My shoes are beginning to rub my heels, Tompkins said, so I will take the shortest way and risk it. I dont see we can go far out of our way.
I dont see that we can, Ned replied. Marsden lies to the east, so we have only to keep our backs to the sun; it wont be down for another two hours yet, and before that we ought to be in.
By this time they had taken their rods to pieces, wound up their lines, and were ready to start. A few minutes sharp climbing took them to the top of the slope. They were now upon the moor, which stretched away with slight undulations as far as they could see.
Now, Ned said, we will make for that clump of rocks. They seem to be just in the line we ought to take, and by fixing our eyes upon them we shall go straight.
This, however, was not as easy to do as Ned had fancied; the ground was in many places so soft and boggy that they were forced to make considerable detours. Nevertheless the rocks served as a beacon, and enabled them to keep the right direction; but although they made their way at the best of their speed it was an hour after starting before they approached the rock.
When they were within fifty yards of it a figure suddenly rose. It was that of a boy some fifteen years of age.
Goa back, he shouted; dang yer, what beest a cooming here vor?
The two boys stopped astonished.
We are going to Marsden, Ned replied; but whats that to you?
Doant ee moind wot it be to oi, the boy said; oi tell ee ee cant goa no further; yoive got ter go back.
We shant 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 aint 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, yoive 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 aint 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 doant go back at oncet oill knock the heads off thee shoulders.
We cant 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. We shouldnt get to Marsden tonight if we were to turn back.
Thats nowt to oi, the boy said. Oi baint 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 aint 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 dont want to hurt ee, but oive got to do as oi were bid, and if ee doant go back oive got to make ee. There be summat a-going on thar, and he jerked his head behind him, as it wouldnt be good vor ee to see, and ye baint a-going vor to see it.
But Ned and Tompkins were desperate now, and dropping their rods made a rush together against him.
CHAPTER II: THE FIGHT ON THE MOOR
The lad threw himself into a position of defense as the two boys rushed at him.
Oi doant want vor to hurt ee, he said again, but if ee will have it, why, it wont be moi vault; and swinging his arm round, he brought it down with such force upon the nose of Tompkins that the latter was knocked down like a ninepin, and, once down, evinced no intention of continuing the conflict.
In Ned, however, the lad found an opponent of a different stamp. The latter saw at once that his opponents far greater weight and strength rendered it hopeless for him to trust to close fighting, and he worked round and round him, every now and then rushing at him and delivering a telling blow, and getting off again before his heavy and comparatively unwieldy companion could reply.
Once or twice, indeed, the lad managed to strike him as he came in, each time knocking him fairly off his feet; but in the fair spirit which at that time animated English men and boys of all classes he allowed Ned each time to regain his feet without interference.
Thou beest a plucky one, he said, as Ned after his third fall again faced him, but thou baint strong enough for oi.
Ned made no reply, but nerved himself for a fresh effort. The blows he had received had been heavy, and the blood was streaming from his face; but he had no idea of giving in, although Tompkins, in spite of his calls and reproaches, refused to raise himself beyond a sitting position.
Its no good, Ned, he replied, the brute is too big for us, and Id rather try to walk home all the way round than get another like the last. My nose feels as big as my head.
Ned hardly heard what his companion said. He would have been killed rather than yield now, and gathering all his strength he sprang at his opponent like a tiger. Avoiding the blow which the boy aimed at him, he leaped upon him, and flung his arms round his neck. The sudden shock overthrew him, and with a crash both boys came to the ground together.
Ned at once loosened his hold, and springing to his feet again, awaited the rising of his opponent. The latter made a movement to get up, and then fell back with a cry.
Thou hast beaten me, he said. Oi think moi leg be broke.
Ned saw now that as the lad had fallen his leg had been twisted under him, and that he was unable to extricate it. In a moment he was kneeling before the prostrate lad.
Oh! I am sorry, he exclaimed; but you know I didnt mean to do it. Here, Tompkins, dont sit there like a fool, but come and help me move him and get his leg straight.
Although the boys did this as gently as they could, a groan showed how great was the agony.
Where is it? Ned asked.
Aboove the knee somewhere, the lad said, and Ned put his hand gently to the spot, and to his horror could feel something like the end of a bone.
Oh! dear, what is to be done? Here, Tompkins, either you or I must go on to the town for help.
Its getting dark already, Tompkins said; the sun has set some time. How on earth is one to find the way?
Well, if you like I will go, Ned said, and you stop here with him.
The lad, who had been lying with closed eyes and a face of ghastly pallor, now looked up.
There be soom men not a quarter of a mile away; they be a-drilling, they be, and oi was sot here to stop any one from cooming upon em; but if so bee as thou wilt go and tell em oi has got hurt, oi dont suppose as they will meddle with ye.
Ned saw now why the lad had opposed his going any further. Some of the croppers were drilling on the moor, and the boy had been placed as sentry. It wasnt a pleasant business to go up to men so engaged, especially with the news that he had seriously injured the boy they had placed on watch. But Ned did not hesitate a moment.
You stop here, Tompkins, with him, he said quietly, I will go and fetch help. It is a risk, of course, but we cant let him lie here.