The children carried off by the Bernician Raiders.
Soon flames were bursting from the walls and roofs of the cottages, which their destroyers had set on fire after removing everything that was worth carrying away.
When the captives were brought in, they were found to be mostly old people, together with some trembling children, whose parents were lost or slain.
'Those,' said the leader, pointing to the white-haired men and woman, 'are no good. What do we want with old folk?—But these,' he added, pointing to the children, 'you may keep. They will grow into fine strong men by and by.'
The children were bound hand and foot to prevent them from running away; and after posting sentries to keep a look-out, the raiders sat down to feast upon some of the slaughtered cattle, which they had roasted before the flames of the burning houses.
Suddenly one of the outposts called out to say there was something in the distance which looked like a band of armed men.
'Ay, ay,' said the leader; 'time we made the best of our way homeward. Our big bonfire is bright enough to bring the whole countryside upon us.'
Hastily collecting their spoil, the raiders looked about for their horses. Each prisoner was made to mount beside one of his captors, and soon the whole band was trotting away in the gathering darkness.
It was in vain that the boys strained their eyes to look behind. Either they had not yet been missed, or else their rescuers had not found out the direction which the spoilers had taken.