collected in a state of the wildest
excitement, those who had been wounded in the attack upon the cavern and
the bitter encounter between the allies for the most part declaring
their readiness to bear arms again.

"But you're not fit, Dan," said Mark, as he stood talking to the head
miner.

"Not fit, Master Mark?" cried the sturdy old fellow, showing his teeth;
"I'm going to show that gang of murderous wolves that I am very fit
indeed. My arm won't go very well, and I turn a bit sick and swimming
whenever I turn my head."

"Then you mustn't go," cried Mark.

"Mustn't, Master Mark," said the man grimly, "but I must. The lads'll
fight as well again with me there. And look here: I won't use my right
hand, and I won't turn my head; so I shall be all right, and I'm not
going to fight."

"Then what is the use of your coming?"

The man half shut one eye.

"Powder!" he whispered--"powder. You know what that will do, eh?"

"Yes, you can manage that, Dan," said Mark thoughtfully.

"Better than any one else, my lad, and that aren't boasting. Look here,
Master Mark; I've been having it over with the lads, and we all think
the same. The Darleys are about as bad a lot as ever stepped, and
they've done us a lot o' wrong, and deserved all we could give 'em, but
they aren't deserved this, and we are going to forgive 'em a bit. Who's
going to stand still and see a lot o' ragged rapscallions come and
attack our enemies, and try to take that castle? It aren't to be borne,
Master Mark; now is it?"

"No, Dan, it is not to be borne."

"Right, sir. I've heered everything now: how they'd took the castle,
and was wineing and beering theirselves, and going to stop there, when
Nick Garth--ah! I do mort'ly hate that fellow--sets fire to the place,
and burns 'em out. Makes me feel as if I could half forgive him all old
scores. My pick! It was a fine idea."

"A grand idea, Dan."

"And don't you see, Master Mark, as they missed getting Cliff Castle,
they'll just wait their time, and catch us napping, and get this place."

"Never," cried Mark hotly.

"Never, it is, Master Mark. Me and the lads'll blow the old place up
first."

"Mark, my boy," cried Sir Edward just then; "here, I want you."

The lad hurried to his father's side, and a strong hand was clapped upon
his shoulder, Sir Edward looking him full in the face, but with his eyes
thoughtful and fixed.

"No," he said suddenly, "they could not think that if you