They know every foot of the morasses of this neighbourhood, and when they get beyond the point familiar to them will procure you two others to take their places.
It will need all your prudence and courage to get through, for the English men-at-arms will be scouring the country in groups of four, hunting all those they come across like wolves.

See, already!" and he pointed to the horizon; "they are scattering round the edge of the morass to inclose us here; but it is many miles round, and before tomorrow is gone not a man will be left here." When darkness fell, Archie, accompanied by Ronald and his guides, set out on his journey.

Alone he could never have found his way through the swamps, but even in the darkness his guides moved along quickly, following tracks known to them with the instinct of hounds; Archie kept close on their heels, as a step only a few inches from the track might plunge him in a deep morass, in which in a few seconds he would sink out of sight.

On nearing the edge of the bog the guides slackened their pace.

Motioning to Archie to remain where he was, they crept forward noiselessly into the darkness.
Not far off he could hear the calls of the English horsemen.