d when you start on your way, I will
give you a pound or two to help you."

"Oh, as if I were a common wayside beggar. Comrade, this is too hard.
Can you not see that my beard is getting grizzled and grey?"

"Yes; but I do not see what that has to do with it."

"Think again, old comrade. Twelve brave and true men have I with me.
Take us as your gentlemen and men at arms to protect you and yours
against those who are unfriendly. You must have enemies."

Sir Morton started and glanced at his son, for these words touched a
spring in his breast. With thirteen fighting men to increase his little
force, what might he not do? The Edens' stronghold, with its regularly
coming-in wealth, must fall before him; and, once in possession, Sir
Edward Eden might petition and complain; but possession was nine points
of the law, and the king had enough to do without sending a force into
their wild out-of-the-way part of the world to interfere. Once he had
hold of the Black Tor, he could laugh at the law, and see the old enemy
of his house completely humbled.

Sir Morton hesitated and turned his head, to find his son watching him
keenly, while Captain Purlrose stood with his left hand resting on the
hilt of his sword, making the scabbard cock out behind, and lift up the
back of his ragged cloak, as with his right he twisted up and pointed
one side of his rusty-grey fierce moustache.

The man was watching Sir Morton keenly, and his big ears twitched, as he
tried to catch the whispered words which passed between father and son.

"What do you say, Ralph, lad? With the help of these men I could easily
make Eden bite the dust. Then the Black Tor would be mine, and
afterwards yours; with all the rich revenue to be drawn from the
lead-mine. It is very tempting, boy."

"Yes, father," said the boy hotly, and his face flushed as he spoke;
"but that's what it is--a miserable temptation. We'll humble the Edens,
and have the Black Tor and the lead-mine; but we'll win all with our
swords like gentlemen, or fail. We could not go and take the place with
a set of ruffians like those outside, and helped by such a man as yonder
bully. You couldn't do it, father. Say no."

"Hah! More insults," cried Purlrose, who had caught a word here and
there. "But no; lie still, good sword: he is a beardless boy, and the
son of the brave comrade I always honoured, whate'er my faults."

Ralph turned upon him angrily; but his father laid a hand upon