They would have more trouble in getting out of the place than they had had in getting into it if the gap were to be stopped.
At the farm that season were two hired men, brothers named James and Asa Doane, strong, active young fellows; and since it was warm September weather, the old Squire asked them to make a shake-down of hay for themselves that night behind the orchard wall, near the old pound, and to sleep there "with one eye open." If the rogues did not come for the pears, we would take down the skunk fence early the next morning, and set it again for them the following night.
Nothing suited Asa and Jim better than a lark of that sort.

About eight o'clock they ensconced themselves in the orchard, thirty or forty feet from the old pound gateway.

Addison also lay in wait with them.

If the rogues came and began to shake the trees, all three were to make a rush for the gap, keep them in there, and shout for the old Squire to come down from the house.
Addison's surmise that Alfred and his crony would begin operations that very night proved a shrewd one.

Shortly after eleven o'clock he heard a noise at the entrance of the old pound.