But why were we running to Wittenberge? I asked myself the question over and over again, only to give it up in bewilderment. At the rate we were travelling I should soon know, of course; but my impatience and anxiety were only heated by that fact.
Presently the men bent down over me again.
"You must have given him a pretty strong dose," said one.
His companion laughed. "Do you suppose I measured it?"
"He's as fast off as ever. Look here." At this he shook me till the teeth all but rattled in my jaws, and then pinched me until I should think his fingers all but met in my flesh. He had a hand of iron.
"All the better. Saves trouble," growled the brute.
"Had we better give him another dose to get him on the boat? We don't want any noise there. It won't matter when he's once on board."
"If you want me to finish him, I will. Not else."
"Well, it's your look out that part of it, not mine."
"All right then, leave it to me. But I may as well make sure."