"I'm going to make a dash for it," said Ralph, setting his teeth hard, for his wound smarted a good deal, and there was a peculiar warm feeling as of something trickling down his sleeve. "What, run away?" "Who said I was going to run away?" cried Ralph. "Look here: in war two kings who hate one another often join together against an enemy." "Of course," said Mark. "I hate you and all your family, but we don't want any one else to set up here, near our homes, do we?" "No," said Mark sharply. "Then I'll stand by you like a trump," cried Ralph; "if you'll stand by me now. It's long odds, but we've got right on our side." "Shake hands on it then," cried Mark--"No, we can't do that, because it's like making friends, when we're enemies and hate one another." "No, we can't shake hands," said Ralph warmly, "but we can make our swords kiss hilts, and that's joining together for the fight." "Agreed," cried Mark; and the lace steel shells of their rapiers clinked together, making the men, who were watching them intently, exchange glances. "I say," said Mark hastily, "wasn't that a mistake?" "What?" "Joining like that. It's making our swords friends." "Only till this skirmish is over," said Ralph. "Oh yes; of course. We can make the blades kiss then. Here, what's that Captain what-you-may-call-him doing, waving his arms like that?" "Means for them to come on and attack. He's savage because they don't," said Ralph. "Yes, that's it. I believe they're afraid of getting more holes in their jerkins." "Ha-ha!" laughed Ralph; "and they have no room, I suppose. Look here, let's have a dash for it." "What! run away? That I won't, from them, so long as I've got a sword." "Run away! No!" cried Ralph, who was bubbling over with excitement, the slight wound he had received acting as a spur to his natural desire to punish some one for his pain. "Can't you see that if we make a dash at them on one side, we shall only have two to fight for a bit till the others can come up; and we might wound the first two if we're quick, before their companions could attack." "Well said, general," cried Mark excitedly. "That's right. Let's look sharp then, for my leg hurts as if it was getting stiff." "Never mind your leg. Hallo! hark!" "Why don't you come on yourself, then?" shouted one of the men, in answer to a good deal of gesticulation from the captain. "Take care you don't get a hole in your skin." "Hurrah!" cried Mark; "they are afraid. Ready?" "Yes; come on!" cried Ralph; and the two lads made a rush at the men who stood in their homeward way, astonishing them so that they turned and ran before the attacking party had gone half-a-dozen paces. But a yell of execration rose from the others, as they now made a rush after the lads, who became pursuers and pursued as well. A savage yell, too, came from high up the mountain slope, the captain being joined by the rest of his gang, and standing shouting and waving his hands furiously.