Next moment we were both groping downstairs , leaving the candle by the empty chest ; and the next we had opened the door and were in full retreat . We had not started a moment too soon . The fog was rapidly dispersing ; already the moon shone quite clear on the high ground on either side ; and it was only in the exact bottom of the dell and round the tavern door that a thin veil still hung unbroken to conceal the first steps of our escape . Far less than half-way to the hamlet , very little beyond the bottom of the hill , we must come forth into the moonlight . Nor was this all , for the sound of several footsteps running came already to our ears , and as we looked back in their direction , a light tossing to and fro and still rapidly advancing showed that one of the newcomers carried a lantern . `` My dear , '' said my mother suddenly , `` take the money and run on . I am going to faint . '' This was certainly the end for both of us , I thought . How I cursed the cowardice of the neighbours ; how I blamed my poor mother for her honesty and her greed , for her past foolhardiness and present weakness ! We were just at the little bridge , by good fortune ; and I helped her , tottering as she was , to the edge of the bank , where , sure enough , she gave a sigh and fell on my shoulder . I do not know how I found the strength to do it at all , and I am afraid it was roughly done , but I managed to drag her down the bank and a little way under the arch . Farther I could not move her , for the bridge was too low to let me do more than crawl below it . So there we had to stay -- my mother almost entirely exposed and both of us within earshot of the inn . 5 The Last of the Blind Man MY curiosity , in a sense , was stronger than my fear , for I could not remain where I was , but crept back to the bank again , whence , sheltering my head behind a bush of broom , I might command the road before our door . I was scarcely in position ere my enemies began to arrive , seven or eight of them , running hard , their feet beating out of time along the road and the man with the lantern some paces in front . Three men ran together , hand in hand ; and I made out , even through the mist , that the middle man of this trio was the blind beggar . The next moment his voice showed me that I was right . `` Down with the door ! '' he cried . `` Aye , aye , sir ! ''
answered two or three ; and a rush was XXXXX upon the Admiral Benbow , the lantern-bearer following ; and then I could see them pause , and hear speeches passed in a lower key , as if they were surprised to find the door open .
conceal crept exposed fell hung know made run shone stay