Bud Long, supported by half a dozen boys armed with
Revolutionary muskets, which would not go off unless carried, stood in
front of the little jail with its wooden walls and iron bars, guarding
the prisoners zealously. The calaboose was built to hold tramps and
drunken men, but not for the purpose of housing desperadoes. Even as the
heroic Bud watched with persevering faithfulness, his charges were
planning to knock their prison to smithereens and at the proper moment
escape to the woods and hills. They knew the grated door was unlocked,
but they imagined the place to be completely surrounded by vengeful
villagers, who would cut them down like rats if they ventured forth. Had
they but known that Bud was alone, it is quite likely they would have
sallied forth and relieved him of his guns, spanked him soundly and then
ambled off unmolested to the country.
All the morning old Maude had been groaning and swearing in the office,
where she lay unattended. Bud was telling his friends how he had knocked
her down twice in the cave, after she had shot six times and slashed at
him with her dagger, when a sudden cessation of groans from the interior
attracted the attention of all. "Doc" Smith arrived at that juncture
and found the boys listening intently for a resumption of the
picturesque profanity. It was some time before the crowd became large
enough to inspire a visit to the interior of the calaboose.
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