"My father has killed many a stag with it.

Now, are you going to beg for your life ?" There was no reply, and the men took a step or two forward.
"Go back!" cried Mark fiercely; and the men obeyed.
Mark bent over the prisoner, with the mocking laugh intensifying.
"Too much of a coward to beg for your life," he said: "well, I'm too much of a coward to make you see it taken.

There!" With a quick movement, he turned Ralph over upon his face, thrust the point of the dagger beneath the line where the cut would tell best, and the prisoner's wrists were free; another quick cut divided the rope which drew his elbows together, and then the knees and ankles followed, the strained hemp easily parting at the touch of the keen blade, and Ralph Darley was free.
"Why, Master Mark," cried the chief man of the party in astonishment, "what you doing of ?" "Can't you see, idiot ?" cried Mark, with a fierce snap.
"But what's the good of our ketching and tying on him ?" cried the man addressed as Tom, in an ill-used tone.
"Say another word, you brute, and I'll have you tied as you tied him," cried Mark fiercely.
"Well, I dunno what Sir Eddard'll say when he knows." "What he says he'll say to me," cried Mark.

"You fellows ought to be in the mine by now.

Go back to your work." The youth stood pointing down the steep slope, and an angry murmur of opposition arose; but the men began to move off, only to be called back just as Ralph rose painfully to his feet.
"Come here," cried Mark.