As a light flame rose he applied his torch to it; but as he did so, came an exclamation of astonishment, for gathered in a circle round them were a dozen wild figures.

All were armed and stood in readiness to strike down the intruders into their hiding place.

They were barefooted, and had doubtless been asleep in the cave until, when awakened by the approaching footsteps and voices, they had silently arisen and prepared to fall upon the intruders.
"We are friends," Ronald said in the native language when he recovered from his start of surprise.

"I am Ronald, a fisherman from Rathlin, and was over here in the summer exchanging fish for sheep." "I recollect you," one of the men said; "but what do you here so strangely and secretly?
Are the English hunting you too from your island as they have done us ?" "They have not come to Rathlin yet," Ronald said.
"Doubtless they would do so, but `tis too poor to offer any temptation for their greed.

But they are our enemies as they are yours.