"Dear me," mimicked one boy rudely. "Will you really? What very fine people we are. Ain't we brave too! Come on, Bill," and they came towards the girls with a rush. But they had reckoned without a very important antagonist. Guard, sitting quiet, obedient, apparently unconcerned, had watched every movement. At their first step forward he was on his feet, when they made their rush he sprang towards them, knocking the first boy off his feet, and the others sprawling over him, and across the wriggling, bellowing, gasping heap he planted his big, rough body determinedly, growling fierce low growls every time they attempted to move, and even had his mistresses called to him then it is doubtful if he would have moved, so enraged was he. But Esther did not call him. Her anger had flamed as hot as his at this attack of the bullies on Angela and little Poppy, and she felt no pity. "They shall stay there," she determined, "for the time, at any rate. We will see what will happen next." The next thing that happened was a very meek voice coming from the prostrate trio. "Please, miss, if you'll call your dog off, we won't touch you, we won't really, honour bright!" "Honour bright," scoffed Esther. "You have none. You don't know what honour is! I didn't know before that boys ever were such cowards." "Please, miss, if you'll call him off and not let him hurt us, we'll promise--" "I don't want your promises," cried Esther. "You are thieves and cowards, and I wouldn't take your word. Besides, _we_ are not afraid of your touching us. Why did you steal our things?" "Well--we found them," grumbled one of the boys. "Findings is keepings, and how was we to know they was yours?" "You knew they were not yours, and you had no right to touch them." "You shouldn't leave things about if you don't want them took. As like as not your dog would have had 'em if we hadn't." "_He_ is _honest_," said Esther scathingly, "and we are accustomed to honest people. The things were put in a safe spot, out of sight." "Not so very safe," taunted Bill. "We found 'em easy enough." But his energy only called forth an alarming growl from Guard. "We will find a safe spot for you, at any rate," said Esther meaningly, and the boys became thoughtful for a moment. "Please, miss, your dog's 'urting. He's treading on my chest, and he's 'eavy," whined Bill, but Esther paid no heed. Silence reigned, broken only by the voice of the river, and the singing of the happy birds. Guard stood at his post, the three girls kept the entrance, the boys waited in increasing alarm, wondering what was going to happen. They were beginning to feel genuinely frightened. Esther was thinking deeply. The truth was she did not know what step to take next. She did not really want to give them in charge, she did not want the affair to reach Cousin Charlotte's ears, and she did not know how to dispose of her prisoners with dignity.