They were passing the village of Hollowbank.

Fires were lit on the road, and dark figures were crouching around them.

Robbie was too drowsy to ask the meaning of these sights, and he soon slept once more.
When he awoke again, he thought he caught the echo of the word "Wythburn" as having been spoken behind him; but whether this were more than a delusion of the ear, such as sometimes comes at the moment of awakening, he could not be sure until (now fully awake) he distinctly heard the Cumbrian use the name of Ralph Ray.
Robbie's curiosity was instantly aroused, and in the effort to shake off the weight of his drowsiness he made a backward movement of the head, which was perceived by the strangers.

He was conscious that one of the men had risen, and was leaning over to the driver to ask who he himself might be, and where he was going.
"A country lad of some sort," said Jim.

"I know nought, no mair." "I thought maybe he were a friend," said the stranger, with questionable veracity.
The conversation thereupon proceeded with unrestrained vigor.
"It baffles me, his going to Carlisle.