'_Two_ gamekeepers--we are safe--thank Heaven!' and she began to call on Dykes by name.
I only remember, feeling myself at liberty--running a few steps--seeing Dykes' white furious face--clinging to his arm, with which he was bringing his gun to a level, and saying, 'Don't fire--they'll murder us if you do.' Madame, screaming lustily, ran up at the same moment.
'Run on to the gate and lock it--I'll be wi' ye in a minute,' cried he to the other gamekeeper; who started instantly on this mission, for the three ruffians were already in full retreat for the carriage.
Giddy--wild--fainting--still terror carried me on.
'Now, Madame Rogers--s'pose you take young Misses on--I must run and len' Bill a hand.' 'No, no; you moste not,' cried Madame.

'I am fainting myself, and more villains they may be near to us.' But at this moment we heard a shot, and, muttering to himself and grasping his gun, Dykes ran at his utmost speed in the direction of the sound.
With many exhortations to speed, and ejaculations of alarm, Madame hurried me on toward the house, which at length we reached without further adventure.
As it happened, my father met us in the hall.

He was perfectly transported with fury on hearing from Madame what had happened, and set out at once, with some of the servants, in the hope of intercepting the party at the park-gate.
Here was a new agitation; for my father did not return for nearly three hours, and I could not conjecture what might be occurring during the period of his absence.

My alarm was greatly increased by the arrival in the interval of poor Bill, the under-gamekeeper, very much injured.
Seeing that he was determined to intercept their retreat, the three men had set upon him, wrested his gun, which exploded in the struggle, from him, and beat him savagely.

I mention these particulars, because they convinced everybody that there was something specially determined and ferocious in the spirit of the party, and that the fracas was no mere frolic, but the result of a predetermined plan.
My father had not succeeded in overtaking them.