Poor Bess had been crying bitterly, for by this time it was known that her father and Davies were in jail; though the others, being young and single men, had fled at once from the place, and escaped for the present.

As soon as Stephen entered, Bess threw herself on her knees at his feet, and looked up imploringly into his face.
'Oh, dear, good Stephen,' she cried, 'thee canst save father! I'll kneel here till thee has promised to save him.

Oh, don't bear any spite agen him, but forgive him and save him!' 'Get up, Bess,' said Stephen kindly; 'don't thee kneel down to a fellow like me.

I'll do anything for thy father; I've no spite agen him.' 'Oh, I knew thee would!' she said; 'thee'lt tell the justice thee never saw him there till the other folks came up from Botfield.

Tim says he didn't see anybody down in the pit, and he's promised not to swear to their names.