"Ay, lad, it's me. I was coming home from Stilbro' market, and just as I got to the middle of the moor, and was whipping on as swift as the wind (for these, they say, are not safe times, thanks to a bad government!), I heard a groan. I pulled up. Some would have whipt on faster; but I've naught to fear that I know of. I don't believe there's a lad in these parts would harm me--at least, I'd give them as good as I got if they offered to do it. I said, 'Is there aught wrong anywhere?' ''Deed is there,' somebody says, speaking out of the ground, like. 'What's to do? Be sharp and tell me,' I ordered. 
"Ay, lad, it's me. I was coming home from Stilbro' market, and just as I got to the middle of the moor, I heard a groan. Some would have whipt on faster; but I pulled up and said, 'Is there aught wrong anywhere?' ''Deed is there,' somebody says, speaking out of the ground, like. 