won’t need to fire any shots; the sight of our swords and pistols will be enough to frighten them. Like as not, at the first glimpse of us, Peter Poodle and that little clown will run; then we can capture the boy and girl.”
The tramp of men and horses was now heard coming around the bend further up the road. “We must lay low,” said Big Bill, “and keep out of sight until these soldiers pass; then, we can poke out the muzzles of our pistols and be ready for the others.”
Hardly had Big Bill finished speaking when to their ears came the startling sound of a great roaring bellow. One of the Buccaneers jumped to his feet, his legs shook and trembled while his face went white as chalk. “It is the barley bull,” he whispered between his chattering teeth. Again they heard the bellow, this time nearer than before. “Listen! listen!” cried the frightened Buccaneer, his voice no more than a hoarse croak; “listen, Big Bill, it is the barley bull; the barley bull is after us!” Then his legs giving way, he fell in a heap on the ground. {51}
Big Bill jumped to his feet. “Are you crazy?” he cried. “The barley bull can’t hurt you. He is in the pasture up the hill.”
Presently, the bellow came again, and now so near that even Big Bill trembled and turned pale, and shaking and shivering he drew his pistol, while his two men, their faces blanched with fear, fell on their knees, and frantically clasped their arms about his knees.
The bellowing of the barley bull now came to them again and roared in their ears like rolling thunder. “He will get us, he will get us!” cried the three. “We must run for our lives!” Then they heard a crash in the bushes above them and the next second something landed right on the head of Big Bill, tumbling him and his companions over and leaving them sprawling on the ground.