They had evidently finished their drill, and were making their way to their homes.

This at least was satisfactory.

He would no longer risk their anger by disturbing them at their illegal practices, and had now only to fear the wrath which would be excited when they heard what had happened to the boy.
He started at a brisk run after them, and speedily came up to the last of the party.

They were for the most part men between twenty and thirty, rough and strongly built, and armed with billhooks and heavy bludgeons, two or three of them carrying guns.
One of them looked round on hearing footsteps approaching, and gave a sudden exclamation.

The rest turned, and on seeing Ned, halted with a look of savage and menacing anger on their faces.
"Who be'est, boy?
dang ee, what brings ye here ?" Ned gulped down the emotion of fear excited by their threatening appearance, and replied as calmly as he could: "I am sorry to say that I have had a struggle with a boy over by that rock yonder.