The Black Tor Part 60

"Of course: and my father is close by here with a dozen stout men to punish these villains and save you, and--you do not say anything about your child."

There was no reply, and Mark pressed the hand he held, to find that there was no response, and that it was turning wet and cold, for the unfortunate prisoner had been unable to bear the tidings, and had swooned away.

"Go back," whispered Mark, "and tell my father whom we have found."

"Leave the light?" said the boy.

"No, take it. Tell him all you have heard."

The light glided away, and the next minute a faint sigh told that Sir Morton was regaining his senses, his complete recovery thereof being announced by a trembling pressure of the hand.

"Weak," he whispered. "I was badly wounded. So Heaven has sent my greatest enemy to save us."

"Us?" cried Mark excitedly. "Then Ralph Darley's sister is safe."

"Will be, I pray," said Sir Morton feebly. "I, her father, can do no more."

Sir Edward came up, in company with Dan Rugg and five men, approaching cautiously with one lantern; and they were in the act of descending to Mark and the prisoner when a hoa.r.s.e bullying voice was heard from a distance, the words echoing and reverberating as along a vaulted pa.s.sage.

"Now then, back to your den, old fool. Don't be a week fetching that water."

"I--I am going back," cried Sir Morton, and then in a whisper--"the light--the light. I will soon return."

He caught at the lantern, and began to move off painfully, while his would-be rescuers stood watching till the light disappeared round a corner, and a minute later the same harsh voice was heard speaking fiercely. Then all was still.

"Hah!" whispered Sir Edward, "at last. Keep all lights covered, Rugg, and go and bring up the rest of the men."

Dan grunted, and they heard his steps as they stood listening. Twice over there came the hoa.r.s.e sound of laughter, but Sir Morton did not return, and Sir Edward in his impatience was about to order a movement forward, now that all his men were at hand, when from out of the black darkness, close by where Mark stood listening with every nerve upon the strain, the lad heard a slight rustling, then a faint panting sound as of hasty breathing, and a low voice whispered: "Is any one there?

Please speak."

"Yes, yes," whispered Mark, and he stepped forward quickly with outstretching hands, which came in contact with one as cold as ice.

"Oh!" gasped its owner, as another hand felt for him and clung to him.

"I know your voice, Mark Eden. I am Minnie Darley: pray, pray come and help my father; he is too weak to come back to you."

The voice trailed off into a wail.

"Hus.h.!.+ Don't, pray don't cry," whispered Mark. "Can you guide us to where your father is?"

"Yes; oh yes."

"In the darkness?"

"Yes, I can find my way."

"Can you lead us, my child, to where these ruffians are?" said Sir Edward, who had approached. "We must surprise and make them prisoners first."

"Yes--no, you will kill them," whispered the girl. "It is too treacherous and dreadful."

"My child," said Sir Edward gently, and he stretched his hand forward till he could touch the girl's head, upon which he softly laid his hand; "I have a girl as young and fair as you, and Heaven forbid that she should ever be called upon to perform such an act. But think: it is to save your father's life; to save you from the hands of these treacherous ruffians. You must be our guide."

There was a dead silence for a few moments, and Sir Edward felt his hand taken and held to two soft lips.

"Yes," came gently; "it is to save my poor father. He will die in this terrible place; and I must die too. You do not know, and they would easily kill you if you went without. Yes, I will guide you to where they are. I feel that I must."

CHAPTER THIRTY ONE.

THE WASPS' NEST.

There was a sound in the darkness as if several men had drawn a deep breath together, and then for a few moments all was very still, so still that Mark started when he heard his father's voice, and felt strange and wondered to hear the gentle tones in which he spoke.

"Do you feel that you can guide us all without lights?"

"Oh, yes; I have been so long in the dark, and have often come with my father to fill the pitcher in that pool below."

"Rugg, you and your boy stay back, and keep the lights hidden," said Sir Edward firmly.

"Oh!" cried the old miner, in a tone full of protest; and then hastily: "Right, Sir Edward."

"And be ready to bring the lanterns, and come to our help when called."

Dan Rugg growled his a.s.sent, but Dummy murmured angrily.

"Join yourselves together, my lads," whispered Sir Edward, "by carrying your pikes each with the head upon the shoulder of the man before him-- the man behind me to rest his in the same way as I lead. Ready?"

"Ay!" came in a low growl from out of the darkness.

"One word more," said Sir Edward sternly, and his words sent a thrill through Mark. "If the enemy surrenders, show mercy now: if he does not, remember not a man must escape."

A low deep murmur, full of hatred against the destroyers of their homes, came from the miners, and then in the renewed silence Sir Edward said sharply:

"Mark, take this poor child's other hand, and protect her when I am away. Now forward."

A little soft cold hand closed tightly upon Mark's, as he stepped to Minnie's side; and then slowly and silently the party advanced under the girl's guidance for quite two hundred yards through what seemed to be solid darkness, out of which her voice came in a low whisper from time to time.

"Stoop here--a little to the right--to the right once more--now through this narrow opening on the left. Only one can pa.s.s at a time: you first."

Mark led, and pa.s.sed through a rift, to see a feeble glow upon his left, where a candle was stuck against the rock, and beneath it lay a figure, very dimly-seen, while, apparently coming through an opening farther on, they heard the low hoa.r.s.e sound of voices; and words came suggesting that the speakers were engaged in some game of chance.

Minnie withdrew her hands from her protectors, and hurried to kneel down by the figure in the corner, Sir Edward and Mark following, to bend over the prisoner.

"Too weak," he panted--"I tried to come. Eden! A strange meeting, oh mine enemy! G.o.d forgive us all the past; and if when you--come back--a conqueror--for the sake of Him who died--protect my child.--Minnie!" he cried faintly, and the girl sank beside him with a wail.

Sir Edward went down on one knee, sought for, and took his enemy's hand.

"Can you hear?" he whispered.