"Light it, and chuck it among 'em," whispered Dummy, but he proceeded with system. "Put t'other inside the doorway," he whispered. "Don't want that to go off too." Mark obeyed, and returned unseen by those below, or the party defending the hall-door, to find that his companion, used to seeing such things done, had cut a little hole in the side of the powder-bag, inserted a piece of the fuse, and thrust the rest in his pocket. "Here, you hold the end of the string up," whispered Dummy; and there was a rattling noise, as he took out the flint and steel he was carrying. A cold chill ran through Mark. "Mind," he whispered; "you'll blow us to pieces." "Nay, I won't," said the lad, between his teeth. "You hold the thing in your hands; open it out a bit. I won't send no sparks nigh the powder. Aren't afeared, are you?" "No," said Mark, setting his teeth; and stooping down, he screened the bag by passing the fuse between his knees, holding the frayed-out end ready while Dummy made a low clicking noise, and cleverly sent a shower of sparks down upon the prepared hemp. It caught directly, and began to sparkle and sputter, Mark holding it firmly, but feeling as if he were the victim of some horrible nightmare dream. "That's the way," said Dummy, coolly replacing the flint and steel. "It won't go off yet. I want it to burn till it's nearly ready, and then heave it down right amongst 'em. Make some on 'em squint." "Throw it--throw it," panted Mark hoarsely. "Nay, not yet. They'd see it burning, and tread it out. Here, you let me have it. I'll hold it to the last minute, and when I throw, you duck yourself down, or you might get burnt." Dummy took hold of the burning cord with his left hand, the bag with his right, pressing his companion out of the road, and then standing twitching the sparkling fuse, which was only a few inches away from the powder in the bag. "I've often seen it done," he whispered. A shout came up from the little court, for the followers of Captain Purlrose had again driven their battering ram through the great door, and a shout of defiance came back from the hall from a few voices, among which Mark recognised his father's; but he could not turn from that sparkling piece of line to glance over the stony battlement to see what was being done. His eyes were fascinated, and nothing could have withdrawn them then. He had proved again and again that he was no coward, but a great terror chained him now, and his voice trembled as he panted out: "Quick--quick; throw--throw!" "Nay, not yet. I'm watching of it. Father always waits till there's on'y about an inch, to make sure it'll go off." There was not much more as he spoke, and just then, in obedience to an order from their captain, the men drew back from the doorway, balancing the beam swung between them, as, four on each side now, it hung from their hands, and backing till they were past the spot where the pair were crouching.