"Mark Eden!" said Ralph to himself, as he caught sight of his enemy. "Then I suppose now it is going to be our fight. Very well: it is none of my seeking, and I don't think we shall have Captain Purlrose to stop it." They came to a stand about a yard apart, and delivered themselves each of a short nod, but for some moments neither spoke. "Well," said Mark at last, "are you ready?" "Yes," replied Ralph; "here or somewhere among the trees." "Of course. We don't want to be seen." They walked off side by side till they reached a patch of grass, fairly level and free from stones, where they flung their caps on the ground, and drew their swords; a dove high up in view of the cliff breaking out, as if ironically, with a soft, gentle coo. But their minds were too much occupied with war to think of the bird of peace. Then all at once Mark rested his point upon the toe of his high boot. "Look here," he said; "if I stop to say something now, will you promise me that you will not think it an excuse to keep from fighting?" "Let me hear what it is," said Ralph coldly; and Mark flushed and raised his point again. "No!" he cried. "Yes: I will say it, and you may think I'm a coward if you like. I don't care." "What is it?" said Ralph, making a dimple on the toe of his boot with his sword point. "Well, it's this," said Mark; "and mind, I'm speaking to you as an enemy." "Of course," said Ralph. "Old Master Rayburn said to me, that as my father did not put a stop to the doings of this Captain Purlrose, I ought to do it." "That's exactly what he said to me." Mark hesitated for a moment or two, and then, as if speaking with an effort, he blurted out: "And thought I ought to join you, each getting together some men, and going and taking the ruffians by surprise." "Yes; and he said all that to me." "Oh! Well, it's quite impossible for us to fight together as friends, isn't it?" "Quite," cried Ralph. "We did once, though," suggested Mark. "Yes, so we did. Well, couldn't we again if we tried?" "I don't know," said Mark thoughtfully. "We should have to do it in secret if we did." "Oh yes; nobody must know, or it would be stopped." "Well, I've thought a deal about it. What do you say? Shall we try?" "I will, if you will." "And you won't think I don't want to fight you now?" "Well, I can't help thinking that. You don't want to, do you?" Mark frowned, and was silent for a few moments, before saying hurriedly: "I want to fight the enemy of my house, but I don't want to fight you in particular. You see, it seems strange, after we've fought together against another enemy." "It doesn't seem strange to me," said Ralph quietly; "it seems stupid." "But I'm not afraid." "I don't think I am," said Ralph. "I think we showed we were not afraid when I wounded you." "I wounded you too," said Mark hotly. "Yes. Well, then, don't let's fight this morning." Mark sheathed his weapon, and Ralph did the same.