counterfeiting the greatest
astonishment. "If he did, I'll bet he never let you catch a fish. He'd
'a fainted when he saw it a-wriggling on the hook."

"He did too," answered Al, stoutly. "I caught four, and six crabs, and
he got eight," adding, frankly, "but he said he didn't like to catch
them, only his grandmother said he must."

"Very reprehensible old lady," said Hen Rowe, gravely, "to allow her
greediness for fish to trample on the softest feelings of her grandson's
head--I mean heart. But don't be afraid, Smallbones"--stroking Al's dark
curls--"we won't hurt him, not a bit; make your mind easy about that. He
shall live to take you a-fishin' again.

"It does him good to wake him up once in a while," added Ned
Morningstar, "he's such a turtle. I think I see his face when we all
shout 'April-fool'!"

* * * * *

At dusk the next evening, after Grandmother Lord had gone to the sewing
society, six or seven dreadful-looking objects came splashing through
the mud up the road which led to her cottage. They were dressed in
uncouth garments of all sizes and colors. Hats, brimless, or with brims
very much turned up or very much turned down, two flaming red turbans,
and a round handleless basket, through the open wicker-work of which the
hair of the wearer straggled in the most outlandish and porcupinish
manner, constituted their head-gear. The leader carried a gun. The
others were armed with hatchets, knives, and clubs. All their faces were
hidden by paper masks painted in various colors. "This is the house,"
said one of them, in a voice that seemed to come out of the ground
beneath his feet, as they ranged themselves on the front porch, and he
rapped sharply on the door with the stick he carried. It opened, and
there stood Lady Harriet, gazing out with horror-stricken eyes upon the
motley gang. "Your money or your life!" demanded he of the gun, at the
same time pointing the weapon at the trembling boy.

Lady Harriet turned pale, and shrank back. "I have no money," he said,
in a faltering voice.

"Then we must have your life," was the gruff reply, "unless you consent
to become one of us. Seize him and search him!"

"_Do_ go away, and leave me alone," implored the boy, falling upon his
knees and clasping his hands. "There is no use--making me--join your
gang," he continued, with chattering teeth. "I--couldn't be a--a--what
you are--to save--my life."

But the young desperadoes paid no