agged
back at dawn to the Castle to receive the punishment that his father
would measure out.

He was a little troubled about that, for he felt that it was possible
some objection might be raised by Mark Eden; and he was also a little
uneasy about the first encounter of the two little bands of men so
hostile to one another. But his followers were amenable to discipline,
and one and all so eager for the fray, that he soon forgot all about
these matters in the far greater adventure to come, and marched steadily
on, keeping a bright look out, till he was nearing the solitary rock.

"See any one, Nick?" he whispered to his head man.

"No, sir. All as still and lonesome as can be."

"Then we are first," whispered Ralph. "I am glad. We'll march close
up, and then crouch down round the stone till the others come."

Nick grunted; and they tramped softly on over the grass and heath, with
all looking grim and strange, the utter stillness of the night out there
adding to the solemnity of the scene.

But they had not taken half-a-dozen paces toward the block, seen dimly
against the starless sky, when there was a sharp chink, and a familiar
voice cried:

"Who goes there?"

"`Allies,'" said Ralph promptly.

"Halt!" cried the leader.

"Advance!" came back; and directly after, the two lads were face to
face, comparing notes.

"Began to think you were Purlrose's men," whispered Mark.

"And I that you had not come."

"Been here some time, and the lads are all lying down. Now then, what
are our plans? I want to get to work."

"March together in single file, about five yards apart, straight for the
cave. Get within fifty yards, halt, and let two advance softly to
reconnoitre."

"Can't do better," said Mark softly. "But we must keep very quiet, in
case any of them are out marauding."

"Yes, of course. When we get up to the mouth of the cave, we must halt
on one side, light our torches, and rush in. We must leave it to the
men then."

"Oh yes; they'll do it. They've all got their blood up. We must
succeed."

"But what about the torches?"

"Got plenty for both, and two men have got mine lanterns alight under
their gaberdines. Better pass round torches for your men now."

Ralph agreed that this would be best, and Mark summoned Dummy with a
faint bird-like chirrup, and made him bring the links.

Then at a word, Mark's men sprang up, and after marking down the spot
below the dimly-seen top of the mountai