noon
`` We must detain you , my lad , '' observed one of the magistrates , `` without you can procure a sufficient bail for your appearance as witness on the trial . '' I replied that I knew of no one except my master , Mr Drummond , and my schoolmaster ; and had no means of letting them know of my situation . The magistrate then directed the officer to go down by the first Brentford coach , acquaint Mr Drummond with what had passed , and that the lighter would remain in charge of the river police until he could send hands on board of her ; and I was allowed to sit down on the bench behind the bar . It was not until past noon that Mr Drummond , accompanied by the Dominie , made his appearance . To save time , the magistrates gave them my deposition to read ; they put in bail , and I was permitted to leave the court . We went down by the coach , but as they went inside and I was out , I had not many questions asked until my arrival at Mr Drummond 's house , when I gave them a detailed account of all that had happened . `` Proh !