and rend you."

"But I did not go on purpose to do good to him, father. I meant to
catch him, tie him hand and foot, and bring him here to do what you
liked with him."

"Never mind: you acted bravely; and he like a roused wolf's cub, as Nick
Garth called him."

"Felt humbled," said Ralph thoughtfully.

"Yes, my boy. Well, it's all over; but don't go risking your life again
for your enemies. We don't want to quarrel with them unless they force
it on, and I'm afraid they are going to, for I believe Eden has enlisted
that gang of ruffians in his service. I can't hear that they were seen
to go away."

Mark Eden told his father too, about the incident, and Sir Edward looked
very grave.

"As the lad was a Darley, matters are different," he said at last, "and
I don't like your conduct over the matter, Mark. To begin with--well,
to go all through the business, you did wrong."

"Yes, father," said the lad bitterly.

"It was not right for you, a young scholar, and a gentleman, to go upon
their land and invite a quarrel."

"But I wanted the young ravens, father."

"Yes. And they want my lead-mine; and if young Darley comes to try and
take it, I hope you'll break his neck."

"Yes, father."

"But you did not come out well, my boy," said Sir Edward irritably.
"The young cub has some good in him, and he behaved splendidly."

"Yes, father; that made me feel so mad against him, and all the time I
was feeling as if I would have given anything to shake hands, for he was
very brave."

"Well, it would have been, if he had not been a Darley."

"And, of course, I could not shake hands and say thank you to a boy like
him."

"Shake hands--an Eden with a Darley! Impossible, my boy, impossible.
There, it's all over, and you must never give them the opportunity of
insulting you again. That family has done us endless injury."

"And we've done them a deal, too, father."

"Yes, my boy, as much as ever we could. I mean in the old days; for I'm
beginning to think that it's best to let them go their way, if they let
us go ours."

"Yes, father."

"I wish they lived on the other side of the county, instead of so near.
But there, promise me that you will not run foul of any of the savages
again."

"Yes, father, I promise you," said the lad quietly.

"By the way, Mark, you say young Darley had half-a-dozen ruffianly
fellows with him, and they wanted to stone you, and then throw you off
the cliff?"

"Yes, father."