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"Snatch that light away, Betsy, you old fool -- ain't you got any sense? Put

it on the floor behind the front door. Bob, if you and Tom are ready, take your

places." ssssssssss

"All ready." ssssssssss

"Now, George Jackson, do you know the Shepherdsons?"

"No, sir -- I never heard of them."

"Well, that may be so, and it mayn't. Now, all ready. Step forward,

George Jackson. And mind, don't you hurry -- come mighty slow. If there's

anybody with you, let him keep back -- if he shows himself he'll be shot. Come

along, now. Come slow; push the door open, yourself -- just enough to squeeze

in, d' you hear?" ssssssssss

I didn't hurry, I couldn't if I'd a wanted to. I took one slow step at a time,

and there warn't a sound, only I thought I could hear my heart. The dogs were

as still as the humans, but they followed a little behind me. When I got to the

three log door-steps, I heard them unlocking and unbarring and unbolting. I

put my hand on the door and pushed it a little and a little more, till somebody

said, "There, that's enough -- put your head in." I done it, but I judged they

would take it off. ssssssssss

The candle was on the floor, and there they all was, looking at me, and me at

them, for about a quarter of a minute. Three big men with guns pointed at me,

which made me wince, I tell you; the oldest, gray and about sixty, the other two

thirty or more -- all of them fine and handsome -- and the sweetest old gray-headed

lady, and back of her two young women which I couldn't see right well. The

old gentleman says: ssssssssss

"There -- I reckon it's all right. Come in."

As soon as I was in, the old gentleman he locked the door and barred it and

bolted it, and told the young men to come in with their guns, and they all went

in a big parlor that had a new rag carpet on the floor, and got together in a

corner that was out of range of the front windows -- there warn't none on the

side. They held the candle, and took a good look at me, and all said, "Why he

ain't a Shepherdson -- no, there ain't any Shepherdson about him." Then the

old man said he hoped I wouldn't mind being searched for arms, because he

didn't mean no harm by it -- it was only to make sure. So he didn't pry

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