For a moment Bert hesitated about whether to draw his g*n on the c******n, or try to dodge them. Since the big c******n carried a club that much resembled a pick handle, and the smaller one had his cleaver, a hand-to-hand conflict with them was anything but appealing. Bert took to his heels.
He was thankful now that the high, tight fence did keep the men on the outside from seeing what was going on, for he did not create a dignified spectacle by fleeing at top speed from the chattering c******n with the club.
He saw a door and made a bolt for it; but only to discover that it was locked. He abandoned that, and flashing around the end of the house, leaped upon a long porch or verandah. He could see two doors opening into the house there, but they, too, proved to be locked. He turned away f
