as the last light's out."

"I shall be there, Master Mark," replied the old miner; and the two lads
returned to daylight, along the passages sparkling with crystals and
bits of ore.

Meanwhile, Ralph was as busy arranging with the retainers at Cliff
Castle, and as soon as he had taken Nick Garth into his confidence, that
gentleman lay down on the ground, and hid his face.

"Why, what does that mean?" cried the lad.

"Couldn't help it, sir. 'Bliged to, or I should have shouted for joy.
Get seven more? Have a dozen, sir, or twenty. Every man-jack'll want
to go."

"No: seven," said Ralph firmly. "There'll be nine from the Black Tor,
so we shall be eighteen."

"What! nine o' them coming to help, Master Ralph!" cried Nick, whose jaw
dropped in his astonishment.

"Yes: they are as much at enmity with the rascals as we are."

"But, Master Ralph--"

"Now, no arguing, Nick; do as I tell you. Get Ram Jennings, and six men
who have been injured by the gang, and I'll have swords and pikes ready
at ten. Not a word to a soul."

"Isn't the chief coming?"

"No: I am the chief to-night, and my father will not know."

"But what'll he say to me?"

"Nothing. I take all the blame."

"But he'll be mad about our going with a lot o' Black Torers."

"I tell you I am answerable for everything."

"Yes, but--"

"Look here, Nick: do you want to rout out Captain Purlrose and his
gang?"

"Do I want to, Master Ralph? Do I want to get his head under a stone,
and sarve it like I would a nut? Yes, I doos."

"Then pick the men. Bind them to be silent, and meet me as soon as the
lights are all out. Will you do this?"

"Won't I?" said the man exultantly; "and won't we?--Master Ralph, sir, I
am proud on you.--Well, this is going to be a treat! But, say, Master
Ralph, will them Edens fight 'longside of us without being nasty?"

"Yes, because it's against a common enemy," said the lad.

"Common? They just are, sir. Commonest muck o' men. Fit for nothing
but putting under ground. Why, how I should like to take my old mother
with us, and let her loose at that there captain. I wouldn't give much
for his chance. Shall I tell her?"

"No!" cried Ralph. "Not a soul. Everything must be done in secret, and
the rascals up at Ergles taken by surprise."

"You trust me, Master Ralph," said the man; "and when Master Captain
Purlrose finds who's come, he will be surprised. We'll hang him for a
scarecrow at once, of cours