"They were trying to surprise us from above, but good old Bud got there
in time to fool them," said Ted. "Bully for him. Ben, go up and help
him. He may need it."
Several shots outside broke the silence that followed the fall of the
ladder, and the breaking of glass in the upper windows.
Then came a fusillade in the upper rooms.
"Bud and Ben are giving them as good as they send," muttered Ted.
From the yells that came from the garden the shots from above had
evidently done some execution, for they were followed by a rush of feet,
then silence.
"Look out, Kit," said Ted, "and see what's doing. But be careful; do not
expose yourself."
"No one in sight," said Kit, peering around the corner of the window
casing, having first put his hat in an exposed position to draw fire if
there were any sharpshooters on guard outside.
"Wait! Great Scott, they're going to set fire to the house!" yelled Kit,
running from the room.
In spite of the protestations of Stella, Ted staggered to his feet and
followed Kit.
He swayed from weakness as he ran, but appeared to grow stronger with
the excitement.
Two men had rushed to the shelter of the side of the house, and were now
safe from shots from the windows.
One of them had trundled before him a tar barrel, while the other had
his arms full of shavings.
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