This advice was at once adopted, and moving forward under the ’Squire’s guidance as noiselessly as Indians, the whole party secreted themselves in ambush, within shooting distance of the horse, which was hid away in a thicket of bushes so nicely, that it was a mere accident the ’Squire discovered him.  Here they remained in whispered silence for several hours, until some time in the afternoon, and were about to despair of seeing the culprit, when their attention was directed by Mr. Mandeville, who had kept a sharp look out, to a man descending from a thick, bushy topped tree.  He was a good way off, and they could not distinguish his features; but he paused and looked around in all directions, as if to satisfy himself that there was no one near to observe his motions; then going to a large tree, and taking another look around to be sure of safety, he removed some bark from its base, which was very dextrously fitted to its place, and revealed a large hollow caused by the decay of the inner portions of the tree, from which he drew forth a bag of oats, and, cautiously approaching the horse, gave him a mess.

“Now is our time!” whispered the ’Squire.  “Two of you go on either side so as to cut off his retreat, while Mandeville and I march directly upon him.  You, Jake, look out for, and take charge of the horse.  Move rapidly, but with as little noise as possible.  Strike out!”

With the concluding words all five rose from their hiding-place and proceeded to execute the parts assigned them.

Duffel, whose senses were quickened by fear, heard the breaking of a small stick under the tread of one of the party, and looking out, saw his danger; for he recognized his pursuers, though they had not, as yet, ascertained who he was.  In a moment he decided upon his course of action, which was to flee for life; and, mounting the horse, which he had in preparation for any emergency, he bounded away at as rapid a rate as he could force the animal into going.

The ’Squire called out to him to stop; but he seemed not to hear.

“Stop!” repeated the ’Squire, “stop, or I’ll shoot you!”

Still he heeded not the command or the warning, but made only the greater exertions to get out of reach of gun-shot and make his escape.

Without losing more time, the ’Squire leveled his rifle and fired.  The rider tottered for a moment and then fell from his seat.  In a minute or two he was surrounded by his pursuers.

“You have killed me, ’Squire,” were his first words, as that gentleman came up.

“Well, why did you not stop; I should not have fired if you had done so.”

“I did not wish to be taken alive.”

At this juncture Mr. Mandeville came round where he had a view of the thief’s face, and, with unfeigned horror and amazement, he recognized him, and exclaimed: 

“Duffel!”

“Yes, Mandeville,” said Duffel, “it is I, and there is Tom, your horse.”