But before they had got much further the noise of the cartwheels began again; and Stockdale soon found that they were coming towards him.

In another minute the three carts came up, and Stockdale and Lizzy stood in the ditch to let them pass.
Instead of being conducted by four men, as had happened when they went out of the village, the horses and carts were now accompanied by a body of from twenty to thirty, all of whom, as Stockdale perceived to his astonishment, had blackened faces.

Among them walked six or eight huge female figures, whom, from their wide strides, Stockdale guessed to be men in disguise.

As soon as the party discerned Lizzy and her companion four or five fell back, and when the carts had passed, came close to the pair.
'There is no walking up this way for the present,' said one of the gaunt women, who wore curls a foot long, dangling down the sides of her face, in the fashion of the time.

Stockdale recognized this lady's voice as Owlett's.
'Why not ?' said Stockdale.