"Broaken Bill's leg, did'st say, ye young varmint?" one of the men
exclaimed. "Oi've a good moinde to wring yer neck."

"I am very sorry," Ned said; "but I did not mean it. I and another
boy were walking back to Marsden from fishing, and he wouldn't let
us pass; it was too far to go back again, so of course we had to
try, and then there was a fight, but it was quite an accident his
breaking his leg."

"Did'st see nowt afore ye had the voight?" one of the other men
inquired.

"No," Ned replied; "we saw no one from the time we left the stream
till we met the boy who would not let us pass, and I only caught
sight of you walking this way from the top of the rock."

"If 'twere a vair voight, John, the boy bain't to be blamed, though
oi be main grieved about thy brother Bill; but we'd best go back
for him, voor on us. And moind, youngster, thee'd best keep a quiet
tongue in thy head as to whaat thou'st seen here."

"I haven't seen anything," Ned said; "but of course if you wish it
I will say nothing about it."

"It were best for ee, for if thou go'st aboot saying thou'st seen
men with guns and clubs up here on the moor, it ull be the worsest
day's work ee've ever done."

"I will say nothing about it," Ned replied, "but please come on at