“‘If that’s so, the rider’s not far off,’ said the other, grimly, taking the lantern and advancing.
“It was all I could do to lie motionless, breathing heavily, as the light fell full on my face.
“‘Ah! found him!’ was the exclamation, as both rushed towards me.
“I heard the cocking of a pistol close beside me, and was conscious of a rude plucking at my arm.
“‘Come, get up there! What do you do here? Get up, do you hear?’
“I had one hope left, and it was a desperate one.
“I roused myself slowly, and with many feints, from my mock slumber, and rubbed my eyes and yawned, and stared first at one, then the other.
“‘Get up,’ again cried the men, still pulling my arm roughly, ‘and say what you’re doing here.’
“‘Doing here?’ I drawled as unconcernedly as I could, stretching myself at the same time, ‘That’s a pretty question to ask me. What were you doing not to be here at eight o’clock, I’d like to know?’
“The men let go my arms, and looked at me in bewilderment.