s."

"Ah! as I did," said Mark grimly.

"And when it was too late, I saw my mistake, for they seized and bound
me, and," added the lad bitterly, "they have got my sword and belt."

Ralph walked by his companions almost in silence the rest of the time
that they were together, both Mark and his sister appearing troubled by
his presence, and it seemed a great relief to all when a path was
reached which would enable Ralph to reach Cliff Castle, the others
having some distance farther to go to reach an open part passable by
their steeds.

"I thank you, Master Mark Eden," he said quietly; and then, raising his
cap to Mary Eden, he leapt over the stones which led to the top of a
slope, and soon disappeared from their sight.

"What were you thinking, Mark?" said Mary, breaking the silence at last.

"That this would not be a bad place if we had no enemies. What were you
thinking?"

"Plenty of things," said the girl sadly.

"Well, tell me some."

"I'm tired, and hungry, and thirsty. It will soon be dark. Father will
be angry because we have been so long; and I am getting frightened."

"What of?" said Mark sharply.

"Of meeting with the robbers again."

"I should almost like to," cried Mark fiercely.

"Oh Mark!" cried the girl in dismay.

"Well, if you were not here," he said, with a laugh.

"It's getting too bad. Once upon a time there was only the Darleys to
mind. Now these people--this Captain Purlrose and his men--seem to
belong to the land, and father will not fight them. Oh, if I only were
master, what I would do! There, canter, and let's get home. I want to
think."

Home was reached, and Sir Edward made acquainted with the encounter, at
which he frowned, but said very little that night, except once, when he
suddenly broke out petulantly:

"It seems, Mark, as if you were always running against this boy of
Darley's. Have the goodness in future to go some other way."

CHAPTER NINETEEN.

A COUNCIL OF WAR.

"How can I help it?" said Mark one morning, as he was sauntering down by
the river. "I did not mean to meet him, and here he is again. Hallo!
he has got a fresh sword."

The lad instinctively clapped his hand to his side, to feel if he had
his own buckled on, though of late, consequent upon the troubled state
of the country round, he had never thought of stirring without it.

"Mark Eden!" said Ralph to himself, as he caught sight of his enemy.
"Then I suppose now it is going to be o