A sharp struggle ensued, but at its end the postboy was dragged out of the water by the hands of the Burrnock gang.
"Bind him, boys!" said the leader, exultantly. "That's gittin' him what I call mighty easy. I tole yer the bridge racket would fix him."
"What do you mean by this treatment?" demanded the postboy, as he found himself bound hands and feet.
"Keep cool an' ye'll find out quick 'nough, younker. Tote him erlong, boys."
Little Snap looked for some trace of Fairy, but in vain.
Nothing further was said by his captors, while he was borne away into the depths of the forest, subject to such thoughts and feelings as may be imagined. What would they think at home of his non-appearance when the time for his return came? Then he thought of Jack, and wondered if the horse would keep on until he had reached Six Roads. He was certain the steed would, and this gave him the only hope he felt in his captivity.
At last the captors and their prisoner reached the little opening marking the top of the bluff overhanging the cave, where Little Snap had once sought Ab Raggles.
In the party which had effected his capture he saw Buzzard and Hawk Burrnock, while the leader of the gang was none other than he who had been chief spokesman in the cavern. This man the postboy soon found was Bird Burrnock, the father of the four brothers.
As soon as the underground room was reached, Bird Burrnock addressed the captive as follows:
"Time is too mighty short, younker, fer us to perlaver with yer. 'Tis true we mought hev saved a good leetle slice o' yit by knockin' ye in th' head when we pulled ye out'n th' river. To speak th' truth, I hoped th' river would fix yer; but seein' yit wan't likely to, we got round in season to take enny idee o' escape ye mought hev hed out yer head.