Without a moment's hesitation, Mark charged at the enemy again, and as they fled he chased them, sword in hand, for some little distance before once more turning to rejoin Ralph, who had struggled to his feet, ready to cling once more to the horse's mane, a task made more easy by Mark cutting through the bonds with his sword. Mary was waiting a little farther back, and the trio had to go back some distance to reach a fresh track across country, the enemy making no sign of pursuit, but getting on with their plunder. "They completely deceived me," Ralph told his companions. "I took them for carriers." "Ah! as I did," said Mark grimly. "And when it was too late, I saw my mistake, for they seized and bound me, and," added the lad bitterly, "they have got my sword and belt." Ralph walked by his companions almost in silence the rest of the time that they were together, both Mark and his sister appearing troubled by his presence, and it seemed a great relief to all when a path was reached which would enable Ralph to reach Cliff Castle, the others having some distance farther to go to reach an open part passable by their steeds. "I thank you, Master Mark Eden," he said quietly; and then, raising his cap to Mary Eden, he leapt over the stones which led to the top of a slope, and soon disappeared from their sight. "What were you thinking, Mark?" said Mary, breaking the silence at last. "That this would not be a bad place if we had no enemies. What were you thinking?" "Plenty of things," said the girl sadly. "Well, tell me some." "I'm tired, and hungry, and thirsty. It will soon be dark. Father will be angry because we have been so long; and I am getting frightened." "What of?" said Mark sharply. "Of meeting with the robbers again." "I should almost like to," cried Mark fiercely. "Oh Mark!" cried the girl in dismay. "Well, if you were not here," he said, with a laugh. "It's getting too bad. Once upon a time there was only the Darleys to mind. Now these people--this Captain Purlrose and his men--seem to belong to the land, and father will not fight them. Oh, if I only were master, what I would do! There, canter, and let's get home. I want to think." Home was reached, and Sir Edward made acquainted with the encounter, at which he frowned, but said very little that night, except once, when he suddenly broke out petulantly: "It seems, Mark, as if you were always running against this boy of Darley's. Have the goodness in future to go some other way." CHAPTER NINETEEN. A COUNCIL OF WAR. "How can I help it?" said Mark one morning, as he was sauntering down by the river. "I did not mean to meet him, and here he is again. Hallo! he has got a fresh sword." The lad instinctively clapped his hand to his side, to feel if he had his own buckled on, though of late, consequent upon the troubled state of the country round, he had never thought of stirring without it.