Where are you bound for, youngster?" cried one of them, whom I
recognised by the voice to be Ned Burden.

"I came to see what was going forward," I answered.

"Not the first time you have done that, young gentleman," said one, in
an angry voice. "We know who you are. Somebody gave information about
the run which was to be made to-night, and putting two or three things
together no one will doubt that it was you. Shall we heave him over the
cliffs, or what shall we do with him, mates?"

"Let us take him along with us, at all events," said one of the other
men. "If he has spoiled our plans to-night, he deserves to be knocked
on the head."

"Spoilt our plans indeed he has," said Burden; and he presently detailed
to his companions how he had caught me listening at the old barn, and
how, not supposing that I had heard anything of importance, he had let
me go.

I could not deny this, and I saw that it would be useless to attempt to
defend myself. My captors, without more ado, proceeded to tie my arms
behind my back, and to bind a handkerchief over my eyes.

"Remember, youngster," said Burden, "if you shout out or utter a word
we'll send a bullet through your head."

From the fierce way in which he spoke I thought he was very likely to do
this. I did not tell him that I knew who he was, as I was sure that
this would only make matters worse for me. I did not, however, believe
that they really meant to kill me; but what they would do was more than
I could guess. Two of them taking me one by each arm led me along the
road, without wasting another word on me. They walked very fast indeed.
Had they not supported me I should have fallen several times. Every
moment I thought they would stop. I tried to ascertain in what
direction they were leading me, but very soon lost all means of doing
so. At length they made me sit down on what I supposed was a bank. I
tried to judge from what quarter the wind was blowing, but the spot was
sheltered, and sometimes it blew on one cheek and sometimes on the
other. I could hear the roar of the waves, by which I knew that I could
be at no great distance from the shore. While one of them held me
tightly by the arm, the others withdrew to a distance to consult as to
how they should proceed. After a time they came back, and we continued
our march at the same rate as before. On and on we went. I was getting
very tired, and would gladly have again sat down. When I complained,
the