“But he’ll be mad about our going with a lot o’ Black Torers.”
“I tell you I am answerable for everything.”
“Yes, but—”
“Look here, Nick: do you want to rout out Captain Purlrose and his gang?”
“Do I want to, Master Ralph? Do I want to get his head under a stone, and sarve it like I would a nut? Yes, I doos.”
“Then pick the men. Bind them to be silent, and meet me as soon as the lights are all out. Will you do this?”
“Won’t I?” said the man exultantly; “and won’t we?—Master Ralph, sir, I am proud on you.—Well, this is going to be a treat! But, say, Master Ralph, will them Edens fight ’longside of us without being nasty?”
“Yes, because it’s against a common enemy,” said the lad.
“Common? They just are, sir. Commonest muck o’ men. Fit for nothing but putting under ground. Why, how I should like to take my old mother with us, and let her loose at that there captain. I wouldn’t give much for his chance. Shall I tell her?”
“No!” cried Ralph. “Not a soul. Everything must be done in secret, and the rascals up at Ergles taken by surprise.”