The laughter was loud and ceaseless, but the shrieks were becoming faint and stifled.

Tom's blood was boiling.

He pictured to himself a foul murder done.

A few seconds before they reached the spot a new sound greeted their ears--a sort of rattling, bounding noise--which provoked another peal of uncontrollable laughter.
Then a voice was heard shouting: "The watch! the watch! or some fellows with swords!" Immediately the whole band broke up and rushed helter-skelter in all directions.

Not that the bullies feared the watch one whit.