go alone."

"Who, father? Where?" said Mark, staring.

"I've been thinking, boy," said Sir Edward. "We can make up a good
muster, but we ought to be as strong as we can, and it is only right to
give Sir Morton's poor fellows who are left a chance of striking a blow
for their master and young mistress. Would you mind riding over to the
enemy's camp, and asking all who can to come and join us in our
expedition this evening?"

"Mind? No, father: I should like to."

"Then go at once."

"Yes, father."

"And bring back with you all you can. If it's only four or five sturdy
fellows, it is worth while; and I hope they will be willing to come
under my command--no, this will be better: ask them if they will follow
you."

"I think I can bring them," cried Mark, flushing.

"Then off. Tell them we have plenty of arms."

Mark hurried away, gave Dummy orders to saddle the cob, and ran in and
up to his own room, whose door he opened softly, to start in surprise on
finding a nurse assisting Master Rayburn, and seated by the head of the
bed, fanning the heated brow of the poor disfigured lad, as he lay
muttering in delirium.

"You here, Mary," said Mark, in a sharp whisper.

"Of course she is, boy," cried the old man testily. "Woman's place--and
girls grow to women--look finer than a queen on a throne, seated by a
sick-bed."

"Yes," assented Mark. "How is he?"

"Couldn't be worse," said Master Rayburn. "There, go and beat the dogs,
and if one of them bites you, we'll make up another bed, and nurse you
too; won't we, Mary?"

"Oh, no, no, Mark dear; don't, pray don't you get hurt," whispered the
girl wildly.

"He won't get hurt much," said Master Rayburn. "Come to stay?"

"No," said Mark, as he made the old man's eyes twinkle by going on
tip-toe to the bedside, and gently taking Ralph's right hand which he
held for a few moments, and then laid it back.

"Needn't put it down in such a hurry, boy," whispered the old man.
"Didn't hurt you, did it?"

"Poor fellow! No," sighed Mark. "But I must go. Father has ordered me
to go down the river to the Cliff, to try and get all the Darley men
together to come and help in the attack."

"What!" cried Master Rayburn; "Sir Edward has told you to do that?"

"Yes," said Mark, flushing hotly. "Well, what have you to say to it?"

"Nothing," said the old man softly; "only, boy, that I wish you God
speed."

There was the clatter of hoofs heard through the open windo