"Where are we bound for, sir?" he inquired.
"I hardly know, Harry. Suppose we make for Ashford and catch the early coach to London? I have five or six pounds with me, and my watch is worth as much more."
"I doubt Ashford would be safe, Master Dick," he replied. "As like as not the news of our escape will be brought by the early coach, and you're well known in Ashford. If we make for London we'd best take another road. But, sir, what'll we do in London when we get there? I reckon them Bow Street runners, as they talks so much of, will soon run us to ground."
"We must get out of England as soon as possible, and to do that we shall have to enlist or go to sea. I think London will be a good place either to take the shilling or get a berth on board some ship."
"Surely you never means to go for a soldier, Master Dick?" cried Harry aghast.
"Better that than be tried for murder at next assizes," I answered; adding, "Unless you would rather go to sea?"
"Not I, sir," was the reply. "Taint of myself I'm thinkin'; it's you, Master Dick. But if so be as your mind is made up, I'm with you. I'd as lief be a soldier as anything."
"Then come along, Harry; we'll take 'the king's shilling' together. Now, which way had we better follow?"
"The Maidstone road, I think, sir. Yon's Sheldon wood, and the lane as skirts it leads into the highway near Squire Cotton's, about two mile from here."
"True; we cannot do better. Come, lad! it is close on eleven o'clock, and we must be far on our way by daybreak."