For they were too many for us, and we had no time even to hit out.
"Where is the captain ?" cried one of the men.
Just then up rode a man at sight of whom the blood tingled in all my veins.

I mean Captain Merriman.
I do not know if he recognised me at first, for he scarcely gave us a look.
"Away with them to your master," said he, riding on, "and see they give you not the slip." So we were marched off, a pretty end to our jaunt.

And to make our plight worse, Sir Ludar whispered to me as we went along, "Unless I mistake, the master of these men is my guardian, Sir William Carleton." Sure enough it was.
The house we were conducted to stood in a large park with a view far over the river, perhaps the fairest view in England.

Yet I had no mind just then to admire it; for the presence of that hated horseman made me forget all except one fair face, which I seemed to see as I had seen it that day at Finsbury Fields.

He rode forward as we entered the park and bade the men bring us safely in.
"Come, step out," said one of the men, giving me a flick with his riding-whip, "we have been waiting for you these three weeks, my gentlemen; and I promise you a warm welcome from his worship.