A man, rifle in hand, stood on the front steps, and demanded to know who had come.
"It is I, Harry, father!" cried Harry.

"Skelly and his crowd are only a mile behind me, coming to destroy the place!" Harry heard his father mutter, "Thank God!" which he knew was for his coming.

Then he quickly led the horse inside the gate, turned him loose and ran forward.

Colonel Kenton was already coming to meet him and the hands of father and son met in a strong and affectionate clasp.
"We will have to get out and go into the town," said Harry.

"You and I alone can't hold them off.