"The varmin!" he said. "The varmin! Time it were done, Master Mark. Oh yes, I'll pick out some lads who owe 'em a grudge, same as I do. You want eight of us? Me and seven more?" "You and Dummy, and six more." "Dummy! Tchah! He's no good." Dummy silently dug his elbow into his master's ribs, but it was unnecessary. "I want you and Dummy, and six men," said Mark decisively. "Oh, very well, sir; you're young master; but what you can see in that boy I don't know. Nine on us," he continued thoughtfully. "Twelve o' them. 'Taren't enough, master." Mark hesitated. He had not meant to speak of his allies, for fear of opposition, but concluded now that it would be better, and explained everything. "No, Master Mark; won't do, sir," said Dan, shaking his head ominously. "No good can't come o' that. They'll be running away, and leaving us in the lurch." "Nonsense. Eight men will be picked who, as you say, owe the ruffians a grudge, and they'll fight well." "But they'd rather fight us, master, same as us would rather fight them." "Not this time, Dan. We must join hands with them, and beat the robbers. Another time we may fight them." There was a low savage snarl. "What do you mean by that, Dummy?" cried Mark. "You didn't tell me that Darley's boy was coming to fight alongside o' you, Master Mark." "Then I tell you now, Dummy," said Mark haughtily. "We've joined together to crush the robbers; so hold your tongue." "Ay, he'd better," growled Dan. "Well, Master Mark, I don't quite like it; but if you say it's to be done, why, done it shall be." "And you'll make the men you choose be secret?" "Why, master? Of course Sir Edward knows?" "Not a word; and he is not to know till we bring in the prisoners." "Whee-ew!" whistled the old miner; and then he chuckled. "Well," he said, "you have growed up a young game-cock! All right, Master Mark. We'll come; only you must bear all the blame if the master don't like it. You order me to do this?" "Yes, I order you," said Mark firmly. "It is time it was done." "That's so, Master Mark, and that's enough. I begin to feel as if I should like a fight." "And you shall have it. I'll be outside, by the horse-stone, with eight swords, eight pikes, and eight belts." "That's good, master; but we must bring our picks as well. We can handle them better than other tools." "Very well. You leave your lads down at the bottom, and come up with Dummy to fetch the arms; and mind this: I want to show up well before the Darleys. You'll pick fine trusty lads who can fight?" "You leave that to me, Master Mark," said the old miner. "I'm proud of our family as you are. They shan't have eight fellows as can equal us, 'cepting me and that stoopid boy." "Don't you mind what he says, Dummy," cried Mark laughingly; "he doesn't mean it. There, come along. I want you to help me pick out some good sharp swords and pikes. Mind, Dan, I shall be waiting for you as soon as the last light's out."