“‘We all walked along quietly, chatting together.
“‘I gave them a good ‘pull’ at my brandy flask, and promised them an excellent reward if Captain Jack could be captured.
“‘They said they were willing enough if I would pay them before hand.
“‘I pulled out my purse to do this, and next moment one of them gave me a sudden blow on the head, and knocked me down.
“‘Before I could get my pistols out, the blow was repeated.
“‘I struggled hard; but in a second or two one of them pulled out a long knife and jagged my throat, and the blood spurted out all over me. (See cut in No. 15).
“‘In a second they robbed me of everything, and darted away into the darkness of the forest.
“‘I remained unconscious for some time, but my shouts and cries were heard, and soon afterwards two villagers, who were passing, raised me up and brought me here, and here I am a dying man.’”
“This is what the stranger said, eh?” remarked Captain Jack, picking his teeth, and looking much pleased.
“Yes, that is what he said, every word of it.”