To most the scene was familiar, and therefore could have no charm of novelty.

To Potts, however, it was altogether new; but he was susceptible of few gentle impressions, and neither the tender beauty of the evening, nor the wooing loveliness of the spot, awakened any responsive emotion in his breast.

He was dead to every thing except the ruthless experiment about to be made.
Almost at the same time that Jem Device and his party reached the near bank of the stream, the beadle and the others appeared on the opposite side.

Little was said, but instant preparations were made for the ordeal.

Two long coils of rope having been brought by Baggiley, one of them was made fast to the right arm of the victim, and the other to the left; and this done, Jem Device, shouting to Sparshot to look out, flung one coil of rope across the river, where it was caught with much dexterity by the beadle.