Ellis still slept outside and he had not yet come in. Joe went to his
bed and shook his shoulder.
"Ellis."
Ellis, who had a happy faculty for coming awake all at once, opened his
eyes and sat up.
"What do you want, Joe?"
"Things might be stirring. I believe the Wintersons' house is burning
and we'd better be ready for visitors. Come on in."
"Right away."
Ellis sat up beneath his blankets and started pulling on his clothes.
Joe formulated a plan of action. The house was a strong fortress, and
all the grass for a hundred yards on every side had been mowed. Tad was
a crack shot and Ellis was good, and anyone with the wrong ideas who
came in range would have reason to regret it. Joe went back into the
house. His eyes shining with excitement, Tad accosted him.
"Are they comin', Pa? Are they really comin'?'
"I don't know. But get your rifle ready."
"It's all ready!"