My advice is that we go back now, and come again." "Why, you're hurt," said Ralph excitedly, as he saw the blood streaming down the man's arm.
"Ah, so's a lot of us, young master," growled the man.

"Look at your own lads." Ralph took and raised a torch, and saw that half his own party, including Nick Garth and Ram Jennings, were suffering from cuts and stabs in their arms.
"Oh, they're nowt," growled Nick.

"They've got it worse inside.

Now then, let's go at 'em again, or we shall never do it." Another yell of defiance came from the passage, followed by mocking invitations to them to come on again.
"Yah! You aren't men," roared Ram Jennings.

"Rats, that's what you are--rats.