little line of light and smoke running over the stone
paving of the bridge, and with a yell of horror, they turned and fled
hurriedly back and down the slope.

"Don't look!" yelled Dummy, forcing Mark aside, when the flash brought
the castle and summit of the Black Tor into full view; then there was an
awful muffled roar, which went echoing away, and as it died out, the two
lads dashed across the bridge to the head of the zigzag descent, to make
out by hearing that the enemy were in full retreat.

"I think that settled 'em," said Dummy quietly. "You did it fine,
Master Mark."

"Hoi! Who's there?" cried a voice behind them.

"Dummy Rugg, father."

"And you, my boy? Thank Heaven! I was afraid something was wrong."

"Then it was you two with my powder," cried another voice out of the
darkness.

"Yes, Dan Rugg, and a splendid use they made of it," cried Sir Edward.
"Well done, my lads. But come into shelter; they surprised us, with
everything left open. We must lock the stable door now. Think they'll
come again, Rugg?"

"Nay, Sir Edward; not to-night. Those explosions will bring our lads up
to see what's the matter."

"Well, secure the gates as we go in."

Dan Rugg was right. Within half-an-hour a dozen men had come up and
been admitted, ready to meet the enemy should he return, but the silence
up at the Black Tor was not disturbed again that night.

"Out of revenge for you boys' attack," said Sir Edward, when he had
heard his son's account of their proceedings in the mine, and Dummy's
clever thought about the powder. "It might have meant the loss of this
place. But there must be an end to it now. You lads were so handy with
the powder-bags that you shall try your hands upon that wasps' nest, for
I can't rest now till I've had it well burnt out. Pity more powder was
not used this time. I don't believe they were more than singed, and
half my windows were smashed."

"But if we had used more powder, father," said Mark, smiling, "we might
have knocked down the place."

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR.

AN ENEMY IN DISTRESS.

The rattling of a handful of tiny pebbles took Mark Eden to his window
that morning--for it was beginning to grow grey in the east when he went
to his bed, Sir Edward insisting upon his going, and announcing that he
was going to keep watch with three men.

Mark pleaded for permission to join in the vigil, but Sir Edward firmly
ordered him to go and take proper rest; so he went, fe