too
far away, and the air too misty, for him to observe the operations so
closely as he would have liked, and, curiosity and malicious pleasure
overcoming his prudence, he determined to set forth and watch from a
more convenient standpoint the mischief which he hoped was afoot.  But
wishing not to attract attention, he forbade his household to leave the
premises, issued by the back door, and slunk round the inside of one of
his high fences.

He had advanced about half-way to the Towers when he was startled to
hear shots behind him, from the direction of the village.  The sound
brought him to a sudden halt, and a sickening misgiving seized him.  Had
the firing begun in the village, there is little doubt that he would
have at once suspected the attack of whichears."

"Iss, and so say I," cried Tonkin.  "Delarousse telled me the self-same
story, but I didn' believe un; no, I couldn' believe as Maister John
were sech a 'nation rogue.  I must believe it, now Doubledick hev telled
us all.  Let un go, sir, and be-jowned to un."

Fierce cries of approval broke from the crowd, but the Squire held up
his hand for silence.

"Let me have a word, neighbours," he said. "We're Cornishmen, every man
of us, and good subjects of King George.  We can't allow a French
raiding party to arrest a man on English soil, whatever his character
may be.  'Tis flat treason; what do you say, Vicar?"

"I agree with you.  As a magistrate, neighbours, I say we must do our
duty."

"I won't go agen Squire and pa'son,"