I had no doubt, in my own mind, that it was a pressgang, in which case their object was to take us, not to kill us.

And, thinking it over since, I have thought it possible that the treacherous old miller may have signalled them by a light in the top of the mill, which would be seen a very long way.
I peeped out of the window.

Three men with muskets and cutlasses stood there watching it.

We were trapped of a surety.

Carette and Sercq seemed to swing away out of sight, and visions of the routine and brutality of the King's service loomed up very close in front.
We had no weapons except my sailor's knife, which would be little use against muskets and cutlasses.