At the first threatening movement made by Ralph, the dog stopped short, barking furiously, and the lad glanced downward once more.

But to proceed meant to turn his back upon his four-footed enemy, which would have seized him directly.
There was nothing then to be done but face it, and he prepared to hurl his missile, but, to the lad's despair, the second dog, which had been silent, now rushed up, and he had to keep them both off as he stood at bay, the new-comer being more viciously aggressive than the first.
"I can't help it: I must make a dash for freedom," thought Ralph; and, raising his stone higher, he hurled it at the bigger dog, which avoided it by bounding aside.

Then turning, he dashed downward, right into the arms of a man.
There was a sharp struggle, and the latter was getting worsted, being lower down, and having to bear the shock of Ralph's weight in the bound, but the next moment unexpectedly the lad felt himself seized from behind, two more men came panting up, and, utterly mastered, he found himself upon his back, with one enemy seated upon his chest, another holding his arms outspread, and the others his legs, thoroughly spread-eagled upon the sloping rock.
"Got you now," said the leader of the little party.

"You, Tom, we can manage him .-- Get out, will you, dogs!--Here, take them with you.

Run to the mine hut, and get some rope to tie him.