two
of these small bird shells into the barrels of the gun.

He did not know that he would care to send even this charge directly at
a human being; but in case it became necessary he wanted to make
certain he would do little harm.

After that he seemed to feel easier in his mind, for he lay down and was
soon fast asleep.

Something awoke him about midnight, and thinking he had heard a sound he
sat up to listen; then he heard it again, and felt sure it must be a
cough, as of some one partly choking.

He was worried and left his lowly bed to go to the door connecting the
rooms and listen, but nothing came from beyond.

Could the sound come from outside?

He slipped on some of his clothes, and stepping over quietly opened the
outer door, looking into the night.

The new moon had long since vanished behind the horizon, and yet he
could see some sort of flickering light, coming from that region back of
the house.

At the same time he believed he caught the muttering of voices, or it
might be a low chuckle, followed by a plain sneeze.

Smoke came to his nostrils, and that meant fire!

Darry had a sudden vision of Jim Dilks getting even, and it took the
form of a burning corn-crib or chicken house.

Filled with indignation, he turned back into the house, and snatched up
the old shotgun; gone now was his hesitation with regard to using the
gun to pepper the rascally gang that took orders from the even more
rascally Jim.

Without saying a word Darry shot out of the door and turned the corner,
when his worst fears were realized, for he saw flames rising up
alongside the pigsty, which adjoined the building in which the fowls
were kept.

His first act was to fire the right barrel of his gun in the air, and at
the same time give vent to a shout.

Immediately several shadowy figures, which in spite of their bent
attitudes he knew to be boys, started to scamper away, in sudden alarm
lest they be recognized, and made to pay the penalty in the squire's
court.

As near as Darry could tell there were three of them, and as they ran he
believed he could recognize Jim Dilks in the centre of the group.

The temptation was too great to be resisted, and filled with indignation
because of the cowardly trick of which they had been guilty, Darry took
a snap shot at the running bunch.

It was music to his ears to catch the howls that immediately arose; but
he knew no serious damage had resulted because they ran faster than e