Frederick Marryat

“ The person, whoever it might have been, gave a loud cry, and fell at the threshold outside.
"I think that will do," said Humphrey; "we must not take more life than is necessary. I had rather that you had fired through his arm -- it would have disabled him, and that would have sufficed."
"Kill much better," said Pablo. "Corbould shot through leg, come again to rob; suppose shot dead, never rob more."
The dogs now flew to the back of the cottage, evidently pointing out that the robbers were attempting that side. Humphrey put his gun through the hole in the door, and discharged it. ”

“ He made Billy walk, and turned round to see what the men were about; they had arrived at where he had dug out the box, and were standing round the hole, evidently aware that it was no use following him. "Now," thought Humphrey, as he went along at a faster pace, "those fellows will wonder what I have been digging up. The villains little think that I know where to find them, and they have proved what they are by firing at me. Now, what must I do? They may follow me to the cottage, for I have no doubt that they know where we live, and that Edward is at the Intendant's. ”

“ Just as it was dark Pablo returned with a note from Edward saying that he would be over by ten o'clock, with a large party.
Humphrey had said in his letter that it would be better that any force sent by the Intendant should not arrive till after dark, as the robbers might be near and perceive them, and then they might escape; he did not therefore expect them to come till some time after dark. Humphrey was reading a book -- Pablo was dozing in the chimney-corner -- the two girls had retired into their room and had lain down on the bed in their clothes -- when the dogs both gave a low growl. ”

“ The Intendant handed three letters to Edward, by which it was evident that all the king's friends in England were of opinion that the time was not ripe for the attempt, and that it would be only a sacrifice to stir in the matter; that the Scotch army raised was composed of those who were the greatest enemies to the king, and that the best thing that could happen for the king's interest would be that they were destroyed by Cromwell ”

“ The robbers were all bound and guarded; and then, leaving them under the charge of Oswald and five of his men, Edward and Humphrey set off with seven more to Clara's cottage, to ascertain if there were any more to be found there. They arrived by two o'clock in the morning, and on knocking several times the door was opened and they seized another man, the only one who was found in it. ”