Again there was a quick rustle, as if his pursuer had tried to diminish the distance, and a minute later this sounded so near that, convinced of his follower being one of the men who had attacked them that evening, Ralph suddenly faced round--just when the sensation was strong that some one was about to leap upon him and strike him down--and shouted aloud: "Keep back, whoever you are. I am armed." "Ralph! that you?" came from a short distance in his rear. "Yes, yes, quick!" cried the lad faintly; and he staggered on now, to find himself a minute later in his father's arms. "Why, Ralph, boy, what does this mean? I have half-a-dozen men out hunting for you." "I'll--I'll tell you presently," panted the lad, who was bathed in sweat. "Draw your sword, and be on your guard. Some one has been following me this last half-hour." "Who?" "I don't know. Be on your guard." "Not fancy, is it, my boy?" said Sir Morton, rather doubtfully. There was a sharp rustling sound, and a foot kicked a stone, as its owner was evidently retreating fast. "Humph! Then some one has been following you.--Hallo, there! stop!" "Hoi! hillo!" came from a distance in answer. "Quick!" said Sir Morton. "This way, man. Found--found!" The cliffs echoed the words, and Sir Morton took the lad's arm and pressed it firmly--fortunately the left. "I beg your pardon, Ralph. I thought you were scared by the darkness of the wood. Some one was after you; but it would be folly to try and catch him in this gloomy place. Why, what's the matter, boy? you are reeling about. Feel faint?" "Yes," panted the lad heavily. "I have been fighting--wounded. Help me, please." Sir Morton Darley passed his arm under his son's, and helped him quickly along; a whistle brought Nick Garth and another man to his side; and the former carried the lad right up the slope to the entrance of the castle, where a little rest and refreshment recovered the sufferer sufficiently to enable him to relate why he had brought back no fish, a task he had hardly ended, when Master Rayburn entered to dress his second patient's arm. "We must put an end to such alarms as this, Master Rayburn," said Sir Morton angrily. "Ay; and the sooner the better," cried that gentleman, as he carefully re-bandaged the lad's hurt.--"I wonder," he said to himself, "whether Ralph has told him how he obtained his wound? Is this the beginning of the end?" CHAPTER FIFTEEN. WHAT SIR MORTON SAID.