"We made them run with it when they attacked us here." "What, did they 'tack you here ?" "Yes, and were beaten off, and came down to you." "Well, it wasn't very neighbourly to send 'em down to us," said the man sourly.
"You should have beaten them off, and sent them back again," said Mark, smiling.
Then the order to march came, and the little band of sturdy men went off at a solemn tramp, Dummy carrying a couple of lanterns and a box slung from his shoulder, well supplied with torches, candles, and slow match, for the powder which it did not fall to his lot to bear.
As they passed over the bridge, the wounded men clanged to the gates, and two of them took their places on the tower above, while, as the party tramped across and turned to descend the zigzag, a thought came to Mark, and he turned back to glance at the window of his bed-chamber, as he wished that Ralph Darley were uninjured and marching by his side to help in the rescue of his father and sister.
There were two faces at the casement: those of Mary and Master Rayburn; and as the lad descended the slope they waved their hands to him.

The next minute the cliff-side hid them from view.
The march in the calm bright evening was uneventful.

Everything was so beautiful that it seemed hard to realise the horrors which had taken place during the past night, till Mark looked to right or left, and saw the bandages of several of the men.

Nick Garth, too, was limping, but he resolutely kept on declaring that it was nothing to mind.
The Steeple Stone was left to the right, for there was this time no party of allies to meet; and very soon the great heavy mass of barren rocky hill loomed up before them, higher and higher, till the party were out from among the trees which had so far concealed their march, and proof was soon given that they were observed.
For all at once something was seen to be in motion, and Dummy shouted: "There: I told you so!" At the distance they then were, the object seen might have been a sheep or goat, slowly moving up the higher part of the mountain; but before long it stood out on the ridge, clear against the golden evening sky, plainly enough now a man.
Mark judged that after watching them the sentinel waved his hand to some one below, for the movement was seen, and a few minutes later another, and again another figure came up to stand clearly marked against the sky; and after a time all descended, their course being tracked down the barren hill face, till they disappeared, without doubt, in through the mouth of the cavern.
"Preparing a warm reception for us, Mark, my lad," said Sir Edward, advancing to his son's side; "but we shall be able to give them one equally warm.

Well, my man, how are the wounds?
Would you like to have ten minutes' halt ?" Nick, to whom this was addressed, showed his teeth in a peculiar smile.
"When we've done our work, master; not before.