irits, feeling
as they did that at last the petty war was to be brought to a
conclusion.

The ways through the old galleries and chambers of the mine were
traversed with the men talking and laughing, and reminding one another
of this or that particular working where the lead ore was rich; and
Dummy strode in front, bearing his lantern well, and his importance ill.
For he was to all intents and purposes the originator and head man of
the little campaign, till suddenly casting his eyes sidewise he caught
sight of Mark looking at him in an amused way, which discharged all his
conceit upon the instant, as he flushed up and changed back to the old
Dummy at once.

"You shouldn't laugh at a poor fellow, Master Mark," he remonstrated in
a whisper.

"Then you shouldn't strut along like a game-cock just come in for his
spring feathers."

"I didn't," said Dummy angrily.

"You did. But go on. I will not laugh at you any more."

A complete change came over the boy, and he went on gravely enough after
the reproof, till, to the surprise of all, they were led into the
chamber hung with the veils of stalactite, where Dummy stopped and
looked round.

"Well, my lad, what does this mean?"

Dummy smiled in a rather imbecile way, and his father nudged him heavily
with his elbow.

"Don't you hear what Sir Edward says? What you come here for? Lost
your way?"

"No, I aren't lost my way, father."

"Then go back and show us. Where is it? Down by the old workings?"

"Nay, this is right," said the boy, in high glee at his father's puzzled
look; and giving Sir Edward a wave of the hand, he went on to the end,
and passed behind the stony veil dropping from near the roof.

Sir Edward, uttered an ejaculation, and turned to his son.

"You have been by here, then?" he cried.

"Yes, father; this is the way," replied Mark. "Follow him."

"No, keep with him yourself," said Sir Edward. "You are the guides.
But be silent now."

"There is no need yet," replied Mark; "we have a tremendously long way
to go yet."

"Let there be silence," said Sir Edward sternly. "For aught we know,
these men, if the grottoes do communicate, may be exploring on their own
account, and sound runs curiously along these passages."

Mark accepted the rebuke, and joined Dummy at once, the rest of the
party followed, and at a word from Sir Edward, raised their pikes and
advanced steadily, as if expecting at any moment to meet the foe.

But many hours