Tell him to come out here at once or it will be the worse for him," returned the leader, in a feigned, unnatural voice.
"He is not here," she said.
"He'd better show himself at once," returned the ruffian, "he'll not escape by refusing to do so; we'll search every corner till we find him." "That will be as God pleases," she said in a calm, firm tone, her courage rising with the emergency.
She was answered with a yell of rage, and a repeated order to come down and open the door.
"I shall do no such thing," she said; "and what is more, I shall shoot down the first man that sets foot on the stairs." It was a sudden resolution that had come to her.

Encouraged by Mrs.
Travilla's precept and example, she had been, for months past, industriously training herself in the use of firearms, and kept her loaded revolver at hand; and now she would create a diversion in her husband's favor, keeping the raiders at bay at the front of the building while he escaped at the back; they believed him to be in the upper story: if she could prevent it, they should not learn their mistake, till he had had time to gain the woods and distance pursuit.
The door could not much longer withstand the heavy blows dealt it; already there were sounds as if it were about to give way.
"Archie," she said, turning to her son and speaking very rapidly, "those men are here to kill your father; you must help me to prevent them from coming up to hunt him.

The rest of you children stop that loud crying, which won't do any good.

Kneel down and pray, pray, _pray_ to God to help your father to get away from them.

Archie, throw this black cloak round you.