have been of little use against such a strong man as that, who could
have taken Harry in his big red hands and have thrown him over the
highest fence in the county.

But for all that, the boy stood boldly up before his sister.

The man looked at him without a word, and then he stepped aside toward a
small dogwood-bush.

For an instant, Harry thought that they might run away; but it was only
for an instant. That long-legged man could catch them before they had
gone a dozen yards--at least he could catch Kate.

The man took out a knife and cut a long and tolerably thick switch from
the bush. Then he cut off the smaller end and began to trim away the
twigs and leaves.

While doing this he looked at Harry, and said:

"I think I'll take you first."

Kate's heart almost stopped beating when she heard this, and Harry
turned pale; but still the brave boy stood before his sister as stoutly
as ever.

Kate tried to call for help, but she had no voice. What could _she_ do?
A boxing on the ears was nothing, she now thought; she wished she had
not called out, for it was evident that Harry was going to get a
terrible whipping.