On the first alarm Abel had flown to a small window whence he could reconnoitre those below, and he now returned with a face white with terror, to say that a party of arquebussiers, with the sheriff at their head, were without, and that some of the men were provided with torches.
"They have discovered my evasion, and are come in search of me," observed the abbot rising, but without betraying any anxiety.

"Do not concern yourselves further for me, my good friends, but open the door, and deliver me to them." "Nah, nah, that we winnaw," cried Hal o' Nabs, "yo're neaw taen yet, feyther abbut, an' ey knoa a way to baffle 'em.

If y'on let him down into t' river, Ebil, ey'n manage to get him off." "Weel thowt on, Nab," cried the miller, "theawst nah been mey mon seven year fo nowt.

Theaw knoas t' ways o' t' pleck." "Os weel os onny rotten abowt it," replied Hal o' Nabs.

"Go down to t' grindin'-room, an ey'n follow i' a troice." And as Abel snatched up the light, and hastily descended the steps with Paslew, Hal whispered in Dorothy's ears-- "Tak care neaw one fonds that chilt, Dolly, if they break in.