The Black Tor Part 35

"I went in fifty yards or more, with Nick Garth," said Ralph, "and we had candles. We were looking for lead, but it was all stone sh.e.l.ls."

"Oh, there's no lead there," said Mark confidently. "We've got all the lead worth working at the Black Tor."

"Yes, I'm afraid so; but there's a warm spring of water in there, and from where we stopped, you could hear water running and falling, ever so far-off."

"But what was it like, as far as you went in?"

"Just as if the mountain had been cracked, and both sides of the crack matched, only sometimes they were two feet apart, and sometimes twenty or more, making big chambers."

"Yes; some of our mine's like that," said Mark thoughtfully. "I say, enemy: think they set any sentries?"

"No, I don't believe they would."

"Then we'll rout them out; and if we can't do that, we'll drive them farther in, and pile up big stones at the entrance, and starve them till they surrender."

"Yes," cried Ralph eagerly, as he looked at his companion with the same admiration Mark had displayed when he had proposed taking the torches.

"Capital: for the place is so big, that I don't believe we could find them all. Yours will be the way."

"Well, I think it is right," said Mark suddenly; "but we must catch old Purlrose to-night."

"We will if we can," said Ralph.

"Well then, that's all. It's as easy as easy. All we've got to do is to get our best men together, and meet--Ah! where shall we meet?"

"At Steeple Stone, half-way there. That will be about the same distance for you to come as for us."

"That's good," cried Mark gleefully. "But we must have a word to know each other by. What do you say to `foes?'"

"Oh, that won't do," said Ralph. "`Friends?'"

"But we're not friends; we're--we're--what are we."

"Allies," said Ralph quietly.

"Why not that, then? Yes, of course. `Allies.' Can't be better."

"`Allies,' then," said Ralph.

"Well, what next?"

"To get the stuff together to fight with," replied Ralph.

"What, the men? Yes, of course. Then we'd better see to it at once."

"Yes, in a very quiet way, so that no one knows," said Ralph.

"And meet at the Steeple Stone about half-an-hour after our people are gone to bed."

"And the first who are there to wait for the others."

"Oh, of course," cried Mark. "Fair play; no going first, and doing the work. That would mean a fresh quarrel."

"When I fight, I fight fair," said Ralph proudly.

"I didn't mean to doubt it," said Mark apologetically. "I say: this is more sensible than for us two to fight now."

"Think so?"

"Yes: oh yes; only, of course, our fight has to come. Yes, when these people are cleared off."

"We can't have three sets of enemies," said Ralph gravely; "and I can't help thinking that if we do not act, they will get more and more daring, and drive us out."

"Pooh!" said Mark defiantly.

"Ah, I laughed at the idea at first; but they might take Cliff Castle or Black Tor by surprise some night."

"Well, they might take Cliff Castle," said Mark, in rather a contemptuous tone, "but not the Black Tor. And they shan't even try to take either," he added quickly, as if repenting his words. "We'll surprise them, and to-night."

"One moment," said Ralph. "We must be careful, for it's quite possible that some of the ruffians may be out on an expedition, and if we met them in the dark, it might cause a serious mistake."

"We'll settle all that when we meet," said Mark. "`Allies,' then-- to-night."

"`Allies'--to-night," said Ralph; and after stiffly saluting, in the style taught by their fencing masters, the two lads separated, each making for his own home.

Mark's task proved easy. He went straight to the mine, descended, and found Dummy.

"Coming to go right through the cave beyond the big waterfall, Master Mark?" cried the lad eagerly.

"No," replied Mark shortly. "Where's your father?"

"Right away down the mine, in the new lead, Master Mark," said the lad in a disappointed tone. "Aren't you never coming to have a hunt?"

"Oh yes, some day."

"That's what you always say. There's lots to see and find out. You know where that water is."

"Yes: but never mind now."

"But, Master Mark, I'm sure that it comes from the river, where there's that sink-hole in the narrow, where you see the water turn round and round."

"Very likely; but here, I must see your father. Take a light, and go before me. Here, Dummy, are there plenty of torches?"

"Yes, Master Mark; but what do you want with torches?"

"Don't ask questions, sirrah."

"Very well, Master Mark," said the boy, so meekly that his young master was touched, and said gently: