We may be in time to catch the wretches who have done this.

Quick, boys! quick! And if I do--" He did not finish his sentence; but as the boys ran off he walked into the house, to return with his gun, and thus armed he made a hasty survey of the place.
By the time he had done, Dick was back with the men, and soon after, Hickathrift came panting up, with Tom; but though a hot search was carried on for hours, nothing more was found, and by breakfast-time five reports had rung out on the bright morning air, as Squire Winthorpe loaded his old flint-lock gun with a leaden bullet five times, and put the poor helpless suffering brutes out of their misery.
"Three good useful horses, and the best-bred bull and cow in the marsh, squire," said Farmer Tallington, who had come over as soon as he heard the news.

"Any idea who it could be ?" "No," said the squire; "thank goodness, no.

I don't want to find out the wretch's name, Tallington, for I'm a hot-tempered, passionate man." "It's the drain, neighbour, the drain," said the farmer, shaking his head.

"Let's be content with the money we've lost, and try to put a stop to proceedings before we suffer more and worse.