Then over the fence into the barnyard jumped the horses; and Marmaduke
came running up; and the Toyman rushed over from the field; and Father
came out of the barn; and Mother flew out of the house; and Rover and
Brownie and Wienerwurst raced from the pond, each one to see what all
the hullabaloo was about.

What they did see was the two boys standing guard in front of the hole
to protect little Reddy, and the big hunter dogs jumping up on them
with their paws and growling most terribly. It was a wonder that the
boys weren't frightened enough to run away, but they didn't. They just
stood their ground. Still, they were glad enough to see Father and the
Toyman close by.

And now one of the men in redcoats had dismounted from his horse, and
Marmaduke called to him,--

"You shan't touch Reddy, you _shan't_!"

He was half crying, too, not for himself, but for Reddy.

The man was taking off his cap. He was very polite, and he bowed to
Mother.

"We'll pay for all damages, Madam, but let us have the brush."

The boys thought that was funny, calling their mother "madam," when
everybody in the neighborhood called her "Mis' Green." And what did he
want a brush for? To brush his fine cap and red coat or his shiny
boots? Or to wipe up Reddy out of his hole? However, the Toyman was
whispering: