For their sake--for their sake," he
added sadly to himself.

"Oh, I know it could be done," said Samson. "If Master Fred makes up
his mind to do it, and asks me to help him, it's as good as done. Hear
that, you ugly Coombeland ruffian?" he added in a whisper, as he pressed
his doubled first in the semi-darkness against his brother's nose.

"Just you wait till I get well," whispered back Nat, doubling his own
fist and holding it against Samson's nose in return.

"Yes, and just you wait till I get you well," whispered Samson. "I'd
give it to you now, only it would be like hitting at a bit o' clay.
Why, you're as soft as boiled bacon! I'd be ashamed to call myself a
man!"

"Just you say all that again when I get well," whispered Nat.

"Yes, that I will a hundred times over.--Yes, sir?"

"We must be going now, Samson. Leave what food you have."

"I stood it in the corner there, sir."

"And the flint, steel, tinder, and matches. I wish I had thought to
bring more candles. This one will not last very long."

"So you did, Master Fred. Leastwise, I did. There's five there, and
one before makes six."

"Hah! that's right," cried Fred, joyfully. "Then, now you can have a
light sometimes: and look here, Scar Markham--to-morrow I'll go and look
at the Rill caves, and see what can be done, so be ready to escape at a
moment's notice. We may come any time now. Good-bye, Sir Godfrey.
Lady Markham shall know that you and Scarlett are safe."

"It is compromising yourself, my boy," said Sir Godfrey; "but I cannot
say to you forbear."

"Good-bye!"

"God bless you, my lad! and may this war soon cease," added the knight
to himself, as his son followed their two visitors to the opening.

"Till we meet again, Scar Markham," whispered Fred, as Samson climbed
out first to reconnoitre.

"Till we meet again, Fred," said Scarlett, once more holding out his
hand.

"As friends?"

"As enemies in name. Thank you, for my father's sake."

"It's all clear, Master Fred," was whispered down the hole; and, after
another word or two of warning to be prepared for a sudden move, Fred
seized Samson's extended hand, leaped up out of the hole, and they made
their way back to camp unquestioned, while Scarlett Markham crept back
to his father's side, to sit there, listening to his breathing, and to
think of the possibility of escape to the cavern beneath Rill Head,
where perhaps they might end by obtaining a boat to go right away.