At the distance they then were, the object seen might have been a sheep or goat, slowly moving up the higher part of the mountain; but before long it stood out on the ridge, clear against the golden evening sky, plainly enough now a man.
Mark judged that after watching them the sentinel waved his hand to some one below, for the movement was seen, and a few minutes later another, and again another figure came up to stand clearly marked against the sky; and after a time all descended, their course being tracked down the barren hill face, till they disappeared, without doubt, in through the mouth of the cavern.
“Preparing a warm reception for us, Mark, my lad,” said Sir Edward, advancing to his son’s side; “but we shall be able to give them one equally warm. Well, my man, how are the wounds? Would you like to have ten minutes’ halt?”
Nick, to whom this was addressed, showed his teeth in a peculiar smile.
“When we’ve done our work, master; not before. Dessay we shall be ’bliged to wait before we get in.”
“I hope not,” said Sir Edward. “I mean for us to make a bold rush.”
“That’s right, master,” said the man, whose fellows were listening eagerly; “but I’ve been thinking about Sir Morton yonder, and my young lady.”
“Yes? What about them?” asked Sir Edward.
“You’re going to use blasting-powder?”
“Well, what of that?”