“Do! I’m going to make my mark upon him, and then go home.”
“Well, you have, lad.”
“Ay, with a stick, but I’m going to do it with my knife;” and, as he spoke, the lesser of the two men drew his knife from its dagger-like sheath.
“No, no, don’t do that. Give him a good ’un on the head. No knife.”
“Yes, knife,” said the lesser of the two. “He’s had no mercy, and I’ll have none. He’s stunned, and won’t feel it.”
“Don’t do that, lad,” whimpered the bigger man.
“Ay, but I will,” said the other, hoarsely; and, dropping on his knees, he seized the prostrate man by the ear, when the trembling wretch uttered a shriek of agony, making his assailants start away.
“Did you do it, lad?”
“Yes; I done it. I’m satisfied now. Let’s go.”
“And leave him there?”