The muskets rang out, and then there was a shout of “We surrender! we surrender!”

A minute later the men were disarmed.  There was still a desperate struggle going on on the ground.

“Here, lads,” Ralph said to two of his men.  “Secure this red fellow, he is their leader.  One of you bring a torch here.”

The light was brought.  It was seen that the man who had sprung upon the Red Captain’s back had pinioned his arms to his sides, and held them there in spite of the efforts of the ruffian to free himself.  Two of the soldiers took off their belts and fastened them together, passed them between the back of the man and his captor, and then strapped his arms firmly to his side.  The man who held them then released his grip.

“Stand over him with fixed bayonets, and if he moves run him through.  Now, where’s Captain O’Connor?”

“I don’t know, sir.  He and Mr. Desmond and the naval officer went down the hole in front of us.  We were following when the naval officer shouted up to us to run round to this entrance and make our way in there, for he could go no further.”

“I am here, Conway,” a faint voice said from the other end of the cabin; “but I have broken my leg I think, and Desmond has knocked all the wind out of my body.”

Ralph hastened to the spot whence the voice came and found Captain O’Connor lying on the ground, and Lieutenant Desmond insensible beside him.

“What has happened?” Ralph exclaimed.  “Have they shot you?”

“No.  Hold the torch up and you will see the way we came.”

The soldier did so, and Ralph looking up saw a hole in the top of the cave twenty feet above.

“You don’t mean to say you came through there, O’Connor?”

“I did, worse luck to it!” O’Connor said.  “The passage got steeper and steeper, and at last my foot slipped, and I shot down and came plump into the middle of a peat fire; and a moment later Desmond shot down on to the top of me.  We scattered the fire all over the place, as you can imagine; but I burned my hands and face, and I believe the leg of my breeches is on fire—­something is hurting me confoundedly.”

“Yes, it is all smoldering!” Ralph exclaimed, putting it out with his hands.

“Have you got them all?” Captain O’Connor asked.

“Everyone; not one has made his escape.  It would have fared badly with us, though, if Lieutenant Adcock had not sent down the men to our assistance.  Where is your leg broken, O’Connor?”

“Above the knee,” the captain said.

“Here is some whisky and water,” Ralph said, handing him his bottle.  “Now, I will see what has happened to Desmond,” and he stooped over the insensible officer.

“He has got a nasty gash on his forehead, and I think his right arm is broken,” he said.  “I will pour a little spirits between his lips, and then he had better be carried out into the air.”

This was done; and then Ralph went outside, and shouted to Sergeant Morris to bring down another twenty men.