"They are beating us," cried one of the men, with a curse. "We must go and fight."
"What shall we do with these prisoners?"
"Tie them and leave them."
"Have you a rope?"
"No. There is one by the grave."
"Let's take the prisoners there and bind them."
This proposition was accepted; and, seizing the priest and Ethel, the four men hurried them back to the grave. The square hole lay there just beside them, with the earth by its side. Ethel tried to see into it, but was not near enough to do so. One of the men found the rope, and began in great haste to bind the arms of the priest behind him. Another began to bind Ethel in the same way.
But now there came loud cries, and the rush of men near them. A loud, stern voice was encouraging the men.
"On! on!" he cried. "Follow me! We'll drive them back!"
Saying this, a man hurried on, followed by a score of brigands.