"Oh, I can't bear bees!" whispered Nellie to Tom. "Let's get out of here," and she walked away, and the others followed.
Although the young folks remained up rather late on the night before the Fourth, Tom, Dick and Sam arranged among themselves to get up early the next day, to fire a salute from the old cannon.
"We'll surprise them all," said Tom. "We'll show 'em we can make a noise even if we are in the country."
The boys crept downstairs at five o'clock and hurried out to the shed where the powder had been left. Bringing the box forth they took it to where the old cannon had been placed on the lawn. The piece was pointed towards an apple orchard, so that it might do no damage.
"Now, fill her up good!" cried Tom. "We want to make as much noise as we can with the first shot."
"Don't put in such a load that she bursts," cautioned Dick.
The powder was measured out and put in, and then this was followed by a wad of paper Sam brought from the kitchen. They rammed the paper in good and tight.
"Now, I guess she's ready to set off," said Tom.
