u both! Our bolts are strong,
our shutters are thick. I am here to keep my father's house safe, and
keep it I will against an army of you!"

You may imagine what a passion I was in when I vapored and blustered in
that way. I heard Jerry laugh and Shifty Dick swear a whole mouthful of
oaths. Then there was a dead silence for a minute or two, and then the
two ruffians attacked the door.

I rushed into the kitchen and seized the poker, and then heaped wood on
the fire, and lighted all the candles I could find; for I felt as though
I could keep up my courage better if I had plenty of light. Strange and
improbable as it may appear, the next thing that attracted my attention
was my poor pussy, crouched up, panic-stricken, in a corner. I was so
fond of the little creature that I took her up in my arms and carried
her into my bedroom and put her inside my bed. A comical thing to do in
a situation of deadly peril, was it not? But it seemed quite natural and
proper at the time.

All this while the blows were falling faster and faster on the door.
They were dealt, as I conjectured, with heavy stones picked up from the
ground outside. Jerry sang at his wicked work, and Shifty Dick swore. As
I left the bedroom after putting the cat under cover, I heard the lower
panel of the door begin to crack.

I ran into the kitchen and huddled our four silver spoons into my
pocket; then took the unlucky book with the bank-notes and put it in the
bosom of my dress. I was determined to defend the property confided to
my care with my life. Just as I had secured the pocketbook I heard
the door splintering, and rushed into the passage again with my heavy
kitchen poker lifted in both hands.

I was in time to see the bald head of Jerry, with the ugly-looking knobs
on it, pushed into the passage through a great rent in one of the lower
panels of the door.

"Get out, you villain, or I'll brain you on the spot!" I screeched,
threatening him with the poker.

Mr. Jerry took his head out again much faster than he put it in.

The next thing that came through the rent was a long pitchfork, which
they darted at me from the outside, to move me from the door. I struck
at it with all my might, and the blow must have jarred the hand of
Shifty Dick up to his very shoulder, for I heard him give a roar of rage
and pain. Before he could catch at the fork with his other hand I had
drawn it inside. By this time even Jerry lost his temper and swore more
awfully