Now they're takin' a drink.
It takes a lot of whiskey to help ten men jump onto one old man, and him a stranger in the Woods.

Now Wash is sendin' two of them around to the back, so you can't slip out into the brush.

Sh--h-- h, here comes a couple more to try the front door." He slipped quietly across the room to the shepherd's side.

The visitors came softly up to the front door, and tried it gently.

A moment later the rear door was tried in the same way.
"Let Brave speak to them," whispered Young Matt; and the dog, feeling the restraining hand removed, barked fiercely.
Mr.Howitt, following his companion's whispered instructions, spoke aloud, "What's the matter, Brave ?" A bold knock at the front door caused the dog to redouble his efforts, until his master commanded him to be still.