The door was kicked open at that moment, and a couple of the rough-looking fellows I had seen at the entrance to the court stood half inside, leaning against the door-posts and looking stolidly on.
I was about to appeal to them for help, but my instinct told me that such an application would be in vain, while their first words told me how right I was.
“Give it him, Ned. What’s he a-doin’ here?” said one.
“See if he’s got any tin,” said the other.
“Ah! make him pay up,” said the first.
“’Ow much have yer got, eh?” said my captor, giving me a shake, which was the signal for the boy to kick at me again with all his might.
“Gahn, will yer,” cried the man, “or I’ll wrap that rope’s end round yer.”
The woman just then made a step forward and struck at the boy, who dodged the blow, and retreated to the far end of the room, the woman shrinking away too as the man growled:
“Let him alone; will yer?”
I seized the opportunity to wrench myself partly away, and to catch hold of the rope, which the man had now beneath one of his feet.