“Not this time, Dan. We must join hands with them, and beat the robbers. Another time we may fight them.”
There was a low savage snarl.
“What do you mean by that, Dummy?” cried Mark.
“You didn’t tell me that Darley’s boy was coming to fight alongside o’ you, Master Mark.”
“Then I tell you now, Dummy,” said Mark haughtily. “We’ve joined together to crush the robbers; so hold your tongue.”
“Ay, he’d better,” growled Dan. “Well, Master Mark, I don’t quite like it; but if you say it’s to be done, why, done it shall be.”
“And you’ll make the men you choose be secret?”
“Why, master? Of course Sir Edward knows?”
“Not a word; and he is not to know till we bring in the prisoners.”
“Whee-ew!” whistled the old miner; and then he chuckled. “Well,” he said, “you have growed up a young game-cock! All right, Master Mark. We’ll come; only you must bear all the blame if the master don’t like it. You order me to do this?”