"Now I've got you!" exclaimed Munson, triumphantly, as he knocked the
feet from under Purley, and threw him down upon the floor. Then stooping
to gaze at the fallen foe, he condescended at length to recognize him.
"Oh! is it you, Mr. Purley? I really thought it was Mr. Berner, reskying
of his wife!" said Munson, with provoking coolness.
"Then I wish you would make surer another time, you stupid donkey!
You've all but killed me!" panted the victim, wiping the perspiration
from his face.
"What is the matter?"
"What's all this?"
"Is anybody hurt?"
Such were the hasty questions put by old Farmer Nye and his family, as
they gathered around the scene of action.
"Yes! I'm choked and shaken nearly to death!" gasped old Purley, in a
fury.
"It was done for the best," said Munson, soothingly.
"Oh, for the best, indeed! Set fire to you, would you murder an innocent
man out of kindness?" fiercely demanded Parley.
"You see, he fell upon me, and woke me up. It was so dark here, with
the window shutters closed, that I could not see well, so I mistook him
for Mr. Berners broke loose and trying to carry off his wife," explained
Robert Munson.
"Oh! well, I reckon you're not hurt much; only startled and shaken a
bit! Come and take a glass of morning bitters. That will set you up
again, and give you an appetite for your breakfast besides," said the
farmer, kindly.
"Thank you. I'll take the bitters, if you will send them up here! I
mustn't leave this floor until I see my charge out. And it's time for
them to get up too!" replied Purley, rising and knocking loudly at the
chamber door.
Of course there was no response.
He knocked again and again, more loudly than before, and he called to
them in a high tone.
But still there was no answer.
"Good Lord, how sound they sleep! I will go around to the other door and
rap there. It is near the head of their bed, and they will be sure to
hear me."
And so saying, old Purley went to the adjoining chamber, where he had
slept, dragged his mattress away from the door, and drew the key from
his pocket, when, to his astonishment and terror, he found the door
unlocked!
Without waiting an instant, from any scruples of politeness, he rushed
into the room.
To his horror and amazement, he found it empty!