"Trust them not," said Careless; "they have broken half a dozen oaths already."
"But we will not break this," said Ezra. "We will hold our peace as to all that we have seen and heard, and go back to Colonel James."
By this time the fury of the storm had abated. The thunder had rolled off to a distance, and though the lightning still flashed, the rain had entirely ceased.
"The storm has cleared off," observed Jane Lane, in a low tone to the king. "There is nothing to prevent our departure."
"Then we will not remain here a moment longer," he rejoined. "We must deprive these rascals of the means of following us," he added to Careless; "we will take their horses."
"Take their lives as well as their horses. You are dealing far too leniently with them," said Careless.
Fancying all was over with them, the two wretches besought mercy in piteous terms.
"Stand back, then," cried Charles, fiercely; "and do not stir till we are gone, or you will rush upon your death."
The troopers moved back as enjoined, but Careless did not like their looks, and called out to them:
"Further back, or we will shoot you!"