l," said Farmer Tallington, "perhaps you're reight neighbour; and as
long as he is punished I don't know as I mind much how it's done."

"Then we all understand each other, and you, my men, I shall hold you
answerable for any injury this man receives."

"What! Mayn't us knock him down, squire?" grumbled the big wheelwright.

"Of course you may, Hickathrift. Stun him if you like; he will be the
easier to bind."

"Hey, that's better, lads," cried the wheelwright, brightening up.
"Squire's talking sense now."

"But he'll shoot his sen oop in yon hut, squire, and fire at us and
bring us down."

"There will only be time for one shot, Mr Tallington," said Marston
quietly, "and we can fetch him out before he has a chance to reload.
Mr Winthorpe is right."

"Oh well, I wean't stick out," said the farmer rather sulkily; "but
Dave's a rare good shot and one of us will hev to go home flat on his
back before we get up to yon wood."

"He will not dare to fire," said the squire firmly.

"I do not agree with you, Mr Winthorpe," said Marston. "The man is
desperate, and he will do anything now to escape."

"And if he can't," cried Farmer Tallington, "he'll die like a rat in a
corner, biting, so look out. He's got that long gun of his loaded and
ready for the first man who goes up to yon hut, and that man arn't me."

"I will go up first," said the squire quietly; "and he will not dare to
fire."

"Bud he hev dared to fire, mester," said the wheelwright.

"Yes, at those who did not see him lurking in some hiding-place, but he
will not dare to fire now."

"He can't fire, father," cried Dick excitedly.

"Why?"

"Because I have his gun here in the boat."

"What?" cried the squire; and the matter was explained.

There was no further hesitation. The boats divided as if going to the
attack upon some fort, and after giving the others time to get well on
either side of the island, the squire gave Hickathrift orders to go on,
and the punt glided swiftly toward the shore.

"You two boys lie down in the bottom of the boat," said the squire.

"Oh, father!" exclaimed Dick, as Tom slowly obeyed.

"What is it, Dick?"

"It seems so cowardly."

"It is more cowardly to risk life unnecessarily for the sake of
bravado," said his father; and then, reading the look upon his son's
face, the squire continued with a sad smile:

"I am captain of this little expedition, Dick, and the captain must
lead."

Dick never felt half so