in a corner. And then they stood about, as soldiers do; now, with
their hands loosely clasped before them; now, resting a knee or
a shoulder; now, easing a belt or a pouch; now, opening the door
to spit stiffly over their high stocks, out into the yard.

All these things I saw without then knowing that I saw them, for
I was in an agony of apprehension. But, beginning to perceive
that the handcuffs were not for me, and that the military had so
far got the better of the pie as to put it in the background, I col-
lected a little more of my scattered wits.

'Would you give me the Time!' said the sergeant, addressing
himself to Mr. Pumblechook, as to a man whose appreciative
powers justified the inference that he was equal to the time.

'It's just gone half-past two.'

'That's not so bad,' said the sergeant, reflecting; 'even if I was
forced to halt here nigh two hours, that'll do. How far might you
call yourselves from the marshes, hereabouts? Not above a mile,
I reckon?'

'Just a mile,' said Mrs. Joe.

'That'll do. We begin to close in upon 'em about dusk. A
little before dusk, my orders are. That'll do.'

'Convicts, sergeant!' asked Mr. Wopsle, in a matter-of-course
way.

'Ay!' returned the sergeant, 'two. They're pretty well known
to be out on the marshes still, and they won't try to get clear of
'em before dusk. Anybody here seen anything of any such game?'

Everybody, myself excepted, said no, with confidence. Nobody
thought of me.

'Well,' said the sergeant, 'they'll find themselves trapped in a
circle, I expect, sooner than they count on. Now, blacksmith! If
you're ready, his Majesty the King is.'

Joe had got his coat and waistcoat and cravat off, and his leather
apron on and passed into the forge. One of the soldiers opened its
wooden windows, another lighted the fire, another turned to at the
bellows, the rest stood round the blaze, which was soon roaring.
Then Joe began to hammer and clink, hammer and clink, and we
all looked on.

The interest of the impending pursuit not only absorbed the gen-
eral attention, but even made my sister liberal. She drew a pitcher

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