"Do you think that I cannot defend myself against a boy like that ?" "He's as big a boy as you are, Master Mark, and I won't let you go alone." "Dummy, you're an insolent dog," cried Mark haughtily.

"Keep your place, sir, or I'll never go down the mine with you again." "Oh, very well," said the boy sulkily, "but if he cuts your head off, don't come and howl about it to me after it's done." "I promise you I won't," cried Mark.
"And I shall climb up yonder and watch you, Master Mark; and if he kills you I'll follow him till I get him, and I'll take him and heave him down that big hole in the mine, where the water falls." Mark hardly heard this, for he was hurrying over the bridge, followed by Dummy, who, as his young master went down the zigzag path, began to climb up to where he could keep watch, a sentry being higher still, where he could command the approaches to the Tor Castle.
At the bottom of the third slope, Mark came upon Ralph, who was approaching to meet him, and at a glance he saw that something terrible had happened, for the lad's face was haggard and wild.

There were smears of blood about his temples, while his face looked as if it had been washed, and some injury had bled again.

In addition, a closer inspection showed that his hair had been singed off on one side, while the other was matted by dry blood.
"Why, hullo! Have you been in the wars too ?" "Help!" cried the lad, holding out his hands to him imploringly.
"Help?
You come to me!" said Mark wonderingly.
"Yes, to you, mine enemy," cried Ralph, with a wild hysterical cry.

"I am humbled now--there is no one else to go to.