ly dark, and as they approached
the hut sounds of laughter and revelry were heard.

"They are celebrating their success in a carouse," Geoffrey said. "We
shall catch them nicely in a trap."

When they came close, a man who was sitting just at the low mouth of the
hut suddenly sprang to his feet and shouted, "Who goes there?" He had
apparently been placed as sentry, but had joined in the potations going
on inside, and had forgotten to look round from time to time to see that
none were approaching.

At his challenge the whole party rushed forward, and as they reached the
hut the men from within came scrambling out, sword in hand. For two or
three minutes there was a sharp fight, and had the constables been alone
they would have been defeated, for they were outnumbered and the pirates
were desperate.

The heavy clubs of the armourers decided the fight. One or two of the
band alone succeeded in breaking through, the rest were knocked down and
bound; not, however, until several severe wounds had been inflicted on
their assailants.

When the fray was over, it was found that nine prisoners had been
captured. Some of these were stunned by the blows which the smiths had
dealt them, and two or three were badly wounded; all were more or less
injured in the struggle. When they recovered their senses they were made
to get on their feet, and with their hands tied securely behind them
were marched between a double line of their captors off the marsh.

"Thanks for your services," the justice said when they had gained the
place where they had left their horses. "Nine of my men shall tie each
one of these rascals to their stirrups by halters round their necks, and
we will give them a smart run into Richmond, where we will lodge them in
the jail. Tomorrow is Sunday; on Monday they will be brought before me,
and I shall want the evidence of Master Walter Fletcher and of those who
were in the boat with him as to what took place on the river. Methinks
the evidence on that score, and the resistance which they offered to us
this evening, will be sufficient to put a halter round their necks; but
from what I have heard by the letter which the Lord Mayor sent me, there
are others higher in rank concerned in the affair; doubtless we shall
find means to make these ruffians speak."

Accordingly, at the justice's orders, halters were placed round the
necks of the prisoners, the other ends being attached to the saddles,
and the party set off a