CHAPTER TWENTY ONE.
RALPH PLEADS GUILTY.
It was a savage fight, and before Mark and Ralph, who rushed desperately into the _melee_, not to lead their men, but to separate them, could succeed in beating down the menacing pikes, several more were wounded; and at last they drew off, with their burdens greatly increased by having on either side to carry a couple of wounded men.
"We must put it down to Purlrose," said Mark bitterly, as he ran back for a moment to speak to Ralph.

"But what do you say--oughtn't we to have our duel now ?" "If you like," said Ralph listlessly; "Perhaps we'd better, and then I may be half killed.

My father may be a little merciful to me then." Mark leaned forward a little, so as to try and make out whether his ally was speaking in jest or earnest; and there was enough feeble light in the east to enable him to read pretty plainly that the lad was in deadly earnest.
"No," he said sharply; "I don't think we'll have it out now.

My head's too queer, and my eyes keep going misty, so that I can't see straight.
You'd get the best of it.

I don't want to meet my father, but I'd rather do that than be half killed.