Ned’s hands were swollen and stiff, and the man was not gentle as he replaced the cord bindings with a hangman’s belt then secured the boy’s elbows to his sides and transferred his wrists to the attached double cuff at the front. Similar leather straps secured his ankles, rendering Ned completely helpless.
“Now, then, I’m goin’ ter give yer summat ter eat an’ drink.” He lifted Ned to a sitting position and leered into the frightened boy’s face. “Yer can try yellin’, but I’ll tell yer wot’ll ’appen. Fust, I’ll stop yer gob wi’ these.” He held up some rags. “Then I’ll lam yer, an’ yer’ll get nought ter eat or drink. Be’ave yersel’ an’ I’ll go easy wi’ yer.” He laughed. “Ern’s goin’ ter kill yer little mate when ’e ’as a chance—’is jaw’s broke, an’ ’e’s sick as a dog over it. Mood ’e’s in, ’
