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So in they come, but couldn't see us in the dark, and most trod on us whilst

we was hustling to get under the bed. But we got under all right, and out

through the hole, swift but soft -- Jim first, me next, and Tom last, which was

according to Tom's orders. Now we was in the lean-to, and heard trampings

close by outside. So we crept to the door, and Tom stopped us there and put his

eye to the crack, but couldn't make out ssssssssss

nothing, it wtos so dark; and whispered ssssssssss

and said he would listen for the steps to ssssssssss

get further, and when he nudged us Jim ssssssssss

must glide out first, and him last. So ssssssssss

he set his ear to the crack and listened, ssssssssss

and listened, and listened, and the steps ssssssssss

a scraping around, out there, all the time;

and at last he nudged us, and we slid out,

and stooped down, not breathing, and ssssssssss

not making the least noise, and slipped ssssssssss

stealthy towards the fence, in Injun file,

and got to it, all right, and me and Jim ssssssssss

over it; but Tom's britches catched ssssssssss

fast on a splinter on the top rail, and ssssssssss

then he hear the steps coming, so he ssssssssss

had to pull loose, which snapped the ssssssssss

splinter and made a noise; and as he ssssssssss

dropped in our tracks and started, ssssssssss

somebody sings out: ssssssssss

"Who's that? Answer, or I'll shoot!"

But we didn't answer; we just unfurled our heels and shoved. Then there

was a rush, and a bang, bang, bang! and the bullets fairly whizzed around us!

We heard them sing out: ssssssssss

"Here they are! They've broke for the river! after 'em, boys! And turn

loose the dogs!" ssssssssss

So here they come, full tilt. We could hear them, because they wore boots.

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