It was a very secure building, with
stone casements and strongly barred doors; but if a boy could get
through the pantry window, he could admit the others readily. How long
it would be before the attempt was made Stephen could not tell, but it
was already late, and Black Thompson had left him hurriedly. But at
least it must be an hour or two nearer midnight, and all hopes of rescue
and defence rested upon him and Martha only.
Martha was sitting by the fire knitting, and Bess Thompson was pinning
on her shawl to go home. Poor Bess! Even in his excitement Stephen felt
for her; but he dared not utter a word till she was gone. But then
Martha could not credit his hurried tidings and directions, until she
had been herself to the shaft to see the feeble gleam of Tim's lamp, and
hear the sound of his voice; for as soon as she rattled the railings he
spoke again.
'Be sharp!' he cried. 'I'm not afeared; but I can't stay here where
little Nan died. I'll go back to the pit, and wait till morning. Be
sharp!'
There was no need after that to urge Martha to hasten. After throwing a
shawl over her head, she started off for Longville with the swiftness of
a hare; and was soon past the engine-house, and threading her way
cautiously through Botfield, where she dreaded to be discovered as she
passed the lighted windows, or across the gleam of some open door.
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