“Is he there, Mr Winthorpe?” cried Marston excitedly; and he, too, stepped forward and entered the hut.
“Why, what’s it all mean?” said Farmer Tallington impatiently; and he, too, stepped up to the low doorway and entered.
“They’re tying his hands and feet, Tom,” whispered Dick excitedly; and unable to control himself he ran up to the door, followed by his schoolmate, but as he did so it was to encounter the squire coming out with a peculiarly solemn look upon his countenance.
“Isn’t he there, father?” cried Dick wonderingly.
“Yes, boy—no,” said the squire solemnly, as the others came slowly out. “He managed to crawl here to die.”
Chapter Twenty Seven.
Last Words.
It was a solemn party that returned to the Toft that day: three boats, with the last propelled by Hickathrift, towing another behind. That last punt was Dave Gittan’s, and in it, later on, the man was taken to his last resting-place.