Come on!"
"Are you - are you going up there?" sked Charley.
"Sure! Why not? I think we can scare em away."
The other boys hesitated. Some of them were older than Bert, and when
they saw that he was determined to go on, they made up their minds that
they would not let him go alone.
"All right - go ahead - we're with you," said Charley.
Bert and the others advanced. As they walked on they could see the
light in the barn more plainly. And, as they stopped for a moment they
could hear voices talking in low tones.
"More than one," whispered Charley.
"Yes, three or four," said Bert.
They walked ahead again, when suddenly Charley stepped on a stick that
broke with a loud snap. In an instant the light in the barn went out,
and then could be heard the footsteps of several persons running away.
"There they are!" shouted Bert, dashing forward. "Come on, fellows!
We'll get 'em now!"
"That's right!" cried Charley. "Come on, surround 'em!"
Of course this was all said for effect, as the boys had no idea of
trying to capture the tramps, or whoever it was that had taken the ice
cream. But Bert thought that they could scare the thieves away, for the
latter could not tell, in the darkness, how many, nor who were after
them.
Flashing his light, Bert dashed ahead, followed by the others. Into the
big barn they went, and, just as they entered the main part, they had a
glimpse of someone running out of a side door.
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