The smugglers having agreed how to dispose of Chater, they all, with the exception of the Millses, set out to take him and dispatch him at Harris's Well, as being in their way towards their respective homes, and therefore not likely to be any hindrance to them on their journey.
Chater was then set on Tapner's horse, and taken towards the well, Tapner whipping him over the face and eyes, causing his wounds to bleed copiously, and swearing at the same time, that " if he blooded his saddle, he would destroy him that moment, and send his soul to h_ll."
At the dead of the night, and being so near the middle of it that it was uncertain whether it was Wednesday night or Thursday morning, they arrived at the well. The well was between twenty and thirty feet deep, and fenced round to prevent cattle falling in. Being come up to the fence, they dismounted Chater ; and Tapner, taking a cord from his pocket, made a noose at one end, and fastened it round Chater's neck. They bade him get over the fence to the well. The poor man observing an opening, where a pale or two had been broken away, made an attempt to get through, but, being in the opinion of the smugglers so heinous an offender, this favour was too great to be allowed him, and they compelled him, weak as he was, his wounds gaping, and being ready to faint -
