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Updated: July 25, 2025
"My father's men?" cried Ralph angrily, as he ignored the other's preparations for a fresh attack. "You're mad; can't you see they're those scoundrels who came to us Captain Purlrose and his men. Look, there he is up yonder by that hole." "What do they mean, then?" cried Mark, dropping the point of his weapon. "Mischief to us," cried Ralph. "Or me," said Mark suspiciously.
There was not much more as he spoke, and just then, in obedience to an order from their captain, the men drew back from the doorway, balancing the beam swung between them, as, four on each side now, it hung from their hands, and backing till they were past the spot where the pair were crouching. "Now, all together, my brave boys," cried Purlrose; "a good run, and down goes the door. Off!"
Then, too, he could not understand his own acts. It all seemed so absurd, just such a confused sequence of events as would take place in a dream, for him to be listening to Ralph's appeal for help, and to begin pitying him, his natural enemy, feeling toward him as if he were his dearest friend; and then, with his heart burning with rage against those who had injured him and his, to follow his father, panting to get ready an expedition whose object was to drive Captain Purlrose and his murderous, thieving crew off the face of the earth.
The old man hurried away with the remainder of his bandages, and Sir Morton signed to his son, who followed him to the room into which Captain Purlrose had been ushered. "Now, Ralph," began Sir Morton, but his son interrupted him: "Guilty, father," he cried dismally, "and I have failed."
"And your fish are right back there. I'll come with you to fetch them." "No, no; let them have 'em. We must retreat now. Two, four, six, eight-nine of them now; and I don't think those fellows who are down are much hurt. Come along." For Captain Purlrose was now descending the slope, and his men were approaching menacingly, spurred on by a shower of oaths, threats, and abuse from their leader.
The three men laughed aloud, and Sir Morton, who had not before noticed them, turned upon them sharply, with the result that the laughter died out, and they looked uncomfortable. "And this before my men! Humbled thus! Have I fallen so low?" "You are wasting words, Captain Purlrose; and, as you have found where I lived, and have evidently journeyed long, tell me at once why you have come."
"Then I suppose now it is going to be our fight. Very well: it is none of my seeking, and I don't think we shall have Captain Purlrose to stop it." They came to a stand about a yard apart, and delivered themselves each of a short nod, but for some moments neither spoke. "Well," said Mark at last, "are you ready?" "Yes," replied Ralph; "here or somewhere among the trees." "Of course.
But the voice of Captain Purlrose was heard thundering out the words: "Stand fast! Only a few drops of pitch, and a singe or two. Here, two of you, throw them back." An exchange of burning missiles now took place for a few minutes, which soon ended on the part of the defenders, who, roaring with rage and pain, kept on trampling out the torches now thrown. "Stop!" cried Mark. "It's of no good.
Ralph watched the men until the last had disappeared; and then, knowing from the configuration of the place as he had seen it from another point of view, that he would probably not see them again for an hour or two, perhaps not again that day, if Sir Edward Eden received the proposals of Captain Purlrose favourably, he began slowly and thoughtfully to descend.
The old tower is stronger than ever, and if they come we'll fight them from the outer gate to the wall, from the wall to the inner wall, and if they drive us from that, there is the tower, where we can set them at defiance." "As old Sir Ralph did, father," cried the boy, flushing with pride. "Exactly, my boy; and I do not feel much fear of Captain Purlrose and his men."
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