In a moment she had wrenched the lantern from the head of the ass, and the creature, startled, dashed away and disappeared in the darkness. Judith put the light under her cloak.
“Oh, Jamie! Jamie! Why have you done this! Who ever set you to this wicked task?”
“I am Jack o’ Lantern,” answered the boy. “Ju! now my Neddy is gone.”
“Jamie, who sent you out to do this? Answer me.”
“Captain Coppinger!”
Judith walked on in silence. Neither she nor Uncle Zachie spoke, only Jamie whimpered and muttered.
Suddenly they were surrounded, and a harsh voice exclaimed:
“In the king’s name. We have you now—showing false lights.”
Judith hastily slung the lantern from beneath her cloak, and saw that there were several men about her, and that the speaker was Mr. Scantlebray.
The latter was surprised when he recognized her.