"Hush! Don't, pray don't cry," whispered Mark. "Can you guide us to where your father is?" "Yes; oh yes." "In the darkness?" "Yes, I can find my way." "Can you lead us, my child, to where these ruffians are?" said Sir Edward, who had approached. "We must surprise and make them prisoners first." "Yes--no, you will kill them," whispered the girl. "It is too treacherous and dreadful." "My child," said Sir Edward gently, and he stretched his hand forward till he could touch the girl's head, upon which he softly laid his hand; "I have a girl as young and fair as you, and Heaven forbid that she should ever be called upon to perform such an act. But think: it is to save your father's life; to save you from the hands of these treacherous ruffians. You must be our guide." There was a dead silence for a few moments, and Sir Edward felt his hand taken and held to two soft lips. "Yes," came gently; "it is to save my poor father. He will die in this terrible place; and I must die too. You do not know, and they would easily kill you if you went without. Yes, I will guide you to where they are. I feel that I must." CHAPTER THIRTY ONE. THE WASPS' NEST. There was a sound in the darkness as if several men had drawn a deep breath together, and then for a few moments all was very still, so still that Mark started when he heard his father's voice, and felt strange and wondered to hear the gentle tones in which he spoke. "Do you feel that you can guide us all without lights?" "Oh, yes; I have been so long in the dark, and have often come with my father to fill the pitcher in that pool below." "Rugg, you and your boy stay back, and keep the lights hidden," said Sir Edward firmly. "Oh!" cried the old miner, in a tone full of protest; and then hastily: "Right, Sir Edward." "And be ready to bring the lanterns, and come to our help when called." Dan Rugg growled his assent, but Dummy murmured angrily. "Join yourselves together, my lads," whispered Sir Edward, "by carrying your pikes each with the head upon the shoulder of the man before him-- the man behind me to rest his in the same way as I lead. Ready?" "Ay!" came in a low growl from out of the darkness. "One word more," said Sir Edward sternly, and his words sent a thrill through Mark. "If the enemy surrenders, show mercy now: if he does not, remember not a man must escape." A low deep murmur, full of hatred against the destroyers of their homes, came from the miners, and then in the renewed silence Sir Edward said sharply: "Mark, take this poor child's other hand, and protect her when I am away. Now forward." A little soft cold hand closed tightly upon Mark's, as he stepped to Minnie's side; and then slowly and silently the party advanced under the girl's guidance for quite two hundred yards through what seemed to be solid darkness, out of which her voice came in a low whisper from time to time.