CHAPTER THIRTY ONE.
THE WASPS' NEST.
There was a sound in the darkness as if several men had drawn a deep breath together, and then for a few moments all was very still, so still that Mark started when he heard his father's voice, and felt strange and wondered to hear the gentle tones in which he spoke.
"Do you feel that you can guide us all without lights ?" "Oh, yes; I have been so long in the dark, and have often come with my father to fill the pitcher in that pool below." "Rugg, you and your boy stay back, and keep the lights hidden," said Sir Edward firmly.
"Oh!" cried the old miner, in a tone full of protest; and then hastily: "Right, Sir Edward." "And be ready to bring the lanterns, and come to our help when called." Dan Rugg growled his assent, but Dummy murmured angrily.
"Join yourselves together, my lads," whispered Sir Edward, "by carrying your pikes each with the head upon the shoulder of the man before him-- the man behind me to rest his in the same way as I lead.

Ready ?" "Ay!" came in a low growl from out of the darkness.
"One word more," said Sir Edward sternly, and his words sent a thrill through Mark.

"If the enemy surrenders, show mercy now: if he does not, remember not a man must escape." A low deep murmur, full of hatred against the destroyers of their homes, came from the miners, and then in the renewed silence Sir Edward said sharply: "Mark, take this poor child's other hand, and protect her when I am away.

Now forward." A little soft cold hand closed tightly upon Mark's, as he stepped to Minnie's side; and then slowly and silently the party advanced under the girl's guidance for quite two hundred yards through what seemed to be solid darkness, out of which her voice came in a low whisper from time to time.
"Stoop here--a little to the right--to the right once more--now through this narrow opening on the left.

Only one can pass at a time: you first." Mark led, and passed through a rift, to see a feeble glow upon his left, where a candle was stuck against the rock, and beneath it lay a figure, very dimly-seen, while, apparently coming through an opening farther on, they heard the low hoarse sound of voices; and words came suggesting that the speakers were engaged in some game of chance.
Minnie withdrew her hands from her protectors, and hurried to kneel down by the figure in the corner, Sir Edward and Mark following, to bend over the prisoner.
"Too weak," he panted--"I tried to come.