The Black Tor Part 24

For answer, Mark seized the handkerchief Ralph held out, and knotted it last round his companion's arm.

"Now let me do something to your leg."

"No; it doesn't bleed now," said Mark. "Let's get on. If they see us crippled, they'll come on again, and if they do I'm good for nothing.

It doesn't bleed; it only feels of no use. There, let's get on. Are they watching us?"

"No, I think not. It's getting so dark there. I say; I can see they're lifting one of the men to carry him."

"Wish some one would carry me," groaned Mark.

"I don't think I can," said Ralph. "Perhaps I could, though, if you could hold on."

"Bah!" cried Mark sharply. "Likely. Come on, and I'll coax that beast of a pony. If I can only get hold of him, I'll make him carry us both."

They pressed on in silence, Mark using his sword as a walking-stick with one hand, and compelled to accept his enemy's arm, till they came up to where the cob was grazing.

It let them come close up before raising its head, and then, after contemplating them for a bit, twitching his ears, as Mark uttered a series of blandishments, and ended by tossing its head, and spinning round, as upon a pivot, to trot off. It failed in this, however, for Ralph thrust his foot through the trailing rein, and brought the animal up short.

"Well done!" cried Mark. "There, jump on, and then pull me across like a sack."

"Nonsense! Get on yourself. I'll help you."

"I shan't, it's my pony. You're wounded, so get on."

"After you," said Ralph, and, after a little more bandying of words, Mark felt so sick with pain that he had either to lie down on the earth or mount.

He did the latter, after several groans, for his leg was very stiff and painful.

"There's a coward for you," he said. "Now jump up behind."

"There is no need," said Ralph. "I can walk."

"That's not fair."

"Never mind.--Get on with you."

This last to the pony, who walked quietly along with his burden in the pleasant evening light.

For some minutes now neither of the lads spoke, being too much engrossed by pain and the strangeness of their position.

"I say," said Mark at last, "you'd better come up to the Tor, and drop me, and I'll lend you the pony to carry your wounded arm home."

"No," said Ralph quietly. "I shall come a bit farther, and then strike off. You can get safe home now."

"Yes, I suppose so; but you ought to have the pony, or one of our men, to see you safe."

"He'd finish me off," said Ralph grimly, and Mark was silent.

"I say," he said at last; "I shan't say we fought."

"Why?" asked Ralph, in surprise.

"Because it's like bragging so, to talk of two fights. I shall say the robbers attacked us, and we beat them off; then they'll get the credit of our wounds."

"But it will not be true."

"I shan't say they wounded us," replied Mark. "If my father likes to think they did it, I shall let him."

"I shan't," said Ralph quietly. "I shall tell my father everything."

"Well, I suppose it will be best," said Mark. "But, I say, that fight doesn't count, you know. We must begin again where we can't be interrupted."

"When your leg's better."

"Yes, and your arm's all right."

"Of course."

"Queer thing being such enemies, Darley, isn't it?"

"Very," said Ralph quietly.

"But I suppose it comes natural, though, to our families."

"I have always thought so," replied Ralph.

"I say, I'm glad you're not a coward, though. They say that all the Darleys have been cowards."

"Yes; and all the Edens too."

"It's a lie--an abominable lie," cried Mark hotly. "Do you mean to say I'm a coward?"

"How could I, after the way you helped me to fight those ruffians this evening? I thought you very brave," said Ralph gravely.

"Thank ye. That's what I thought about you. But I think it's a pity you are a Darley."

"Don't say that. I am very proud to be one, but I say--"

"Yes?"

"Don't you think, instead of paying compliments to one another, we ought to go and get our wounds properly seen to?"

"Yes, it would be more sensible. You'll turn off, and go round by the cliff?"

"Yes, where the path comes up from the river," replied Ralph.

"And we'll finish that fight as soon as ever we can," said Mark.