We shouldn't get to Marsden tonight if we were to turn back."

"That's nowt to oi," the boy said. "Oi bain't a-going to let ee
pass here."

"What are we to do, Ned?" Tompkins groaned.

"Do!" Ned replied indignantly. "Why, go on, of course. Marsden
cannot be more than three miles off, and I ain't going to walk
twelve miles round to please this obstinate brute."

"But he is ever so much bigger than we are," Tompkins said doubtfully.

"Well, there are two of us," Ned said, "and two to one is fair
enough when he is as big as the two of us together."

"We are going on," he said to the boy, "and if you interfere with
us it will be the worse for you."

The boy descended leisurely from his position on the rocks.

"Oi don't want to hurt ee, but oi've got to do as oi were bid, and
if ee doan't go back oi've got to make ee. There be summat a-going
on thar," and he jerked his head behind him, "as it wouldn't be
good vor ee to see, and ye bain't a-going vor to see it."

But Ned and Tompkins were desperate now, and dropping their rods
made a rush together against him.