To Kill a Mockingbird question

When Mr.Cunningham and his gang approached Atticus, I thought they were going to hurt him . If I was Scout and this was happening to my dad I would be scared and nervous. Then Scout ran to Atticus to try to defend him. I understand why she did this because if my father was about to get jumped, I would try to defend him too. After Atticus notices that they are there, he demands that they leave. If I were Atticus I would tell my children to leave so they wouldn't get hurt.