The four in advance went on, constantly looking back; the four in the rear came closing up.
When they all ranged out from the narrow track upon the open slope of the heath, and this order was maintained, let him diverge as he would to either side, there was no longer room to doubt that he was beset by these fellows.

He stopped, as a last test; and they all stopped.
'Why do you attend upon me in this way ?' he asked the whole body.

'Are you a pack of thieves ?' 'Don't answer him,' said one of the number; he did not see which.
'Better be quiet.' 'Better be quiet ?' repeated Neville.

'Who said so ?' Nobody replied.
'It's good advice, whichever of you skulkers gave it,' he went on angrily.

'I will not submit to be penned in between four men there, and four men there.