Ralph took and raised a torch, and saw that half his own party, including Nick Garth and Ram Jennings, were suffering from cuts and stabs in their arms. "Oh, they're nowt," growled Nick. "They've got it worse inside. Now then, let's go at 'em again, or we shall never do it." Another yell of defiance came from the passage, followed by mocking invitations to them to come on again. "Yah! You aren't men," roared Ram Jennings. "Rats, that's what you are--rats. Only good to go and fight wi' women." "It's of no good," said Mark bitterly. "I feel done. I haven't had a single cut or thrust at one of the brutes; neither have you. We can't do it." "I don't like to say so," said Ralph, "but my father was a soldier, and he said a good officer never wasted his men." "Well, we're wasting ours," said Mark bitterly, "We must give up, and come again." "Stop," whispered Ralph. "I know. Give orders to your men quietly, and I'll do so to mine. Then we'll throw the torches in at them with all our might, and give a shout, and retreat as if we were beaten." "And stop on each side of the mouth to catch them as they pursue us," said Mark excitedly, catching at the idea. "That's it." The next moment they were hurrying from man to man, who heard them sulkily, growling and panting in their rage. But they obeyed their leaders' orders, getting their remaining links well ablaze, the holders forming in front, and the rest quietly and quickly filing out by the other end of the chamber. "Now!" shouted Ralph suddenly. "In with them." There was a rush of light, and the fiery missiles flew in through the opening, falling amongst the defenders, and leaving the chamber in comparative darkness, amidst which was heard the quick tramping of feet, mingled with the yells of rage from the defenders. The next minute, with Mark and Ralph coming last, all were outside the mouth of the cavern, grouped in two parties, with presented weapons, breathing the soft, cool night air, and waiting for the attack of their foes. Sound after sound came from the opening, but not such as they longed with bated breath to hear. Once there was a loud order which came rolling out, and a little later a gleam of lights was seen, but no rush of footsteps, no sign of pursuit; and suddenly a voice broke the silence of the peaceful night air, as Nick Garth roared out: "'Taren't likely. Rats won't show for hours after the dogs have hunted 'em in their holes." "Ah! might wait for a week," growled Dan Rugg. "It's all over for to-night." "They're right, Eden," whispered Ralph. "Yes: they're right," said Mark, with a groan. "We're beaten--beaten, like a pack of cowards. Let's go home." "I did not see much cowardice," said Ralph bitterly. "But it's all over, and we must retreat. Give the word." "What! to retreat?" cried Mark passionately. "I'll die first." "It is not fair to the men to keep them longer."