We must now go back to Jacob. On recovering his senses and finding his
limbs tightly lashed, he in vain attempted to free himself. He was
unable to shout out for assistance, for a gag had been thrust into his
mouth, while an handkerchief tightly bound over his eyes prevented him
from seeing.
What his captors were going to do with him he could not tell. "They
will not dare to murder me," he thought; "if they do, no matter; I have
saved May, and father and mother and the ladies will see that they must
keep a careful watch over her lest these villains do what I suspect they
intended doing, and try to carry her off."
As far as Jacob could tell by the feeling of the wind on his cheeks, the
horsemen were taking their way to the Downs. That road was little
frequented, and he knew his captors would not venture to carry him thus
openly where they were likely to meet any one who would recognise him.
"I was sure it was the villain Gaffin who has played me this trick,"
thought Jacob, as he found the direction in which he was going. "He has
missed his aim if it was to get hold of our May, that's one comfort."
At last the men stopped. Jacob found himself lifted from the horse and
dragged into a house. He had little doubt that it was the mill-house.
He had often heard of the desperate characters who frequented it, and
they were not likely to have any scruple as to how they might treat him.
He was left for some time on the ground, though he heard people
speaking in low voices some way from him. Their voices grew louder and
louder. At last he heard one say--
"We must not keep him here; the sooner he is aboard the better."
Shortly afterwards he was again lifted and placed on his legs. Several
strong arms dragged him along, and he felt the prick of a cutlass in his
back driving him forward when he attempted to resist. He was dragged
down a steep path.
"I know all about it now," he thought. "That was the mill where they
kept me, and now they are going to take me aboard the lugger, and maybe
heave me overboard when they get into deep water. Poor father and
mother, I care for them more than any one else; May will think little
about me, I fear, and if it was not for my parents I should not care
what becomes of me."
All doubt of the matter was at an end when Jacob felt his feet pressing
the sand.
"If I once get on board I shall have no chance," he thought, and again
he made a desperate effort to free himself. In doing so the bandage was
torn off his head. He had sufficient time to see Gaffin, and he at once
recognised the men who had captured him, while young Miles was standing
by, though he kept at a respectful distance from his elbows.