“Oh,” said the mill-owner; “you must try.”
The bright light from the cottage door, at which the woman stood watching them, streamed out and lit up their path for a few steps. Then they were in the pitch darkness, and in danger of completely losing their way, for it was rough broken country that lay between the little settlement and the Tor. In that district villages were few and far between, and beyond Beldale there was uncultivated land for many miles.
“They would be sure to come back this way, wouldn’t they?” asked Mr Willows. “Don’t you think so, James?”
“Pretty nigh certain, master,” was the response, and the man held the lantern aloft and glanced round. “It’s a rough enough way and no mistake, if you can call it a way; but it’s the only one I knows of. But don’t you fret, sir. Master Will can take care of himself, and as for Mr Manners, he’s big enough, while Master Josh is a handy one too, They are sure to be all right, sir, take my word for it.”
“Yes,” said Mr Willows; “but there are many dangerous places there out in the wilds, and boys are over-venturesome.”
“Humph! The swamp? Ay,” said the man, thoughtfully. “Yes, to be sure. But we shall find them, never fear.”
The Great Tor looked quite near at times, in the daylight, but that was merely base deception on the part of the atmosphere, for it was quite a long way, while now, at night, it was not to be seen at all. It was on the tip of John Willows’ tongue several times to ask Drinkwater if he were sure, but he reflected what would be the use? For the man was plodding steadily on, and the tiny rays of his lantern fell on the rough grass and stones. Evidently he knew quite well what he was about, for there was a certainty in his movements—never any hesitation.
“Suppose,” said the Vicar, “that they have gone back home another way.”
“Aren’t no use supposing, sir. I don’t think as they have,” said the man, quietly. “This ’ere’s the only safe way through the bog.”
“Very well,” said Mr Willows, shortly. “We must just press on. I wish Mr Manners wouldn’t lead our lads so far afield.”