The horsemen were dressed, as was Harry himself, in trowsers and shirts, with old slouch hats, and each of them had a cudgel in his hand.

As they came galloping up through the trees they were as uncanny and unwelcome a set of visitors as any man was ever called on to receive.
Harry necessarily stayed his work, and stood still to bear the brunt of the coming attack; but Jacko went on with his employment faster than ever, as though a troop of men in the dark were nothing to him.
Jerry Brownbie was the first to speak.

"What's this you're up to, Heathcote?
Firing our grass?
It's arson.

You shall swing for this." "I'll take my chance of that," said Harry, turning to his work again.
"No, I'm blessed if you do.

Ride over him, Bos, while I stop these other fellows." The Brownbies had been aware that Harry's two boundary riders were with him, but had not heard of the arrival of Medlicot and the other man.