The Black Tor | Page 4

"been out?"
"Only on the cliff, father," cried the lad hastily. "Visitors."
"Visitors? Nonsense! I expect no visitors. Who are they?"
"Captain Purlrose and his men."
"Purlrose!" cried Sir Morton, with a look of angry disgust. "Here?"
"Yes, father," said Ralph, watching keenly the impression made by his words. "Waiting at the foot of the steps."
"Bah! I thought the drunken, bullying scoundrel was dead and gone years ago. Hung or shot, for he deserved either."
"Hah!" ejaculated the lad, with a sigh of relief. "Then you are not glad to see him, father?"
"Glad to see him? Are you mad, boy?"
"No, father," said the lad, with a merry laugh. "I hope not; but he said you would be, and that you were old brothers-in-arms, and that he longed to grip you by the hand; and he tried to hug me, and shed tears, and flattered me, and said all sorts of things."
"Pah! the same as of old; but you said--and his men."
"Yes, about a dozen like him; ruffianly-looking, rag-bags of fellows, all armed, and looking like a gang of bullies and robbers."
Sir Morton frowned, rose from his seat, and walked to the side of the room, where his sword and belt lay in front of a bookcase.
"Well, I suppose I must see the fellow. He served under me, years ago, Ralph, and I suppose he has come begging, unless he sees a chance to steal."
"Then I was not unjust, father, in thinking ill of the man and disliking him."
"Unjust? Pah! The fellow was a disgrace to the name of soldier; and now, I suppose, that there is no war on the way, he has been discharged from the king's service, with a pack of his companions."
"He said he had saved your life, father."
Sir Morton laughed contemptuously. "I have no recollection of the fact, Ralph, boy, and I don't think I should have forgotten so important a matter; but I do recollect saving his, by interceding when he was about to be shot for plundering some helpless people. There; let him and a couple of his men come in. The poor wretch is in a bad state, I suppose, and I will give him something to help him on his road."
Ralph went to the door, but turned back, hesitating.
"Well, my boy?" said his father.
"Had I not better tell some of the men to arm, and be ready?" asked the lad.
"What! Nonsense, boy! I know my man. He would not dare to be insolent."
"But he has a dangerous-looking gang of fellows with him."
"Of the same kind as himself, Ralph. Have no fear of that. If there were real danger, we could soon summon a dozen stout men to deal with him and his party. But, as I said, let him only bring in two or three with him."
Ralph hurried out, and found the captain and his men forming a picturesque group about the stone steps; and as soon as he appeared, the former swung himself round, and threw his cloak over his shoulder, with a swaggering gesture.
"Hallo, my young eagle," he cried. "What saith the parent bird, the gallant lord of the castle?"
"My father will see you, sir," replied Ralph. "This way."
"Aha! I knew he would," cried the man, giving his steel cap a cock over on one side, and displaying a large pink patch of his bald head. "Come on, brave boys."
"Stop!" cried Ralph quickly. "Three of you, only, are to accompany your leader."
"Eh? What?" cried the captain fiercely, as a low murmur arose.
"That is what my father said, sir."
"What does this mean?" cried the man theatrically. "Separate me from my brave companions-in-arms? Does this mean treachery, young sir?"
"Treachery? Why should it mean that?" cried Ralph stoutly, as the man's words endorsed the character so lately given of him. "If," argued Ralph to himself, "the fellow were the honest, brave soldier, why should he fear treachery from the brother-officer with whom he said he had often shared danger?"
"The world is full of wickedness, boy," replied the captain; "and I have often been misjudged. But there; a brave man never knows fear. You three come with me, and if in half an hour I do not come back, boys, you know what to do."
There was a shout at this, and hands struck sword-hilts with a loud clang.
"Right, brave boys, and don't leave one stone upon another until you have found your captain."
Ralph burst out into a fit of laughter, and then felt annoyed with himself, as the man turned round scowling.
"What do you mean by that, boy?"
"That your men would have their work cut out, sir," said Ralph sharply. "This way, please."
The captain uttered a low growl, signed to three of his men, and the party followed the lad, who, to his annoyance, once more came across his sister, hurrying along the passage.
"Salute, brave boys, salute," cried the captain.