Nor did the lady see the form of a man until she was near at hand.

At the sight she threw up her hands and screamed loudly from fright.

Belton turned and fled precipitately.
The chicken-coop door had been accidentally left open and Belton, unthinkingly, jumped into the chicken house.

The chickens set up a lively cackle, much to his chagrin.

He grasped an old rooster to stop him, but missing the rooster's throat, the rooster gave the alarm all the more vociferously.