One spring evening she saw two mounted men descending one of the
roads which led from the mountains. Instead of jogging quietly out
on the highway, as ordinary travellers would have done, they
disappeared among the trees. Soon afterward she caught a glimpse
of two other horsemen on the second mountain road. One of these
soon came into full view, and looked up and down as if to see that
all was clear. Apparently satisfied, he gave a low whistle, when
three men joined him. Phebe waited to see no more, but sped toward
the house, her flaxen curls flying from her flushed and excited
face.
"They are coming, father! Thee must be quick!" she cried.
But a moment or two elapsed before all were within the dwelling,
the doors banged and barred, the heavy shutters closed, and the
home-fortress made secure. Phebe's warning had come none too soon,
for they had scarcely time to take breath before the tramp of
galloping horses and the oaths of their baffled foes were heard
without. The marauders did not dare make much noise, for fear that
some passing neighbor might give the alarm.
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