All these things I saw without then knowing that I saw them, for I was in an agony of apprehension. But beginning to perceive that the handcuffs were not for me, and that the military had so far got the better of the pie as to put it in the background, I collected a little more of my scattered wits.

     "Would you give me the time?" said the sergeant, addressing himself to Mr. Pumblechook, as to a man whose appreciative powers justified the inference that he was equal to the time.

     "It's just gone half past two."

     "That's not so bad," said the sergeant, reflecting; "even if I was forced to halt here nigh two hours, that'll do. How far might you call yourselves from the marshes, hereabouts? Not above a mile, I reckon?"

     "Just a mile," said Mrs. Joe.

     "That'll do. We begin to close in upon 'em about dusk. A little before dusk, my orders are. That'll do."

     "Convicts, sergeant?" asked Mr. Wopsle, in a matter-of-course way.