the boy's
shoulder, and pressed it hard.

"Right, Ralph, lad," he said warmly, and he looked proudly in the boy's
eyes. "I could not do it in that way."

"Hah!" ejaculated the lad, with a sigh of content.

"No, Purlrose," continued Sir Morton. "I shall not avail myself of your
services. Go into the hall and refresh yourself and your men. Come to
me afterward, and I will help you as I said."

"With a mouthful of bread, and a few pence, and after all this weary
journey across these wild moors. But I see: it is all through the words
of this beardless boy. Suppose I tell you that, now I have come, I mean
to stay?" he added threateningly.

"Shall I get the men together, father?" said Ralph quickly.

"No, boy, there is no need," said Sir Morton firmly. "I am not afraid
of Michael Purlrose's threats."

"What!" cried the man. "You do not know me yet."

"Better than you know yourself, sir," said Sir Morton, rising. "That is
the way to the hall. Have the goodness to go first."

The captain threw his cloak back over his right shoulder, slapped his
right hand heavily upon his rusty breast-plate, and then, with a
flourish, caught at the hilt of his sword, and again half drew it from
its sheath, to stand scowling at Ralph, the intentness of his gaze
seeming to affect his eyes, so that they began to lean towards each
other, as if for help, till his look became a villainous squint. Then,
as neither father nor son quailed before him, he uttered a loud "Hah!"
thrust back his sword, and strode with a series of stamps to the door,
his high, buff-leather boots rustling and creaking the while.

There he faced round.

"I give you one more chance, Morton Darley," he cried. "Yes or no?"

"No," said Sir Morton firmly.

"One moment before it is too late. Are we to be friends or foes?"

"Neither," shouted Ralph quickly.

"Yes, boy, one or the other. You, Morton Darley, will you take me into
your service, or do you drive me into going straight to your rival and
enemy, who will jump at my offer, and pay me better than I could expect
of you?"

"Go where you please, sir," said Sir Morton.

"Ah, you drive me to it, when I would have been your friend. There, it
must be so; but don't blame me when you are humbled in the dust."

"Why, if you go there," cried Ralph, "Sir Edward Eden will make his men
disarm your crew of ragged Jacks, and set you all to work in his mine."

"What! Never. Now, Darley, once more--friend