The heap of dry wood was then lighted, and ere long a great sheet of flame arose, the logs and the shingles of the roof caught, and ere many minutes the hut was a pile of fire.
"They're going to throw us in there, Hugh." "God's will be done, Master Rupert; but I should like to have died sword in hand." "And I too, Hugh.

I wish I could snatch at a weapon and die fighting; but this man holds my hands like a vise, and those heavy axes of theirs would make short work of us.

Well, the fire will not take an instant, Hugh; it will be a momentary death to be thrown into that mass of flame.

Say a prayer to God, Hugh, for those at home, for it is all up with us now." The blaze of fire had attracted other bodies of charcoal burners and others, and their captors only delayed to obtain as large a number of spectators as possible for their act of vengeance.
The fire was now at its height, and even the savage charcoal burners felt a grudging admiration for the calm demeanour, and fearless, if pale faces, with which these lads faced death.

There was, however, no change of purpose.