awaited him, for the river pirates might be expected to make a desperate
resistance. Geoffrey advised a halt for a time until it should be well-nigh
dark, as the marauders might have spies set to give notice should strangers
enter the marsh.

They started before it was quite dark, as Walter doubted whether he should
be able to lead them straight to the hut after the night had completely
fallen. He felt, however, tolerably sure of his locality, for he had
noticed that two trees grew on the edge of the swamp just at the spot where
he had left it. He had no difficulty in finding these, and at once led the
way. The horses of the magistrate and his followers were left in charge of
three of their number.

"You are sure you are going right?" the magistrate said to Walter. "The
marsh seems to stretch everywhere, and we might well fall into a quagmire,
which would swallow us all up.

"I am sure of my way," Walter answered; "and see, yonder clump of bushes,
which you can just observe above the marsh, a quarter of a mile away, is
the spot where the house of their leader is situated."

With strict injunctions that not a word was to be spoken until the bush was
surrounded, and that all were to step noiselessly and with caution, the
party moved forward. It was now nearly dark, and as they approached the hut
sounds of laughter and revelry were heard.

"They are celebrating their success in a carouse," Geoffrey said. "We shall
catch them nicely in a trap."

When they came close, a man who was sitting just at the low mouth of the