Ned Warbeck and one of the wood-cutters, with musket in hand, and finger on trigger, gently drew aside the leafy door, when they perceived the terrible couple lying amid bundles of hay and picked bones. A gun, loaded and cocked, was lying between them. Captain Jack opened his eyes, awoke less by the noise than by the vague uneasiness that must ever haunt the guilty. Seizing his gun he cried, “Help! Bates, help!” But Ned covered him with his musket, while one of the wood-cutters seized the gun, and two others rushing in, in another moment both the rascals were safely handcuffed. “Ned Warbeck,” said Captain Jack, “it was not right of you to betray your friends in this manner.” “Thank you,” Ned laughingly replied, “but I prefer such friends as you at a distance, anywhere except in our own neighbourhood.” The Captain cast an evil glance at Ned, and followed on to prison. No sooner did the law show itself stronger than Captain Jack’s roguery than the tongues of the people loosened, and singular revelations were made; the former related that several times during the hot days of summer Jack and his friends used to arrive by dozens, and shutting the gates of farms, they opened the doors leading into the cellars, and helped themselves to the farmers’ cider. Then stripping themselves of their clothing, converted thus the yard into a ball-room, where they performed the wild antics of the “beggar’s dance,” resembling some of the strange scenes described by travellers of what they had witnessed among certain tribes of African and South Sea Islanders. In other places they would make themselves quite at home, especially Captain Jack, for no sooner was his tall figure recognised, whether he was alone or accompanied by any of his friends, immediately all the servants, ploughmen, and shepherds assembled round their dangerous guest to attend upon his wants for fear of being shot. The tales told by these oppressed people revealed more than one hidden crime. To render his authority secure and to prevent desertion and treachery, Captain Jack had established among his regular followers a sort of bond of union secured by an oath of vengeance. Every member of his new gang convicted of having betrayed their associates, or of refusing an order issued by Captain Jack, was pitilessly massacred, and the executioners selected from among themselves. It was in this manner that a poor lad suffered for a crime against the association. He gave, thoughtlessly, no doubt, some wrong information respecting some farm they were going to attack. He was seized, and carried to the camp of Captain Jack. His accuser was no less than old Bates, who had stolen the sails of a windmill for some purpose, and the boy had made known this trick to Captain Jack. Some time afterwards the boy spoke rather freely of the projects of the gang upon the farm of a very poor man near by. Thereupon it was resolved he should die.