So away we ran with the chair, and all our other preparations for dressing and tying and securing.

The whole party surrounded the chair, some pushing, some pulling.  When, however, we got within a convenient distance of the old lady’s hut, Hardy and the others stepped on one side, and placed the helmet, coat, lantern, matches, etc., under a hedge, to be ready when required, while Quidd, Sapskull, and myself went with the chair to the old lady’s cottage.

When we got there we found her spruce and prim with her best black silk bonnet, something in shape like a coal-scuttle, her stick in her hand, and her shoes on her feet.  We drove up the chair in fine style.  There were several cottages close by, and the neighbors came out to see the old lady ride.  At last some one who knew Quidd said: 

“Why, that is the lawyer’s son.  Sure enough old Goody has got some money left her.”

So then there was a talking and surmising, and before Goody got to church it was reported all over the town that she was made the possessor of several thousand pounds prize-money; that she was to be a lady, and ride in her carriage.  Being sent for, as it was supposed, by the lawyer must be for something—­a large legacy, no doubt.

The chair wheeled on with Goody in it.  The boys looked as if they were up to something, and sure enough they were.  When they came to that part of the lane at which the various habiliments had been left, the chair stopped, and out rushed the other conspirators.

“Do not be alarmed, Goody,” said Hardy.  “We are only going to make a guy of you for an hour or two.  No one shall harm you, and you shall have all the money we get.”

“I want to go to church—­I want to go to church!” said the old lady, and tried to get out of the chair.

Hardy, however, very dexterously threw some cord round the arms, and tied the poor old creature down.

“We won’t hurt you, Goody,” said he.  “We only want you for a guy.  You shall have all the money.”

“I won’t be a guy!  I won’t be a guy!” said Goody.  “I do not want any money.  Let me out! let me out!”

She then made a blow with her broomstick, and struck Master Hardy on the nose, from which the blood flowed freely.  This, however, only made him the more determined, and in a few minutes the poor old woman’s arms were secured as well as her legs.

“Oh, help, neighbors!  They are going to burn me!” said the old lady, and then she fell coughing, for she had long suffered from asthma.

While convulsed with this fit, the boys took the opportunity to besmear her face with red and black paint, and to place the helmet on her head, and the coat round her, so that the arms hung on each side with nothing on them.  The chair was then crammed with straw, and the lantern and the matches suspended from it.  In this state the chair was wheeled rapidly along in the direction of the town.