scrapes as that."

Mrs. Wilson went out into the woodshed, and returned, holding the gun in
such a way that it pointed directly at her husband.

"Don't you know no better than to p'int that gun at me, Sophia?"
exclaimed Silas in no little terror. "Beats all what fools women are
about firearms."

"They may be fools, but they ain't cowards," returned Mrs. Wilson.
"Come, are you going up or not?"

"Hadn't I better go to the foot of the stairs and fire up?" asked Silas
with a bright idea.

"And then he'd come down on you, when your gun was discharged, and run
his bayonet into you," said Mrs. Wilson, who knew that at the battle of
Bunker Hill the muskets had bayonets attached.

"I'll give him warnin'!" continued Silas. "It'll only be fair. He'll
probably be frightened and climb down the ladder."

"I never did see such a 'fraid cat in my life!" quoth Mrs. Wilson
contemptuously.

"Mebbe you're braver'n I be. If you are, go up yourself!" said Silas
Wilson angrily.

"You want to put your wife in danger, do you?" returned Mrs. Wilson, who
was as averse to facing the burglar as her husband, though she talked
more courageously.

"And you want to expose your husband to danger," retorted Silas, "so
it's an even thing, so far as I can see."

It is hardly necessary to say that Bert enjoyed the dispute between the
husband and wife, though he maintained an outward gravity which helped
him to conceal his secret amusement. By this time he thought it time for
him to take part.

"I'll go up," he said.

"You will?" exclaimed Silas in surprise and relief.

"Yes, I am not afraid."

"To be sure! The burglar wouldn't do you no harm. You're only a boy. Do
you know how to fire a gun?"

"Yes, but I shan't need the gun. I am sure the burglar wouldn't harm
me."

"You're a brave boy, Bert," said the farmer. "You're doing just what I
would have done at your age."

"You _never_ would have done it, Silas! I should be ashamed anyway to
own up I was more of a coward as a grown man than as a boy."

"Sophia, you don't know much about burglars and their ways. Don't be
afraid, Bert; I'll back you up; I'll stand at the door of the kitchen
with the gun in my hand, and help you if you need it."

Bert smiled, for he knew just how valuable Silas Wilson's assistance
would be, but he made no comment, and started on his perilous
enterprise.

"I hope he won't come to no harm," said Mrs. Wilson. "I don't know but
I'd better go with him."