"We'll settle all that when we meet," said Mark. "`Allies,' then-- to-night." "`Allies'--to-night," said Ralph; and after stiffly saluting, in the style taught by their fencing masters, the two lads separated, each making for his own home. Mark's task proved easy. He went straight to the mine, descended, and found Dummy. "Coming to go right through the cave beyond the big waterfall, Master Mark?" cried the lad eagerly. "No," replied Mark shortly. "Where's your father?" "Right away down the mine, in the new lead, Master Mark," said the lad in a disappointed tone. "Aren't you never coming to have a hunt?" "Oh yes, some day." "That's what you always say. There's lots to see and find out. You know where that water is." "Yes: but never mind now." "But, Master Mark, I'm sure that it comes from the river, where there's that sink-hole in the narrow, where you see the water turn round and round." "Very likely; but here, I must see your father. Take a light, and go before me. Here, Dummy, are there plenty of torches?" "Yes, Master Mark; but what do you want with torches?" "Don't ask questions, sirrah." "Very well, Master Mark," said the boy, so meekly that his young master was touched, and said gently: "Look here, Dummy, can I trust you?" "I dunno, Master Mark. I'll do what you tell me." "That's right. Will you fight?" The boy's eyes flashed in the candle-light, down in the grim chamber were they stood. "Torches--fight," he whispered. "Are you going to tackle the Darleys?" "No; the robbers." "T'other's best; and they're robbers too. But them'll do. Want me to come and help fight them?" "Yes; will you?" "Will I?" said the boy, showing his teeth. "I'll follow you anywhere, Master Mark." "Well, I want to follow you now. Take me to your father, and--not a word to a soul." Dummy slapped his mouth, and shut it close; then going to a niche in the rock, he pointed to a box of candles, and a much bigger one, which he opened and showed to be quite full of long sticks of hempen tow soaked in pitch, one of which he took out, and gave to Mark, and took one himself, lit it, and then led the way down, and in and out among the darkest recesses of the mine. "Smoky," said Dummy, giving his torch a wave, and sending the black curls of fume eddying upward, to hang along the stone ceiling. Then he uttered an angry cry. "What's the matter?" "Hot pitch, Master Mark. Big drop splathered on to my hand." In due time the place where Dan Rugg was working and directing the men, chipping out the rich lead ore, was reached, and he came out of the murky place. "Ah, Master Mark," he said. "You, Dummy, put your foot on that smoky link. Want to smother us?" "My fault, Dan," cried Mark. "Come here." He communicated a part of the plan, and the miner's stern face began to relax more and more, till he showed his yellow teeth in a pleasant grin, and put his sharp pick under his arm, so as to indulge in a good rub of his hands.