"You assured me that old Snell and his two sons were the whole force that he carried, while I find two stout, able-bodied men besides, all well armed, and ready for the attack.

The old woman, too, standing with the gridiron in her fists, is equal of herself to any two men, hand to hand." Lambert, a short, sly, dogged little personage, endeavored to account for the error, if such it was--"but he was sure, that at starting, there were but three--they must have have had company join them since.

Did the lieutenant make out the appearance of the others ?" "I did," said the officer in command, "and, to say truth, they do not seem to be of the old fellow's party.

They must have come upon him since the night.

But how came you, Lambert, to neglect sawing the axle?
You had time enough when it stood in the farmyard last night, and you were about it a full hour.