an was swinging the
grass-cutter about for a new charge, apparently still wishing to mow
him, and Herman had made a quite plausible statement about what he
intended to do with the scythe.

Rupe paused but for an extremely condensed survey of the horrible
advance of the brothers, and then, uttering a blood-curdled scream of
fear, ran out of the stable and up the alley at a speed he had never
before attained, so that even Dan had hard work to keep within barking
distance. And a 'cross-shoulder glance, at the corner, revealing Verman
and Herman in pursuit, the latter waving his scythe overhead, Mr.
Collins slackened not his gait, but, rather, out of great anguish,
increased it; the while a rapidly developing purpose became firm in his
mind--and ever after so remained--not only to refrain from visiting that
neighbourhood again, but never by any chance to come within a mile of
it.

From the alley door, Penrod and Sam watched the flight, and were without
words. When the pursuit rounded the corner, the two looked wanly at
each other, but neither spoke until the return of the brothers from the
chase.

Herman and Verman came back, laughing and chuckling.

"Hiyi!" cackled Herman to Verman, as they came, "See 'at ole boy run!"

"Who-ee!" Verman shouted in ecstasy.

"Nev' did see boy run so fas'!" Herman continued, tossing the scythe
into the wheelbarrow. "I bet he home in bed by viss time!"

Verman roared with delight, appearing to be wholly unconscious that the
lids of his right eye were swollen shut and that his attire, not too
finical before the struggle, now entitled him to unquestioned rank as a
sansculotte. Herman was a similar ruin, and gave as little heed to his
condition.

Penrod looked dazedly from Herman to Verman and back again. So did Sam
Williams.

"Herman," said Penrod, in a weak voice, "you wouldn't HONEST of cut his
gizzard out, would you?"

"Who? Me? I don' know. He mighty mean ole boy!" Herman shook his head
gravely, and then, observing that Verman was again convulsed with
unctuous merriment, joined laughter with his brother. "Sho'! I guess I
uz dess TALKIN' whens I said 'at! Reckon he thought I meant it, f'm de
way he tuck an' run. Hiyi! Reckon he thought ole Herman bad man! No,
suh! I uz dess talkin', 'cause I nev' would cut NObody! I ain' tryin'
git in no jail--NO, suh!"

Penrod looked at the scythe: he looked at Herman. He looked at the
lawn-mower, and he looked at Verman. Then he looked out i