agamuffin as
this, with his coarse, bloated features, and disgraceful rags and dirt."

But the next minute his thoughts took a different turn.

"If what the man says be true, father will be only too glad to help an
old brother-officer in misfortune, and be sorry to see him in such a
plight."

With the frank generosity of youth, then, he softened his manner toward
his companion, as they slowly climbed upward, the great beeches which
grew out of the huge cracks and faults of the cliff shading them from
the sun.

"So this is the way?" cried the man.

"Yes: the castle is up there," and Ralph pointed.

"What! in ruins?" cried the captain.

"Ruins? No!" cried Ralph. "Those stones are natural; the top of the
cliff. Our place is behind them. They do look like ruins, though."

"Hah! But what an eagle's nest. No wonder I find an eaglet on my way."

Ralph winced, for the man clapped a dirty hand upon his shoulder, and
gripped him fast, turning the lad into a walking-staff to help him on
his road.

"Have you come far this morning?" said Ralph, to conceal his disgust.

"Ay, miles and miles, over stones and streams, and in and out among
mines and holes. We were benighted, too, up yonder on the mountain."

"Hill," said Ralph; "we have no mountains here."

"Hills when you're fresh, lad; mountains when you're footsore and weary.
But we stumbled upon a niche, in a bit of a slope near the top, and
turned out the bats and foxes, and slept there."

"Where?" cried Ralph quickly. "Was there a little stream running
there--warm water?"

"To be sure there was. Hard stones, and warm water: those were our bed
and beverage last night."

"I know the place. Darch Scarr."

"Fine scar, too, lad. Been better if it had been healed up, with a door
to keep out the cold wind. Oh! so this is where my old comrade lives,"
he added, as he came in sight of an arched gateway, with embattled top
and turrets, while through the entry, a tree-shaded courtyard could be
seen. "And a right good dwelling too. Come on, brave boys. Here's
rest and breakfast at last."

"And I hope you'll go directly after," thought Ralph, as he led the way
into the courtyard, and paused at a second entrance, at the top of a
flight of stone steps, well commanded by loopholes on either side. Then
aloud:

"Will you wait here a minute, while I go and tell my father?"

"Yes: tell him his old brother-officer is here."

"I did not catch your name when you