The Black Tor | Page 7

will
give you a pound or two to help you."
"Oh, as if I were a common wayside beggar. Comrade, this is too hard.
Can you not see that my beard is getting grizzled and grey?"
"Yes; but I do not see what that has to do with it."
"Think again, old comrade. Twelve brave and true men have I with me.
Take us as your gentlemen and men at arms to protect you and yours
against those who are unfriendly. You must have enemies."
Sir Morton started and glanced at his son, for these words touched a
spring in his breast. With thirteen fighting men to increase his little
force, what might he not do? The Edens' stronghold, with its regularly
coming-in wealth, must fall before him; and, once in possession, Sir
Edward Eden might petition and complain; but possession was nine

points of the law, and the king had enough to do without sending a
force into their wild out-of-the-way part of the world to interfere. Once
he had hold of the Black Tor, he could laugh at the law, and see the old
enemy of his house completely humbled.
Sir Morton hesitated and turned his head, to find his son watching him
keenly, while Captain Purlrose stood with his left hand resting on the
hilt of his sword, making the scabbard cock out behind, and lift up the
back of his ragged cloak, as with his right he twisted up and pointed
one side of his rusty-grey fierce moustache.
The man was watching Sir Morton keenly, and his big ears twitched, as
he tried to catch the whispered words which passed between father and
son.
"What do you say, Ralph, lad? With the help of these men I could
easily make Eden bite the dust. Then the Black Tor would be mine, and
afterwards yours; with all the rich revenue to be drawn from the
lead-mine. It is very tempting, boy."
"Yes, father," said the boy hotly, and his face flushed as he spoke; "but
that's what it is--a miserable temptation. We'll humble the Edens, and
have the Black Tor and the lead-mine; but we'll win all with our swords
like gentlemen, or fail. We could not go and take the place with a set of
ruffians like those outside, and helped by such a man as yonder bully.
You couldn't do it, father. Say no."
"Hah! More insults," cried Purlrose, who had caught a word here and
there. "But no; lie still, good sword: he is a beardless boy, and the son
of the brave comrade I always honoured, whate'er my faults."
Ralph turned upon him angrily; but his father laid a hand upon the
boy's shoulder, and pressed it hard.
"Right, Ralph, lad," he said warmly, and he looked proudly in the boy's
eyes. "I could not do it in that way."
"Hah!" ejaculated the lad, with a sigh of content.

"No, Purlrose," continued Sir Morton. "I shall not avail myself of your
services. Go into the hall and refresh yourself and your men. Come to
me afterward, and I will help you as I said."
"With a mouthful of bread, and a few pence, and after all this weary
journey across these wild moors. But I see: it is all through the words
of this beardless boy. Suppose I tell you that, now I have come, I mean
to stay?" he added threateningly.
"Shall I get the men together, father?" said Ralph quickly.
"No, boy, there is no need," said Sir Morton firmly. "I am not afraid of
Michael Purlrose's threats."
"What!" cried the man. "You do not know me yet."
"Better than you know yourself, sir," said Sir Morton, rising. "That is
the way to the hall. Have the goodness to go first."
The captain threw his cloak back over his right shoulder, slapped his
right hand heavily upon his rusty breast-plate, and then, with a flourish,
caught at the hilt of his sword, and again half drew it from its sheath, to
stand scowling at Ralph, the intentness of his gaze seeming to affect his
eyes, so that they began to lean towards each other, as if for help, till
his look became a villainous squint. Then, as neither father nor son
quailed before him, he uttered a loud "Hah!" thrust back his sword, and
strode with a series of stamps to the door, his high, buff-leather boots
rustling and creaking the while.
There he faced round.
"I give you one more chance, Morton Darley," he cried. "Yes or no?"
"No," said Sir Morton firmly.
"One moment before it is too late. Are we to be friends or foes?"
"Neither," shouted Ralph quickly.

"Yes, boy, one or the other. You, Morton Darley, will you take me into
your service, or do you drive me into