Part 36 (1/2)
”Look here, Dummy, can I trust you?”
”I dunno, Master Mark. I'll do what you tell me.”
”That's right. Will you fight?”
The boy's eyes flashed in the candle-light, down in the grim chamber were they stood.
”Torches--fight,” he whispered. ”Are you going to tackle the Darleys?”
”No; the robbers.”
”T'other's best; and they're robbers too. But them'll do. Want me to come and help fight them?”
”Yes; will you?”
”Will I?” said the boy, showing his teeth. ”I'll follow you anywhere, Master Mark.”
”Well, I want to follow you now. Take me to your father, and--not a word to a soul.”
Dummy slapped his mouth, and shut it close; then going to a niche in the rock, he pointed to a box of candles, and a much bigger one, which he opened and showed to be quite full of long sticks of hempen tow soaked in pitch, one of which he took out, and gave to Mark, and took one himself, lit it, and then led the way down, and in and out among the darkest recesses of the mine.
”Smoky,” said Dummy, giving his torch a wave, and sending the black curls of fume eddying upward, to hang along the stone ceiling. Then he uttered an angry cry.
”What's the matter?”
”Hot pitch, Master Mark. Big drop splathered on to my hand.”
In due time the place where Dan Rugg was working and directing the men, chipping out the rich lead ore, was reached, and he came out of the murky place.
”Ah, Master Mark,” he said. ”You, Dummy, put your foot on that smoky link. Want to smother us?”
”My fault, Dan,” cried Mark. ”Come here.”
He communicated a part of the plan, and the miner's stern face began to relax more and more, till he showed his yellow teeth in a pleasant grin, and put his sharp pick under his arm, so as to indulge in a good rub of his hands.
”The varmin!” he said. ”The varmin! Time it were done, Master Mark.
Oh yes, I'll pick out some lads who owe 'em a grudge, same as I do. You want eight of us? Me and seven more?”
”You and Dummy, and six more.”
”Dummy! Tchah! He's no good.”
Dummy silently dug his elbow into his master's ribs, but it was unnecessary.
”I want you and Dummy, and six men,” said Mark decisively.
”Oh, very well, sir; you're young master; but what you can see in that boy I don't know. Nine on us,” he continued thoughtfully. ”Twelve o'
them. 'Taren't enough, master.”
Mark hesitated. He had not meant to speak of his allies, for fear of opposition, but concluded now that it would be better, and explained everything.