‘Give him another dose,’ said one of the heartless ruffians, ‘he likes the medicine so well.’
At this instant the trap door was lifted, and one of the gang, who had been stationed on the neighboring hill as a look-out, cried:
‘I see a party of horsemen making right for the hut, at full gallop. We must have been followed. Let’s be off, at once, or we’re sure to be taken!’
‘Sure an’ let’s have a brush wid ’em,’ said Jimmy.
‘Never fight till you’re obliged to,’ said Blodget.
‘Lay hold of this fellow,’ said Maretzo, ‘and carry him to a horse, then let’s all start down towards the Heads. I know of a cave there, that has never had any dwellers except seals. There we can keep this youth, and wring the secret from him, or, failing that, put him where he’ll tell no tales.’
No more words were wasted; this striking the whole party as the best plan they could pursue under the circumstances. Accordingly, a couple of men seized hold of Monteagle, and bore him up the stairs, through the hut, and then to the summit of the acclivity where the horses were tethered. The rest of the party followed, bearing with them all the most valuable and portable articles they could get hold of in their haste.
By the time the whole gang were in the saddle and ready for a start, the approaching party of riders had got to within a quarter of a mile of the hut. They were coming from the direction of the Mission.