The two boys stopped astonished.

"We are going to Marsden," Ned replied; "but what's that to you?"

"Doan't ee moind wot it be to oi," the boy said; "oi tell ee ee
can't goa no further; yoi've got ter go back."

"We shan't go back," Ned said; "we have got as much right to go
this way as you have. This is not your land; and if it is, we ain't
hurting it."

By this time they were at the foot of the pile of rocks, and the
lad was standing some ten feet above them.

"Oi tell ee," he repeated doggedly, "yoi've got vor to go back."

The boy was so much bigger and stronger than either Ned or his
companion that the former, although indignant at this interference,
did not deem it prudent to attempt to climb the crag, so he said
to Tompkins: "Of course we ain't going back, but we had better take
a turn so as to get out of the way of this fellow."

So saying they turned to the right and prepared to scout round the
rock and continue their way; but this did not suit their obstructor.

"If ee doan't go back at oncet oi'll knock the heads off thee
shoulders."

"We can't go back," Tompkins said desperately, "we are both as
tired as we can be, and my heel is so sore that I can hardly walk.