“Yes,” said the squire hoarsely. “Let’s get home quick.”
They started on again, walking fast, but at the end of a minute Dick uttered a cry.
“We’re off the road, father. Water!”
As he spoke he was ankle-deep, and in taking a step to catch his son’s arm, Squire Winthorpe felt the water splash up around him.
“Can you see the lights at the Priory, Dick?” he said sharply.
“No, father.”
“We can’t be off the path,” said the squire. “Is it boggy and soft under you?”
“No, father—hard; but I’m in the water.”
“It’s hard here too,” said the squire, trying the ground with his feet; “and yet we must be off the road. Stand fast, my boy; don’t move.”
“Are you going away, father?” said Dick.