cried Eph , much disgusted at the loss of his prey , for these hardy boys loved to hunt , and prided themselves on the number of wild animals and birds they could shoot in a year . `` Oh , Gad , how could you scare us so ? '' laughed Tilly , still held fast in one shaggy arm of the bear , while the other drew a dozen oranges from some deep pocket in the buffalo-skin coat , and fired them into the kitchen with such good aim that Eph ducked , Prue screamed , and Sol and Seth came down much quicker than they went up . `` Wal , you see I got upsot over yonder , and the old horse went home while I was floundering in a drift , so I tied on the buffalers to tote 'em easy , and come along till I see the children playin ' in the holler . I jest meant to give 'em a little scare , but they run like partridges , and I kep ' up the joke to see how Eph would like this sort of company , '' and Gad haw-hawed again . `` You 'd have had a warm welcome if we had n't found you out . I 'd have put a bullet through you in a jiffy , old chap , '' said Eph , coming out to shake hands with the young giant , who was only a year or two older than himself . `` Come in and set up to dinner with us . Prue and I have done it all ourselves , and Pa will be along soon , I reckon , '' cried Tilly , trying to escape . `` Could n't , no ways . My folks will think I 'm dead ef I do n't get along home , sence the horse and sleigh have gone ahead empty . I 've done my arrant and had my joke ; now I want my pay , Tilly , '' and Gad took a hearty kiss from the rosy cheeks of his `` little sweetheart , '' as he called her . His own cheeks tingled with the smart slap she gave him as she ran away , calling out that she hated bears and would bring her ax next time . `` I ai n't afeared ; your sharp eyes found me out ; and ef you run into a bear 's arms you must expect a hug , '' answered Gad , as he pushed back the robe and settled his fur cap more becomingly . `` I should have known you in a minute if I had n't been asleep when the girls squalled . You did it well , though , and I advise you not to try it again in a hurry , or you 'll get shot , '' said Eph , as they parted , he rather crestfallen and Gad in high glee . `` My sakes alive -- the turkey is burnt one side , and the kettles have biled over so the pies I put to warm are all ashes ! '' scolded Tilly , as the flurry subsided and she remembered her dinner . `` Well , I ca n't help it . I could n't think of victuals when I expected to be eaten alive myself , could I ? ''
pleaded poor XXXXX , who had tumbled into the cradle when the rain of oranges began .
Gad Prue Wal ef escape kep minute partridges playin sakes