 CHAPTER IV IN THE ABBY CHURCH In Shorby Abbey Church the prayers were kept up all night, without cessation. Now with the singing of psalms, now with a note or two upon the bell. Rutter the spy was nobly waked. There he lay, meanwhile, as they had arranged him, his dead hands crossed upon his bosom, his dead eyes staring on the roof, and hard by in the stall, the lad who had slain him waited, in sword disquietude, the coming of the morning. Once only, in the course of the hours, Sir Oliver leaned across to his captive. He whispered, My son, if you mean me evil, I will certify on my soul's welfare you design upon an innocent man. Sinful in the eye of heaven I do declare myself, but sinful against you I am not, neither have been ever. My father returned, Dick, in the same tone of voice. Trust me, I design nothing, but as ye for your innocence I may not forget, that ye cleared yourself but lamely. A man, maybe innocently guilty, replied the priest. He may be set, blindfolded upon a mission, ignorant of its true scope. So it was with me. I did decoy your father to his death, but as heaven sees us in this sacred place I knew not what I did. It may be, returned Dick, but see what a strange web ye have woven, that I should be at this hour, at once your prisoner and your judge, that ye should both threaten my days and deprecate my anger. Me thinks, if ye had been all your life a true man and a good priest, ye would neither thus fear nor thus detest me. And now, to your prayers, I do obey you, since needs must, but I will not be birthened with your company. The priest uttered a sigh so heavy that it almost touched the lad into some sentiment of pity, and he bowed his head upon his hands like a man born down, below a weight of care. He joined no longer in the psalms, but Dick could hear the beads rattle through his fingers and prayers a pattering between his teeth. Yet a little, and the grey morning, began to struggle through the painted casements of the church, and to put to shame the glimmer of the tapers. The light slowly broadened and brightened, and presently, through the southeastern clarestories, a flush of rosy sunlight flickered on the walls. The storm was over, the great clouds had disburdened their snow, and fled further on, and the new day was breaking on a merry winter landscape sheathed in white. A bustle of church officers followed, the beer was carried forth to the dead house, and the stains of blood were cleansed from off the tiles, that no such ill-olmen spectacle should disgrace the marriage of Lord Sorby. At the same time the very ecclesiastics who had been so dismally engaged all night began to put on morning-faces to do honour to the merrier ceremony which was about to follow, and further to announce the coming of the day, the pious of the town began to assemble and fall to prayer before their favourite shrines or wait their turn at the confessionals. Favoured by this stirrit was, of course, easily possible for any man to avoid the vigilance of Sir Daniel's sentries at the door, and presently Dick looking about him warily caught the eye of no less a person than Will Lawless still in his monk's habit. The outlaw at the same moment recognised his leader, and privily signed to him with a hand and eye. Now Dick was far from having forgiven the old rogue his most untimely drunkenness, but he had no desire to involve him in his own predicament, and he signalled back to him as plain as he was able to be gone. Lawless as though he had understood disappeared at once behind a pillar, and Dick breathed again. What then was his dismay to feel himself plucked by the sleeve and to find the old robber installed beside him upon the next seat and to all appearance plunged in his devotions. Instantly Sir Oliver arose from his place and gliding behind the stalls made for the soldiers in the aisle. If the priest's suspicions had so likely wakened, the harm was already done, and Lawless a prisoner in the church. Move not, whisper Dick, we are in the plague-ist pass, thanks before all things to thy swininess of yester-even. When you saw me here so strangely seated, where I have neither right nor interest, what a murion! Could ye not smell harm and get ye gone from evil? Nay, returned Lawless, I thought ye had heard from Ellis, and were here on duty. Ellis echoed Dick, is Ellis then returned? For sure, replied the outlaw, he came last night, and belted me sore for being in wine, so there ye are avenged my master. A furious man is Ellis Duckworth, he has ridden me hot spur, from Craven to prevent this marriage, and Master Dick, ye know the way of him, do so he will. Nay then, returned Dick with composure, you and I, my poor brother, are dead men, for I sit here a prisoner upon suspicion, and my neck was to answer for this very marriage that he proposes to Marr. I had a fair choice, by the rude, to lose my sweet heart, or else lose my life. Well, the cast is thrown, it is to be my life. By the mass, cried Lawless, half a rising, I am gone. But Dick had his hand, at once upon his shoulder. Friend Lawless, said she still, he said, and ye have eyes look yonder at the corner, by the channel arch. See ye not that, even upon the motion of your rising, yon armed men are up and ready to intercept you. Yield ye friend, ye were bold aboard ship, when ye thought to die a sea death, be bold again, now that ye are to die presently upon the gallows. Master Dick, gasped Lawless, the thing has come upon me, somewhat of the suddenness, but give me a moment till I fetch my breath again, and by the mass I will be as stout-hearted as yourself. Here is my bold fellow, returned Dick and yet Lawless, it goes hard against the grain with me to die. But we're whining, mendeth nothing, wherefore whine. Nay, that indeed, chimed Lawless, and a fig for death at worst. It has to be done, my master, sooner late, and hanging in a good quarrel is an easy death, they say, though I could never hear of any that came back to say so. And so saying, the stout old rascal leaned back in his stall, folded his arms, and began to look about him with the greatest air of insolence and unconcern. And for the matter of that, Dick added, it is yet our best chance to keep quiet, we would not yet would duck with purposes, and when all is said, and if the worst befall, we may yet clear our feet of it. Now that they cease talking, they were aware of a very distant and thin strain of mirthful music which steadily drew nearer, louder, and merrier. The bells in the tower began to break forth into a doubling peal, and a greater and greater concourse of people to crowd into the church, shuffling the snow from off their feet and clapping and blowing in their hands. The western door was flung wide open, showing a glimpse of sunlit, snowy street, and admitting in a great gust the shrewd air of the morning, and in short it became plain by every sign that Lord Shorby desired to be married very early in the day, and that the wedding-train was drawing near. Some of Lord Shorby's men now cleared a passage down the middle aisle, forcing the people back with lamp-stocks, and just then, outside the portal, the secular musicians could be described drawing near over the frozen snow, the pifers and trumpeters scarlet in the face with lusty blowing, the drummers and the symbolists beating as for a wager. These as they drew near the door of the sacred building, filed off on either side, and marking time to their own vigorous music, stood stamping in the snow. As they thus opened their ranks, the leaders of this noble bridal train appeared behind and between them, and such was the variety and gaiety of their attire, such a display of silks and velvet, fur and satin, embroidery and lace, that the procession showed forth upon the snow like a flower-bed in a path or a painted window in a wall. First came the bride, a sorry sight, as pale as winter, clinging to Sir Daniel's arm, and attended as bridesmaid by the short young lady who had befriended Dick the night before. Close behind, in the most radiant toilet, followed the bridegroom halting on a gaiety foot and as he passed the threshold of the sacred building, and off his hat his bald head was seen to be rosy with emotion. And now came the hour of Ellis Duckworth, Dick who sat stunned among contrary emotions grasping the desk in front of him, beheld a movement in the crowd, people jostling backward and eyes and arms uplifted. Following these signs he beheld three or four men with bent bows, leaning from the clarestory gallery. At the same instant they delivered their discharge and before the clamour and cries of the astounded populace had time to swell fully upon the ear, they had flitted from their perch and disappeared. The nave was full of swaying heads and voices screaming, the ecclesiastics thronged in terror from their places, the music ceased, and though the bells overhead continued for some seconds to clang upon the air, some wind of the disaster seemed to find its way at last even to the chamber where the ringers were leaping on their ropes, and they also desisted from their merry labours. Right in the midst of the nave the bridegroom lay, stone dead, pierced by two black arrows, the bride had fainted, so Daniel stood towering above the crowd in his surprise and anger, a clothyard shaft quivering in his left forearm, and his face streaming blood from another which had grazed his brow. Long before any search could be made for them the authors of this tragic interruption had clotted down a turnpike stair and decamped by a postern door. But Dick and Lawless still remained in pawn. They had indeed arisen on the first alarm and pushed manfully to gain the door. But what with the narrowness of the stulls and the crowding of the terrified priests and choristers the attempt had been in vain and they had stoically resumed their places. And now, pale with horror, Sir Oliver rose to his feet and called upon Sir Daniel, pointing with one hand to Dick. Here, he cried, is Richard Shelton, alas the hour, blood guilty sees him, bid him be seized, for all our lives sake take him and bind him surely, he hath sworn our fall. Sir Daniel was blinded by anger, blinded by the hot blood that still streamed across his face. Where, he bellowed, hail him forth by the cross of Hollywood, but he shall rue this hour. The crowd fell back and a party of archers invaded the choir, laid rough hands on Dick, dragged him head foremost from the stall, and thrust him by the shoulders down the chancel steps. Lawless on his part sat as still as a mouse. Sir Daniel, brushing the blood out of his eyes, stared blinkingly upon his captive. I, he said, treacherous and insolent, I have thee fast, and by all potent oaths, for every drop of blood that now trickles in mine eyes, I will ring a groan out of thy carcass away with him, he added, here is no place, off with him to my house, I will number every joint of thy body with a torture. But Dick, putting off his captors, uplifted his voice. Sanctuary, he shouted, sanctuary, hold there, my fathers, they would drag me from the church. From the church thou hast defiled with murder-boy, added a tall man, magnificently dressed. On what probation, cried Dick, they do accuse me, indeed, of some complicity, but have not proved one title. I was, in truth, a suitor for this damsel's hand, and she, I will be bold to say, repaid my suit with favour. But what, then, to love a maid is no offence? I tro, nay, nor to gain her love. In all else, I stand here, free from guiltiness. There was a murmur of approval among the bystanders, so boldly Dick declared his innocence. But at the same time a throng of accusers arose upon the other side, crying how he had been found last night in Sir Daniel's house, how he wore a sacrilegious disguise, and in the midst of the babble Sir Oliver indicated lawless, both by voice and gesture, as an accomplice to the fact. He in his turn was dragged from his seat and set beside his leader. The feelings of the crowd rose high on either side, and while some dragged the prisoners to and fro to favour their escape, others cursed and struck them with their fists. Dick's ears rang and his brain swam dizzily, like a man struggling in the eddies of a furious river. But the tall man, who had already answered Dick by a prodigious exercise of voice, restored silence and order in the mob. Search them, he said, for arms we may so judge of their intentions. On Dick they found no weapon but his poignard, and this told in his favour, until one man officiously drew it from its sheath, and found it still uncleansed of the blood of rudder. At this there was a great shout among Sir Daniel's followers, which the tall man suppressed by a gesture and an imperious glance. But when it came to the turn of lawless, there was found under his gown a sheaf of arrows identical with those that had been shot. How say ye now? asked the tall man, frowningly of Dick. Sir, replied Dick, I am here in sanctuary. Is it not so? Well, sir, I see, by your bearing, that ye are high in station, and I read in your countenance the marks of piety and justice. To you, then, I will yield me prisoner, and that blithely, forgoing the advantage of this holy place. But rather than to be yielded into the discretion of that man, whom I do here accuse, with a loud voice, to be the murderer of my natural father, and the unjust detainer of my lands and revenues, rather than that I would beseech you under favour, with your own gentle hand, to dispatch me on the spot. Your own ears have hurt him, how before that I was proven guilty he did threaten me with torments. It standeth not with your own honour to deliver me to my sworn enemy, and old oppressor, but to try me fairly by the way of law, and, if that I be guilty, indeed to slay me mercifully. My lord! cried Sir Daniel, ye will not hearken to this wolf? His bloody dagger wreaks him the lie into his face. Nay, but suffer me, good night! return, the tall stranger, your own vehemence, to somewhat tell against yourself. And here the bride, who had come to herself, some minutes past, and looked wildly upon this scene, broke loose from those that held her, and fell upon her knees before the last speaker. My lord of Risingham! she cried, hear me injustice, I am here in this man's custody by mere force, reft from my own people. Since that day I had never pity, countenance, nor comfort from the face of man, but from him only, Richard Shelton, whom they now accuse, and labour to undo. My lord! if he was yesterday night, in Sir Daniel's mansion, it was I that brought him there. He came but at my prayer, and thought to do no hurt. While yet Sir Daniel was a good lord to him, he fought with him of the black arrow loyally. But when his foul guardian sought his life by practices, and he fled by night, for his soul's sake, of that bloody house wither was he to turn, he helpless and penniless, or if he be fallen among ill company, whom should she blame, the lad that was unjustly handled, or the guardian that did abuse his trust. And then the short young lady fell on her knees by Joanna's side. And I, my good lord, and natural uncle, she added, I can bear testimony, on my conscience, and before the face of all, that what this maiden saith is true, it was I unworthy that did lead the young man in. Earl Risingham had heard in silence, and when the voices ceased, he still stood silent for a space. Then he gave Joanna his hand to arise, though it was to be observed that he did not offer the courtesy to her, who had called herself his niece. Sir Daniel, he said, here is a right intricate affair, the witch, with your good leave, it shall be mine to examine and adjust. Content ye, then, your business is in careful hands. Justice shall be done you, and in the meanwhile get ye incontinently home, and have your hurts attended. The air is shrewd, and I would not ye took cold upon these scratches. He made a sign with his hand. It was passed down the nave by obsequious servants, who waded upon his smallest gestures. Instantly without the church a tucket-sounded shrill, and through the open portal, archers and men-at-arms uniformly arrayed in the colours, and wearing the badge of Lord Risingham began to file into the church, took dick and lawless from those who still detained them, and, closing their files about the prisoners, marched forth again and disappeared. As they were passing, Joanna held both her hands to dick and cried him her farewell, and the bridesmaid, nothing downcast but her uncle's evident displeasure, blew him a kiss with a, keep your heart up, lion-driver, that for the first time since the accident called up a smile to the faces of the crowd. CHAPTER V Earl Risingham, although by far the most important person, then in Shorby, was poorly lodged in the house of a private gentleman upon the extreme outskirts of the town, nothing but the armed men at the doors and the mounted messengers that kept arriving and departing announced the temporary residence of a great Lord. Thus it was that, from lack of space, dick and lawless were clapped into the same apartment. Well spoken, Master Richard, said the outlaw, it was excellently well spoken, and for my part I thank you cordially. Here we are in good hands, we shall be justly tried, and some time this evening, decently hanged on the same tree. Indeed, my poor friend, I do believe it, answered dick. Yet we have a string to our bow. Returned lawless, Ellis Duckworth is a man out of ten thousand. He holdeth you right near his heart, both for your own and for your father's sake, and knowing you guiltless of this fact, he will stir earth and heaven to bear you clear. It may not be, said dick, what can he do? He hath but a handful, a lack, if it were, but to-morrow. Could I but keep a certain trist, an hour before noon to-morrow? All were, I think, otherwise. But now there is no help. Well, concluded lawless, and you will stand to it for my innocence, I will stand to it for yours, and that stoutly. It shall not avail us, but am I to hang, it shall not be for lack of swearing. And then, while dick gave himself over to his reflections, the old rogue curled himself down into a corner, pulled his monkish hood about his face, and composed himself to sleep. Soon he was loudly snoring, so utterly had his long life of hardship and adventure blunted the sense of apprehension. It was long afternoon, and the day was already failing, before the door was opened and dick taken forth and led upstairs, to where, in a warm cabinet, Earl Rizingham sat musing over the fire. On his captive's entrance he looked up. Sir, he said, I knew your father, who was a man of honour, and this inclineth me to be more lenient. But I may not hide from you that heavy charges lie against your character. You do consort with murderers and robbers. Upon a clear probation, you have carried war against the king's peace. You are suspected to have piratically seized upon a ship. You are found skulking with a counterfeit presentiment in your enemy's house. A man is lain slain, that very evening. And it's like you, my lord, dick-interposed, I will at once avow my guilt such as it is. I slew this fellow-rutter, and to the proof, searching in his bosom, here is a letter from his wallet. Lord Rizingham took the letter, and opened and read it twice. Ye have read this, he inquired. I have read it, answered Dick. Are ye for York or Lancaster? The earl demanded. My lord, it was but a little while back that I was asked that question, and knew not how to answer it, said Dick. But, having answered once, I will not vary, my lord, I am for York. The earl nodded approvingly. Honestly replied, he said, but wherefore then deliver me this letter. Nay, but against traitors, my lord, are not all sides arrayed, cried Dick. I would, they were young gentlemen, return the earl, and I do at least approve your saying. There is more youth than guile in you, I do perceive, and were not Sir Daniel a mighty man upon our side, I were half tempted to espouse your quarrel. For I have inquired, and it appears you have been hardly dealt with, and have much excuse. But look ye, sir, I am before else a leader in the queen's interest, and though by nature a just man, as I believe, and leaning, even to the excess of mercy, yet must I order my goings for my party's interest, and to keep Sir Daniel I would go far about. My lord, return Dick, ye will thank me very bold to counsel you, but do ye count upon Sir Daniel's faith? Me thought he had changed sides intolerably often. Nay it is the way of England, what would ye have? The earl demanded, but ye are unjust to the night of Tunstall. And as faith goes, in this unfaithful generation, he hath of late been honourably true to us of Lancaster, even in our last reserves he stood firm. And it please you then, said Dick, to cast your eye upon this letter, ye might somewhat change your thoughts of him. And he handed to the earl Sir Daniel's letter to Lord Wensleydale. The effect upon the earl's countenance was instant. He lowered like an angry lion, and his hand, with a sudden movement, clutched at his dagger. Ye have read this also? He asked. Even so, said Dick, it is your lordship's own estate he offers to Lord Wensleydale. It is my own estate, even as ye say. Return the earl. I am your beddisman for this letter, it hath shown me a fox's hole. Command me, Master Shelton, I will not be backward in gratitude, and to begin with, York or Lancaster, true man or thief, I do now set you at freedom. Go, a Mary's name, but judge it right, that I retain and hang your fellow lawless. The crime hath been most open, and it were fitting that some open punishment should follow. My lord, I make it my first suit, to you to spare him also, pleaded Dick. It is an old, condemned rogue, thief, and vagabond, Master Shelton, said the earl. He hath been gallows-ripe this score of years, and whether for one thing or another, whether tomorrow or the day after, where is the great choice? Yet, my lord, it was through love to me that he came hither, answered Dick, and I were turlish and thankless to desert him. Master Shelton, ye are troublesome, replied the earl severely, it is an evil way to prosper in this world, how be it, and to be quit of your importunity, I will once more humor you. Go then together, but go warily, and get swiftly out of shoreby town. For this, sir Daniel, whom may the saints confound, thirstest most greedily to have your blood. My lord, I do now offer you in words my gratitude, trusting at some brief date, to pay you some of it in service, replied Dick, as he turned from the apartment. CHAPTER VI When Dick and Lawless were suffered to steal by a back way out of the house where Lord Rasingham held his garrison, the evening had already come. They paused in shelter of the garden wall to consult on their best course. The danger was extreme. If one of sir Daniel's men caught sight of them and raised the view, hello, they would be run down and butchered instantly, and not only was the town of shoreby a mere net of peril for their lives, but to make for the open country was to run the risk of patrols. A little way off upon some open ground they spied a windmill standing, and hard by that a very large granary with open doors. How if we lay there until the nightfall, Dick proposed, and Lawless, having no better suggestion to offer, they made a straight push for the granary at a run, and concealed themselves behind the door among some straw. The daylight rapidly departed, and presently the moon was silverying in the frozen snow. Now or never was there opportunity to gain the goat and bagpipes unobserved and change their tell-tale garments. Yet even then it was advisable to go round by the outskirts, and not run the gauntlet of the marketplace, where, in the concourse of people, they stood the more imminent peril to be recognized and slain. This course was a long one. It took them not far from the house by the beach, now lying dark and silent, and brought them forth at last by the margin of the harbour. Many of the ships, as they could see by the clear moonshine, had weighed anchor, and, profiting by the calm sky, proceeded far more distant parts. Answerable to this the rude alehouses along the beach, although in defiance of the curfew-law they still shone with fire and candle, were no longer thronged with customers, and no longer echoed to the chorus of sea-songs. Hastily, half running with their monkish rain-ment, kilted to the knee, they plunged through the deep snow and threaded the labyrinth of marine lumber, and they were already more than half way round the harbour when, as they were passing close before an ale-house, the door suddenly opened and let out a gush of light upon their fleeting figures. Instantly they stopped, and made believe to be engaged in earnest conversation. Three men, one after another, came out of the ale-house, and the last closed the door behind him. All three were unsteady upon their feet, as if they had passed the day in deep potations, and now they stood wavering in the moonlight, like men who knew not what they would be after. The tallest of the three was talking in a loud, lamentable voice. Seven pieces as of good Gascony as ever a tapster broached, he was saying, the best ship out of the port of Dartmouth, a Virgin Mary, parcel-guilt, thirteen pounds of good gold money. I have had losses too, interrupted one of the others. I have had losses of my own, gossip or blaster. I was robbed at marchimests of five shillings in a leather wallet, well worth nine pence-farthing. Dick's heart smote him at what he heard. Until that moment he had not perhaps thought twice of the poor skipper who had been ruined by the loss of the good hope. So careless in those days were men who wore arms of the goods and interest of their inferiors. But this sudden encounter reminded him sharply of the high-handed manner and ill ending of his enterprise, and both he and Lawless turned their heads the other way to avoid the chance of recognition. The ship's dog had, however, made his escape from the wreck and found his way back again to Shoreby. He was now at our blaster's heels, and suddenly, sniffing and pricking his ears, he darted forward and began to bark furiously at the two sham-friars. His master unsteadily followed him. Hey, shipmates! he cried, have you ever had a penny for a poor old shipment, clean destroyed by pirates? I am a man that would have paid for both of you a Thursday morning, and now here I be a Saturday night begging for a flagon of ale. Ask my man, Tom, if you doubt me. Seven pieces of good gaskin' wine, a ship that was mine own, and was my father's before me, a blessed merry of plain tree wood, and parceled gilts and thirteen pounds in golden silver. Hey, what say ye? A man that fought the French, too, for I have fought the French, I have cut more French throats upon the high seas, than ever a man that sails out of Dartmouth. A penny-piece. Neither dick nor lawless, durst answer him a word, lest he should recognize their voices, and they stood, as helpless as a ship ashore, not knowing where to turn, nor what to hope. Are ye dumb, boy? inquired the skipper. Mates, he added with a hiccup. They be dumb, I like not this manner of discuracy, for an a man be dumb, so be as he's courteous, he will speak when he was spoken to, me thinks. By this time the sailor Tom, who was a man of great personal strength, seemed to have conceived some suspicion of these two speechless figures, and being soberer than his captain, stepped suddenly before him, took lawless roughly by the shoulder and asked him, with an oath, what ailed him that he held his tongue. To this the outlaw, thinking always over, made answer, by a wrestling faint that stretched the sailor on the sand, and, calling upon dick to follow him, took to his heels among the lumber. The affair passed in a second, before dick could run at all, our blaster had him in his arms. Tom, crawling on his face, had caught him by one foot, and the third man had a drawn cutlass brandishing above his head. It was not so much the danger, it was not so much the annoyance, that now bowed down the spirits of young Shelton. It was the profound humiliation to have escaped Sir Daniel, convinced Lord Rizzingham, and now fall helpless in the hands of this old drunken sailor, and not merely helpless, but as his conscience loudly told him, when it was too late, actually guilty, actually the bankrupt dutter of the man whose ship he had stolen and lost. Bring me him back to the ale-house, till I see his face, said our blaster. Nay, nay, return Tom, but let us first unload his wallet, lest the other lads cry share. But though he was surged from head to foot, not a penny was found upon him, nothing but Lord Foxon's signet, which they plucked savagely from his finger. Turn me him to the moon, said the skipper, and taking dick by the chin he cruelly jerked his head into the air. Said Virgin, he cried, it is the pirate. Hey, cried Tom, by the Virgin of Bordeaux, it is the man himself, repeated our blaster, what sea-thief do I hold you? He cried, where is my ship, where is my wine? Hey, have I you in my hands? Tom, give me one end of a cord here, I will so trust me this sea-thief, hand and foot together, like a basting turkey, very I will so bind him up, and thereafter I will so beat, so beat him. And so he ran on, winding the cord, meanwhile about dick's limbs, with the dexterity peculiar to seamen, and at every turn and cross, securing it with a knot, and tightening the whole fabric with a savage pull. When he had done, the lad was a mere package in his hands, as helpless as the dead. The skipper held him at arm's length, and laughed aloud. Then he fetched him a stunning buffet on the ear, and then, turning him about, and furiously kicked and kicked him. Anger rose up in dick's bosom like a storm, anger strangled him, and he thought to have died. But when the sailor, tired of this cruel play, dropped him all his length upon the sand, and turned to consult with his companions, he instantly regained command of his temper. Here was a momentary respite, ere they began again to torture him. He might have found some method to escape from this degrading and fatal misadventure. Presently sure enough, and while his captors were still discussing what to do with him, he took heart of Grace, and, with a pretty steady voice, addressed them. My masters, he began, are ye gone, clean foolish? Here hath Heaven put into your hands as pretty an occasion to grow rich as ever shipmen had. Such as ye might make, thirty overseas adventures and not find again. And, by the mass, what do ye beat me, nay? So would an angry child. But for long-headed Terry-Johns, that fear not fire nor water, and that love gold as they love beef, me thinks ye are not wise. I, said Tom, now ye are trust, ye would cozen us. Cozen you, repeated Dick, nay, if ye be fools it would be easy. But if ye be shrewd fellows as I tro ye are, ye can see plainly where your interest lies. When I took your ship from you, we were many, we were well clad and armed. But now, be think you a little, who mustered that array? One incontestably, that hath made much gold. And if he, being already rich, continue with to hunt after even more in the face of storms. Be think you once more, shall there not be a treasure, somewhere hidden? What meaneth he, asked one of the men? Why, if ye have lost an old skiff and a few jugs of vinegary wine, continued Dick, forget them, for the trash they are, and do ye rather buckle to an adventure worth the name, that shall in twelve hours make or mar you forever. But take me up from where I lie, and let us go somewhere near at hand, and talk across a flagon, for I am sore and frozen, and my mouth is half among the snow. He seeks to cozen us, said Tom, contemptuously. Cozen, cozen! cried the third man. I would I could see the man that could cozen me. He were a cozener indeed. Nay, I was not born yesterday. I can see a church when it hath a steeple on it. And for my part, gossip our blaster, me thinks there is some sense in this young man. Shall we go hear him, indeed? Say, shall we go hear him? I would look gladly on a puddle of strong ale. Good master piret. Returned our blaster. How say ye, Tom? But then the wallet is empty. I will pay, said the other. I will pay. I would feign see this matter out. I do believe, upon my conscience, there is gold in it. Nay, if ye get again to drinking, all is lost! cried Tom. For our blaster, ye suffer your fellow to have too much liberty. Returned, master piret. Would ye be led by a hired man? Fie, fie! Pace, fellow! said our blaster, addressing Tom. Will ye put your oar in? Truly a fine pass, when the crew is to correct the skipper. Well, then go your way, said Tom. I wash my hands of you. Set him then upon his feet, said master piret. I know a privy place, where we may drink and discourse. If I am to walk, my friends, ye must set my feet at liberty. Said Dick, when he had been once more, planted upright like a post. He sayeth true, laughed Piret. Truly he could not walk, accoutre'd his he is. Give it a slit. Out with your knife and slit it, gossip. Even our blaster paused at this proposal. But as his companion continued to insist, and Dick had the sense to keep the merest wooden indifference of expression, and only shrugged his shoulders over the delay, the skipper consented at last, and cut the cords which tied his prisoners' feet and legs. Not only did this enable Dick to walk, but the whole network of his bonds being proportionately loosened, he felt the arm behind his back begin to move more freely, and could hope, with time and trouble, to entirely disengage it. So much he owed already to the owlish silliness and greed of Master Piret. That worthy now assumed the lead, and conducted them to the very same rude ale-house where Lawless had taken our blaster on the day of the gale. It was now quite deserted. The fire was a pile of red embers radiating the most ardent heat, and when they had chosen their places, and the landlord had set before them a measure of mould ale, both Piret and our blaster stretched forth their legs and squared their elbows like men bent upon a pleasant hour. The table at which they sat, like all the others in the ale-house, consisted of a heavy square board set on a pair of barrels, and each of the four curiously assorted cronies sat at one side of the square, Piret facing our blaster, and Dick opposite to the common sailor. "'And now, young man,' said Piret, "'to your tale, it doth appear indeed that ye have somewhat abused our gossip, our blaster, but what then? Make it up to him, show him but this chance to become wealthy, and I will go, pledge he will forgive you.' So far Dick had spoken pretty much at random, but it was now necessary, under the supervision of Six Eyes, to invent and tell some marvellous story, and if it were possible, get back into his hands the all-important signet. To squander time was the first necessity. The longer his stay lasted, the more would his captors drink, and the sureer would he be when he attempted his escape. Well, Dick was not much of an inventor, and what he told was pretty much the tale of Alibaba, with Shorby and Tunstall Forest substituted for the East, and the treasures of the Cavern rather exaggerated than diminished. As the reader is aware it is an excellent story, and has but one drawback, that it is not true. And so, as these three simple shipmen now heard it for the first time, their eyes stood out of their faces, and their mouths gaped like codfish at a fishmonger's. Pretty soon a second measure of Mold Ale was called for, and while Dick was artfully spinning out the incidents, a third followed the second. Here was the position of the parties towards the end. Our blaster, three parts drunk and one half asleep, hung helpless on his stool. Even Tom had been much delighted with the tale, and his vigilance had abated in proportion. Meanwhile Dick had gradually wormed his right arm, clear of its bonds, and was ready to risk all. And so, said Peret, ye are one of these. I was made so, replied Dick, against my will, but, and I could but get a sack or two of gold coin to my share, I should be a fool indeed to continue dwelling in a filthy cave, and standing shot and buffet like a soldier. Here be we for, good, let us then go forth into the forest to-tomorrow, ere the sun be up. Could we come honestly by a donkey? It were better. But, and we cannot, we have our four strong backs, and I warrant me, we shall come home staggering. Peret licked his lips, and this magic, he said, this password, whereby the cave is open, how call ye it, friend? Nay, none know the word, but the three chiefs. Return, Dick, but here is your great good fortune, that on this very evening I should be the bearer of a spell to open it. It is a thing not trusted twice a year beyond the captain's wallet. A spell? said our blaster, half awakening and squinting upon Dick, with one eye. I'll roint thee, no spells, I be a good Christian, ask my man Tom else. Nay, but this is white magic, said Dick, it doth not with the devil, only the power of numbers, herbs, and planets. Aye, aye, said Peret. Tis but white magic gossip, there is no sin therein, I do assure you. But proceed, good youth, this spell, in what should it consist? Nay, that I will incontinently show you, answered Dick, have ye there the ring ye took from my finger? Good, now hold it forth before you, by the extreme finger ends, at the arm's length, and over against the shining of these embers. Tis so exactly, thus then is the spell. With a haggard glance Dick saw the coast was clear between him and the door. He put up an internal prayer. Then, whipping forth his arm, he made but one snatch of the ring, and at the same instant, levering upon the table, he sent it bodily over upon the semen Tom. He, poor soul, went down bawling under the ruins, and before our blaster understood that anything was wrong, or Peret could collect his dazzled wits, Dick had run to the door, and escaped into the moonlit night. The moon, which now rowed in the mid-heavens, and the extreme whiteness of the snow, made the open ground about the harbour bright as day, and young Shelton, leaping with kilted robe among the lumber, was a conspicuous figure from afar. Tom and Peret followed him with shouts. From every drinking-shop they were joined by others, whom their cries aroused, and presently a whole fleet of sailors was in full pursuit. But Jack ashore was a bad runner, even in the fifteenth century, and Dick, besides, had a start, which he rapidly improved, until as he drew near the entrance of an arrow-lane he even paused and looked laughingly behind him. On the white floor of snow all the shipmen of Shoreby came clustering in an inky mass, and tailing out rearward in isolated clumps. Every man was shouting or screaming, every man was gesticulating with both arms in the air, some one was continually falling, and to complete the picture when one fell a dozen would fall upon the top of him. The confused mass of sounds which they rolled up as high as to the moon was partly comical, and partly terrifying to the fugitive whom they were hunting. In itself it was impotent, for he made sure no seamen in the port could run him down. But the mere volume of noise insofar as it must awake all the sleepers in Shoreby, and bring all the skulking sentries to the street, did really threaten him with danger in the front. So, spying a dark doorway at a corner, he whipped briskly into it, and let the uncouth hunt go by him, still shouting and gesticulating, and all red with hurry and white with tumbles in the snow. It was a long while indeed before this great invasion of the town by the harbour came to an end, and it was long before silence was restored. For long lost sailors were still to be heard pounding and shouting through the streets in all directions and in every quarter of the town. Chorals followed, sometimes among themselves, sometimes with the men of the patrols. Knives were drawn, blows given and received, and more than one dead body remained behind upon the snow. One a full hour later the last seamen returned grumblingly to the harbour side and his particular tavern. It may fairly be questioned if he had ever known what manner of man he was pursuing, but it was absolutely sure that he had now forgotten. By next morning there were many strange stories flying, and a little while after the legend of the devil's nocturnal visit was an article of faith with all the lads of Shoreby. But the return of the last seamen did not, even yet, set free young Shelton from his cold imprisonment in the doorway. For some time after there was a great activity of patrols and special parties came forth to make the round of the place and report to one or other of the great lords whose slumbers had been thus unusually broken. The night was already well spent before Dick ventured from his hiding place and came safe and sound but aching with cold and bruises to the door of the goat and bagpipes. As the law required there was neither fire nor candle in the house, but he groped his way into a corner of the icy guest room, found in end of the blanket, which he hitched around his shoulders and creeping close to the nearest sleeper, with soon lost in slumber. Org. The Black Arrow, by Robert Lewis Stevenson. Book Five, Chapter One. The Shrill Trumpet. Very early the next morning, before the first peep of the day, Dick arose, changed his garments, armed himself once more like a gentleman, and set forth for Lawless's den in the forest. There it will be remembered he had left Lord Foxham's papers, and to get these and be back in time for the trist with the young Duke of Gloucester, could only be managed by an early start, and the most vigorous walking. The frost was more rigorous than ever, the air windless and dry, and stinging to the nostril. The moon had gone down, but the stars were still bright and numerous, and the reflection from the snow was clear and cheerful. There was no need for a lamp to walk by, nor in that still, but rising air, the least temptation to delay. Dick had crossed the greater part of the open ground between Shoreby and the forest, and had reached the bottom of the little hill, some hundred yards below the cross of St. Bride, when, through the stillness of the Black Moorne, there rang forth the note of a trumpet, so shrill, clear and piercing, that he thought he had never heard the match of it for audibility. It was blown once, and then hurriedly a second time, and then the clash of steel succeeded. At this young Shelton pricked his ears, and drawing his sword, ran forward up the hill. Presently he came in sight of the cross, and was aware of a most fierce encounter raging on the road before it. There were seven or eight assailants, and but one to keep head against them. But so active and dexterous was this one, so desperately did he charge and scatter his opponents, so deftly, keep his footing on the ice, that already, before Dick could intervene, he had slain one, wounded another, and kept the hole in check. Still it was by a miracle that he continued his defence, and at any moment, any accident, the least slip of foot or error of hand, his life would be a forfeit. Hold ye well, sir, here is help, cried Richard, and forgetting that he was alone, and that the cry was somewhat irregular. To the arrow, to the arrow, he shouted, as he fell upon the rear of the assailants. These were stout fellows also, for they gave not an inch at this surprise, but faced about, and fell with astonishing fury upon Dick. Four against one, the steel flashed about him in the starlight. The sparks flew fiercely. One of the men opposed to him fell in the stir of the fight, he hardly knew why. Then he himself was struck across the head, though the steel cap below his hood protected him, the blow beat him down upon one knee, with a brain whirling like a windmill sail. Meanwhile the man whom he had come to rescue, instead of joining in the conflict, had, on the first sign of intervention, leaped aback and blown again, and yet more urgently and loudly, on that same shrill-voiced trumpet that began the alarm. Next moment indeed his foes were on him, and he was once more charging and fleeing, leaping, stabbing, dropping to his knee, and using indifferently sword and dagger, foot and hand, with the same unshaken courage and feverish energy and speed. But that ear-piercing summons had been heard at last. There was a muffled rushing in the snow, and in a good hour for Dick, who saw the sword-points glitter already at his throat, there poured forth out of the wood upon both sides a disorderly torment of mounted, men-at-arms, each cased in iron, and with visor lowered, each bearing his lance and rest, or his sword, bared and raised, and each carrying, so to speak, a passenger, in the shape of an archer or page, who leaped one after another from their purchase, and had presently doubled the array. The original assailants, seeing themselves outnumbered and surrounded, threw down their arms without a word. "'Seize me, these fellows,' said the hero of the trumpet, and when his order had been obeyed, he drew near to Dick and looked him in the face. Dick, returning this scrutiny, was surprised to find, in one who had displayed such strength, skill and energy, a lad no older than himself, slightly deformed, with one shoulder higher than the other, and of a pale, painful and distorted countenance, the eyes, however, were very clear and bold. "'Sir,' said this lad, ye come in good time for me, and none too early. "'My lord,' returned Dick, with a faint sense that he was in the presence of a great personage, ye are yourself so marvellous a good swordsman, that I believe ye had managed them single-handed. How, be it, it was certainly well for me that your men delayed no longer than they did. "'How knew ye who I was?' demanded the stranger. "'Even now, my lord,' Dick answered, I am ignorant of whom I speak with. "'Is it so?' asked the other, and yet ye threw yourself headfirst into this unequal battle. "'I saw one man valiantly contending against many,' replied Dick, and I had thought myself dishonored not to bear him aid. "'A singular sneer played about the young nobleman's mouth, as he made answer. "'These are very brave words, but to the more essential are ye Lancaster or York. "'My lord, I make no secret. I am clear for York,' Dick answered. "'By the mass,' replied the other, it is well for you. "'And so saying, he turned towards one of his followers. "'Let me see,' he continued, in the same sneering and cruel tones. "'Let me see a clean end of these brave gentlemen. Trust me them up.' "'There were but five survivors of the attacking party. Archers seized them by the arms. They were hurried to the borders of the wood, and each placed below a tree of suitable dimensions. The rope was adjusted, and Archer, carrying the end of it, hastily clambered overhead, and before a minute was over, and without a word passing upon either hand, the five men were swinging by the neck. "'And now,' cried the deformed leader, back to your posts, and when I summon you next, be readyer to attend. "'My lord Duke,' said one man, "'Beseech you, Terry, not here alone. Keep but a handful of lances at your hand.' "'Fellow,' said the Duke, "'I have foreborn to charge you for your slowness. Cross me not therefore. I trust my hand and my arm, for all that I be crooked. Ye were backward when the trumpet sounded, and ye are now too forward with your counsels. But it is ever so. Last with the lance and first with the tongue, let it be reversed. And with a gesture that was not without a sort of dangerous nobility, he waved them off. The footmen climbed again to their seats behind the men at arms, and the whole party moved slowly away and disappeared in twenty different directions under the cover of the forest. The day was by this time beginning to break, and the stars to fade. The first gray glimmer of dawn shone upon the countenances of the two young men who now turned once more to face each other. "'Here,' said the Duke, "'ye have seen my vengeance, which is like my blade, both sharp and ready. But I would not have you, for all Christendom, suppose me thankless. You that came to my aid with a good sword and a better courage, unless that ye recoil from my misshapeness, come to my heart.' And so saying the young leader held out his arms for an embrace. In the bottom of his heart Dick already entertained a great terror and some hatred for the man whom he had rescued. But the invitation was so worded that it would not have been merely discourteous but cruel to refuse or hesitate, and he hastened to comply. And now my Lord Duke, he said, when he had regained his freedom, do I suppose aright, are ye my Lord Duke of Gloucester? I am Richard of Gloucester, returned the other, and you, how call they you? Dick told him his name, and presented the Lord Foxham's signet, which the Duke immediately recognized. Ye come too soon, he said, but why should I complain? Ye are like me, that was here at watch two hours before the day, but this is the first sally of mine arms. Upon this adventure, Master Shelton, shall I make or mar the quality of my renown? There lie mine enemies, under two old, skilled captains, rizzing him and Brackley. Well posted for strength, I do believe, but yet upon two sides without retreat, enclosed betwixt the sea, the harbour, and the river. Me think, Shelton, here were a great blow to be stricken, and we could strike it silently, and suddenly. I do think so indeed, cried Dick, warming. Have ye, my Lord Foxham's notes, inquired the Duke. And then Dick, having explained how he was without them for the moment, made himself bold to offer information, every jot is good, of his own knowledge. And for my own part, my Lord Duke, he added, and ye had men enough, I would fall on, even at this present, for lucky, at the peep of the day, the watches of the night are over. But by day, they keep neither watch nor ward, only scour the outskirts with horsemen. Now then, when the night watch is already unarmed, and the rest are at their morning-cup, now were the best time to break them. How many do ye count? asked Gloucester. They number not two thousand, Dick replied. I have seven hundred in the woods behind us, said the Duke, seven hundred, follow from Ketley, and will be here anon. Behind these and further are four hundred more, and my Lord Foxham, half five hundred, half a day from here at Hollywood, shall we attend their coming or fall on. My Lord, said Dick, when ye hanged these five poor rogues, ye did decide the question. Churls, although they were, in these uneasy times. They will be lacked, and looked for, and the alarm be given. Therefore, my Lord, if ye do count upon the advantage of a surprise, ye have not, in my poor opinion, one whole hour in front of you. I do think so indeed, returned Crookback. Well, before an hour ye shall be in the thick on its winning spurs. A swift man to Hollywood, carrying Lord Foxham's signet, another along the road, to speed my laggards, nay, Shelton, by the rude it must be done. Therewith he once more set his trumpet to his lips and blew. This time he was not long kept waiting. In a moment the open space above the cross was filled with horse and foot. Richard of Gloucester took his place upon the steps, and dispatched, messenger after messenger, to hasten the concentration of the seven hundred men that lay hidden in the immediate neighborhood among the woods. And before a quarter of an hour had passed, all his dispositions being taken, he put himself at the head, and began to move down the hill towards Shoreby. His plan was simple. He was to seize a quarter of the town of Shoreby, lying on the right hand of the high road, and make his position good there in the narrow lanes until his reinforcements followed. If Lord Rissingham chose to retreat Richard would follow up on his rear and take him between two fires, or if he preferred to hold the town he would be shot in a trap, there to be gradually overwhelmed by force of numbers. There was but one danger, but that was imminent and great. Gloucester's seven hundred might be rolled up and cut to pieces in the first encounter, and to avoid this it was needful to make the surprise of their arrival as complete as possible. The footmen, therefore, were all once more taken up behind the riders, and Dick had the signal honour met it out to him of mounting behind Gloucester himself. For as far as there was any cover the troops moved slowly, and when they came near the end of the trees that lined the highway, stopped to breathe and reconnoiter. The sun was now well up, shining with a frosty brightness out of a yellow halo, and right over against the luminary shoreby a field of snowy roofs and ruddy gables was rolling up its columns of morning smoke. Gloucester turned round to Dick. And that poor place, he said, were people are cooking breakfast either you shall gain your spurs and I begin a life of mighty honour and glory in the world's eyes. Or both of us, as I conceive it, shall fall dead and be unheard of. Two Richards are we. Well, then, Richard Shelton, they shall be heard about these two. Their swords shall not ring more loudly on men's helmets than their names shall ring in people's ears. Dick was astonished at so great a hunger after fame, expressed with so great vehemence of voice and language, and he answered very sensibly, and quietly thought, for his part, he promised he would do his duty, and doubted not of victory if every one did the like. By this time the horses were well breathed, and the leader holding up his sword and giving rain, the whole troop of chargers broke into the gallop and thundered with their double load of fighting men down the remainder of the hill and across the snow-covered plain that still divided them from shoreby. End of Book 5, Chapter 1 Book 5, Chapter 2, of the Black Arrow This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information, or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org The Black Arrow by Robert Louis Stevenson Book 5, Chapter 2, The Battle of Shoreby The whole distance to be crossed was not above a quarter of a mile, but they had no sooner debouched beyond the cover of the trees than they were aware of people fleeing and screaming in the snowy meadows upon either hand. Almost at the same moment a great rumour began to arise and spread and grow continually louder in the town, and they were not yet halfway to the nearest house before the bells began to ring backward from the steeple. The young Duke ground his teeth together. By these so early signs of alarm he feared to find his enemies prepared, and if he failed to gain a footing in the town, he knew that his small party would soon be broken and exterminated in the open. In the town, however, the Lankesterians were far from being in so good a posture. It was, as Dick had said, the Nightguard had already doffed their harness, the rest were still hanging, unlatched, unbraced, all unprepared for battle about their quarters, and in the whole of Shoreby there were not perhaps fifty men fully armed, or fifty chargers ready to be mounted. The beating of the bells, the terrifying summons of men who ran about the streets, crying and beating upon the doors, aroused in an incredibly short space at least to score out of that half-hundred. These got speedily to horse, and the alarm still flying wildly and contrary galloped in different directions. Thus it befell that, when Richard of Gloucester reached the first house of Shoreby, he was met in the mouth of the street by a mere handful of lances whom he swept before his onset as the storm chases the bark. A hundred paces into the town Dick Shelton touched the Duke's arm. The Duke in answer gathered his reins, put the shrill trumpet to his mouth, and, blowing a concerted point, turned to the right hand out of the direct advance. Swerving like a single rider, his whole command turned after him, and, still at the full gallop of the chargers, swept up the narrow by-street. Only the last score of riders drew rain and faced a boat in the entrance. The footmen whom they carried behind them leapt at the same instant to the earth, and began some to bend their bows and others to break into and secure the houses upon either hand. Surprised at the sudden change of direction, and daunted by the firm front of the rear-guard, the few Lancasterians, after a momentary consultation, turned and rode further into town to seek for reinforcements. The quarter of the town upon which, by the advance of Dick, Richard of Gloucester, had now seized, consisted of five small streets of poor and ill-inhabited houses, occupying a very gentle eminence, and lying open towards the back. The five streets, being each secured by a good guard, the reserve would thus occupy the centre, out of shot, and yet ready to carry aid wherever it was needed. Such was the poorness of the neighbourhood that none of the Lancasterian lords, and but few of their retainers, had been lodged therein, and the inhabitants, with one accord, deserted their houses and fled, squalling along the streets, or over garden walls. In the centre, where the five ways all met, a somewhat ill-favoured ale-house displayed the sign of the checkers, and here the Duke of Gloucester chose his headquarters for the day. To Dick he assigned the guard, of one of the five streets. Go, he said, win your spurs, win glory for me, one Richard for another. I tell you, if I rise, ye shall rise by the same ladder. Go! he added, shaking him by the hand. But as soon as Dick was gone, he turned to a little shabby archer at his elbow. Go, Dutton, and that rode speedily. He added, follow that lad, if ye find him faithful, ye answer for his safety, ahead for ahead. Woe unto you, if ye return without him. But if he be faithless, or for one instant ye mist out him, stab him from behind. In the meanwhile Dick hastened to secure his post. The street he had to guard was very narrow, and closely lined with houses, which protected and overhung the roadway. But narrow and dark as it was, since it opened upon the marketplace of the town, the main issue of the battle would probably fall to be decided on that spot. The marketplace was full of townspeople fleeing in disorder. But there was as yet no sign of any foreman ready to attack, and Dick judged he had some time before him to make ready his defence. The two houses at the end stood deserted, with open doors, as the inhabitants had left them in their flight, and from these he had the furniture hastily tossed forth and piled into a barrier in the entry of the lane. A hundred men were placed at his disposal, and of these he threw the more part into the houses, where they might lie in shelter and deliver their arrows from the windows. With the rest under his own immediate eye he lined the barricade. Meanwhile the uppermost uproar and confusion had continued to prevail throughout the town. And what with the hurried clashing of bells, the sounding of trumpets, the swift movement of bodies of horse, the cries of the commanders, and the shrieks of women, the noise was almost deafening to the ear. Presently little by little the tumult began to subside, and soon after files of men in armour and bodies of archers began to assemble and form in line of battle in the marketplace. A large portion of this body were in Murray and Blue, and in the mounted night who ordered their array Dick recognized Sir Daniel Brackley. Then there befell a long pause which was followed by the almost simultaneous sounding of four trumpets from four different quarters of the town. A fifth rang an answer from the marketplace, and at the same moment the files began to move, and a shower of arrows rattled about the barricade, and sounded like blows upon the walls of the two flanking-houses. The attack had begun by a common signal on all the five issues of the quarter. Gloster was beleaguered upon every side, and Dick judged, if he would make good his post, he must rely entirely on the hundred men of his command. Seven volleys of arrows followed one upon the other, and in the very thick of the discharges Dick was touched from behind upon the arm, and found a page holding out to him a leather and jack, strengthened with bright plates of mail. It is from my Lord of Gloster, said the page, he hath observed, Sir Richard, that ye went unarmed. Dick, with a glow at his heart, at being so adressed, got to his feet, and with the assistance of the page, donned the defensive coat. Even as he did so, two arrows rattled harmlessly upon the plates, and a third struck down the page mortally wounded at his feet. Meanwhile the whole body of the enemy had been steadily drawing nearer across the marketplace, and by this time were so close at hand that Dick gave the order to return their shot. Immediately from behind the barrier, and from the windows of the houses, a counter blast of arrows sped, carrying death. But the Lancasterians, as if they had but waited for a signal, shouted loudly an answer, and began to close at a run upon the barrier. The horsemen, still hanging back, with visors lowered. Then followed an obstinate and deadly struggle, hand to hand. The assailants, wielding their falcons with one hand, strove with the other to drag down the structure of the barricade. On the other side the parts were reversed, and the defenders exposed themselves like madmen to protect their rampart. So for some minutes the contest raged, almost in silence, friend and foe, falling one upon the other. But it is always the easier to destroy, and when a single note upon the tucket recalled the attacking party from the desperate service much of the barricade had been removed piecemeal, and the whole fabric had sunk to half its height, and tottered to a general fall. And now the footmen in the marketplace fell back at a run on every side. The horsemen who had been standing in a line too deep wheeled suddenly, and made their flank into their front, and as swift as a striking adder the long steel-clad column was launched upon the ruinous barricade. Of the first two horsemen one fell rider and steed, and was ridden down by his companions. The second leaped clean upon the summit of the rampart, transpiercing an archer with his lance. Almost in the same instant he was dragged from the saddle and his horse dispatched. And then the full weight and impetus of the charge burst upon and scattered the defenders, the men at arms surmounting their falling comrades, and carried on by the fury of their onslaught dashed through Dick's broken line and poured thundering up the lane beyond, as a stream be strides and pours across a broken dam. Yet the fight was not over. Still in the narrow jaws of the entrance Dick and a few survivors plied their bills like woodmen, and already across the width of the passage there had been formed a second, a higher and a more effectual rampart of fallen men and disemboweled horses lashing in the agonies of death. Baffled by this fresh obstacle the remainder of the cavalry fell back, and as at the sight of this movement the flight of arrows redoubled from the casement of houses their retreat had, for a moment, almost degenerated into flight. Almost at the same time those who had crossed the barricade and charged further up the street, being met before the door of the checkers by the formidable hunchback and the whole reserve of the Yorkists began to come scattering backwards in the excess of disarray and terror. Dick and his fellows faced about, fresh men poured out of the houses, a cruel blast of arrows met the fugitives full in the face, while Gloucester was already riding down their rear. In the inside of a minute and a half there was no living Lankisterian in the street. Then and not till then did Dick hold up his reeking blade and give the word to cheer. Meanwhile Gloucester dismounted from his horse and came forward to inspect the post. His face was as pale as linen, but his eyes shone in his head like some strange jewel, and his voice when he spoke was horse and broken with the exultation of battle and success. He looked at the rampart which neither friend nor foe could now approach without precaution, so fiercely did the horses struggle in the throes of death, and at the sight of that great carnage he smiled upon one side. Dispatch these horses, he said, they keep you from your vantage, Richard Shelton, he added, ye have pleased me, Neil. The Lankisterians had already resumed their archery, and all the shafts fell thick in the mouth of the street, but the Duke, finding them not at all, deliberately drew his sword and dubbed Richard a night upon the spot. And now, Sir Richard, he continued, if that ye see Lord Rizingham, send me an express upon the instant. Were it your last man, let me hear of it incontinently. I had rather venture the post than lose my stroke at him. For mark me, all of ye, he added, raising his voice. If Earl Rizingham, fall by another hand than mine, I shall count this victory a defeat. Malor Duke, said one of his attendants, is your grace not weary of exposing his dear life unneedfully? Why, Terry, we hear. Catsby, return the Duke, here is the battle, not elsewhere. The rest are but feigned onslaughts. Here must we vanquish, and here for the exposure, if ye were an ugly hunchback, and the children getch dead you upon the street, ye would count your body cheaper, and an hour of glory, worth a life. How be it, if ye will, let us ride on, and visit the other post. Sir Richard here, my name's sake, he shall still hold this entry, where he wadeth to the ankle in hot blood. Him can we trust, but mark it, Sir Richard, ye are not yet done, the worst is yet to ward. Sleep not. He came right up to young Shelton, looking him hard in the eyes, and taking his hand in both of his, gave it so extreme a squeeze that the blood had nearly spurted. Dick quailed before his eyes the insane excitement, the courage, and the cruelty that he read therein, filled him with dismay about the future. This young Dukes was indeed a gallant spirit, to ride foremost in the ranks of war, but after the battle, in the days of peace, and in the circle of his trusted friends, that mind, it was to be dreaded, would continue to bring forth the fruits of death. CHAPTER III. THE BATTLE OF SHORBEY, CONCLUDED Dick once more left, to his own counsels, began to look about him. The arrow-shot had somewhat slackened. On all sides the enemy were falling back, and the greater part of the marketplace was now left empty. The snow here trampled into orange mud, there, splashed with gore, scattered all over with dead men and horses, and bristling thick with feathered arrows. On his own side the loss had been cruel. The jaws of this little street, and the ruins of the barricade, were heaped with the dead and dying, and out of the hundred men with whom he had begun the battle, there were not seventy left who could still stand to arms. At the same time the day was passing, the first reinforcements might be looked for to arrive at any moment, and the Lankesterians, already shaken by the result of their desperate but unsuccessful onslaught, were in an ill temper to support a fresh invader. There was a dial in the wall of one of the two flanking houses, and this in the frosty, wintry sunshine indicated ten of the four noon. Dick turned to the man who was at his elbow, a little insignificant archer, binding a cut in his arm. It was well fought, he said, and by my soothe they will not charge us twice. Sir, said the little archer, ye have fought right well for York and better for yourself. Never hath a man in so brief space prevailed so greatly on the Duke's affections. That he should have entrusted such a post, to one he knew not, is a marvel. But look to your head, Sir Richard, if ye be vanquished, aye, if ye give away one foot's breath, ax or cord shall punish it, and I am set, if ye do art doubtful, I will tell you honestly, here to stab you from behind. Dick looked at the little man in a maze. You, he cried, and from behind. It is right so. Return the archer, and because I like not the affair, I tell it you. You must make good the post, Sir Richard, at your peril. Oh, our crook-back is a bold blade and a good warrior, but whether in cold blood or in hot he will have all things done exact to his commandment. If any fail or hinder they shall die the death. Now, by the Saints, cried Richard, is this so, and will men follow such a leader? Nay, they follow him gleefully, replied the other, for if he be exact to punish, he is most open-handed to reward. And if he spare not the blood and sweat of others, he is ever liberal of his own, still in the first front of battle, still in the last to sleep. He will go far, will crook-back Dick a Gloucester. The young knight, if he had been before, brave and vigilant, was now all the more inclined to watchfulness and courage. His sudden favour he began to perceive had brought perils in its train, and he turned from the archer, and once more scant anxiously the marketplace, it lay empty as before. I like not this quietude, he said. Doubtless they prepare us some surprise. And as if an answer to his remark the archers began once more to advance against the barricade, and the arrows to fall thick. But there was something hesitating in the attack. They came not on roundly, but seemed rather to await a further signal. Dick looked uneasily about him, spying for a hidden danger, and sure enough about half way up the little street a door was suddenly opened from within, and the house continued for some seconds, and by both door and window to disgorge a torrent of Lankisterian archers. These as they leaped down hurriedly stood to their ranks, bent their bows, and proceeded to pour upon Dick's rear a flight of arrows. At the same time the assailants in the marketplace redoubled their shot, and began to close in stoutly upon the barricade. Dick called down his whole command out of the houses, and facing them both ways, and encouraging their valor both by word and gesture, returned as best he could the double shower of shafts that fell about his post. Meanwhile house after house was opened in the street, and the Lankisterians continued to pour out of the doors, and leaped down from the windows, shouting victory until the number of enemies upon Dick's rear was almost equal to the number in his face. It was plain that he could hold the post no longer. What was worse, even if he could have held it, it had now become useless, and the whole Yorkist army lay in a posture of helplessness upon the brink of a complete disaster. The men behind him formed the vital flaw in the general defence, and it was upon these that Dick turned, charging at the head of his men. So vigorous was the attack that the Lankisterian archers gave ground and staggered, and at last, breaking their ranks, began to crowd back into the houses from which they had so recently and so vain gloriously sallied. Meanwhile the men from the marketplace had swarmed across the undefended barricade, and fell on hotly upon the other side, and Dick must once again face about, and proceed to drive them back. Once again the spirit of his men prevailed. They cleared the street in a triumphant style, but even as they did so the others issued a gain out of the houses and took them a third time upon the rear. The Yorkists began to be scattered. Several times Dick found himself alone among his foes, and plying his bright sword for life. Several times he was conscious of a hurt, and meanwhile the fight swayed to and fro in the street without determinate result. Suddenly Dick was aware of a great trumpeting about the outskirts of the town. The way cry of York began to be rolled up to heaven, as by many and triumphant voices, and at the same time the men in front of him began to give ground rapidly, streaming out of the street, and back upon the marketplace. Someone gave the word to fly. Trumpets were blown distractedly. Some for a rally, some to charge. It was plain that a great blow had been struck, and the Lankesterians were thrown, at least for the moment, into full disorder and some degree of panic. And then, like a theatre trick, there followed the last act of shoreby battle. The men in front of Richard turned tail, like a dog that has been whistled home, and fled like the wind. At the same moment there came through the marketplace a storm of horsemen, fleeing and pursuing, the Lankesterians turning back to strike with the sword, the Yorkists riding them down at the point of the lance. Conspicuous in the melee Dick beheld the crook back. He was already giving a foretaste of that furious valor and skill to cut his way across the ranks of war, which years afterward, upon the field of Bossworth, and when he was stained with crimes, almost suffice to change the fortunes of the day and the destiny of the English throne. Evading, striking, riding down, he so forced and so maneuvered his strong horse, so aptly defended himself, and so liberally scattered death to his opponents, that he was now far ahead of the foremost of his knights, hewing his way, with the truncheon of a bloody sword, to where Lord Rysingham was rallying the bravest. A moment more and they had met, the tall, splendid and famous warrior against the deformed and sickly boy. Yet Shelton had never a doubt as to the result, and when the fight next opened for a moment, the figure of the Earl had disappeared. But still, in the first of the danger, Borkback Dick was launching his big horse and plying the truncheon of his sword. Thus, by Shelton's courage in holding the mouth of the street against the first attack, and by the opportune arrival of his seven hundred reinforcements, the lad who was afterward to be handed down to the execration of posterity under the name of Richard III, had won his first considerable fight. CHAPTER IV. The Sack of Shorby. There was not a foe left within striking distance, and Dick, as he looked ruefully about him on the remainder of his gallant force, began to count the cost of victory. He was himself, now that the danger was ended, so stiff and sore, so bruised, cut and broken, and above all so utterly exhausted by his desperate and unremitting labours in the fight that he seemed incapable of any fresh exertion. But this was not yet the hour for repose. Shorby had been taken by assault, and though an open town, and not in any manner to be charged with the resistance, it was plain that these rough fighters would be not less rough now that the fight was over, and that the more horrid part of war would fall to be enacted. Richard of Gloucester was not the captain to protect the citizens from his infuriated soldiery, and even if he had the will it might be questioned if he had the power. It was therefore Dick's business to find and to protect Joanna, and with that end he looked about him at the faces of his men. The three or four who seemed likeliest to be obedient and to keep sober he drew aside, and promising them a rich reward, and a special recommendation to the Duke, led them across the marketplace, now empty of horsemen, and into the streets upon the further side. Every here and there small combats of from two to a dozen still raged upon the open street. Here and there a house was being besieged, the defenders throwing out stools and tables on the heads of the assailants. The snow was strewn with arms and corpses, but except for these partial combats the streets were deserted, and the houses, some standing open and some shuttered and barricaded, had for the most part ceased to give out smoke. Dick, threading the skirts of these skirmishers, led his followers briskly in the direction of the Abbey Church, but when he came the length of the main street a cry of horror broke from his lips. Sir Daniel's great house had been carried by assault, the gates hung in splinters from the hinges, and a double throng kept pouring in and through the entrance seeking and carrying booty. Meanwhile in the upper stories some resistance was still being offered to the pillagers. For just as Dick came with an eye-shot of the building a casement was burst open from within, and a poor wretch in murray and blue, screaming and resisting, was forced through the embouchure and tossed into the street below. The most sickening apprehension fell upon Dick. He ran forward like one possessed, forced his way into the house among the foremost, and mounted without pause to the chamber on the third floor, where he had last parted from Joanna. It was a mere wreck. The furniture had been overthrown, the cupboards broken open, and in one place a trailing corner of the harass lay smoldering on the embers of the fire. Dick, almost without thinking, trod out the incipient conflagration, and then stood bewildered. Sir Daniel, Sir Oliver, Joanna, all were gone, but whether butchered in the route, or safe escaped from shoreby, who should say? He caught a passing archard by the tabard. Fellow, he asked, were ye here when this house was taken? Let it be, said the archer, a murion, let be your eye strike. Harky, returned Richard, too can play at that, stand and be plain. But the man, flushed with drink and battle, struck Dick upon the shoulder with one hand, while with the other he twitched away his garment. Thereupon the full wrath of the young leader burst from his control. He seized the fellow in his strong embrace and crushed him on the plates of his mailed bosom like a child. Then, holding him at arm's length, he bit him speak as he valued his life. I pray you mercy, gasped the archer, and I thought you were so angry I would have been carrier of crossing you. I was here indeed. No ye, sir Daniel, pursued Dick. Well, I do know him, returned the man. Was he in the mansion? I, sir, he was, answered the archer. But even as we entered by the yard gate he rode forth by the garden. Alone, cried Dick. He may have had a score of lances with him, said the man. Lances, no women then? asked Shelton. Troth, I saw not, said the archer. But there were none in the house, if that be your quest. I thank you, said Dick, here is a piece for your pains. But groping in his wallet, Dick found nothing. Inquire for me to-morrow, he added. Richard, sir Richard Shelton, he corrected. And I will see you handsomely rewarded. And then an idea struck Dick. He hastily descended to the courtyard, ran with all his might across the garden, and came to the great door of the church. It stood wide open. Within every corner of the pavement was crowded with fugitive burgers, surrounded by their families, and laden with the most pressures of their possessions, while at the high altar, prized and full cannonicles, were imploring the mercy of God. Even as Dick entered, the loud chorus began to thunder in the vaulted roofs. He hurried through the groups of refugees, and came to the door of the stair that led into the steeple. And here a tall churchman stepped before him, and arrested his advance. Whether, my son, he asked severely, my father, answered, Dick, I am here upon an errand of expedition. Stay me not, I command here for my lord of Gloucester. For my lord of Gloucester, repeated the priest, hath then the battle gone so sore? The battle-father is at an end, Lancaster cleans bed, my lord of Risingham, heaven rest him, left upon the field, and now with your good leave I follow mine affairs. And thrusting on one side the priest, who seemed stupefied at the news, Dick pushed open the door, and rattled up the stairs, four at a bound, and without pause or stumble, till he stepped upon the open platform at the top. The church-tower not only commanded the town as in a map, but looked far on both sides, over sea and land. It was now near upon noon, the day exceeding bright, the snow dazzling, and as Dick looked around him he could measure the consequences of the battle. A confused growling uproar reached him from the streets, and now and then, but very rarely, the clash of steel. Not a ship, not so much as a skiff, remained in harbour. But the sea was dotted with sails and row-boats laden with fugitives. Onshore, too, the surface of the snowy meadows was broken up with bands of horsemen, some cutting their way towards the borders of the forest, others who were doubtless of the Yorkish side stoutly interposing and beating them back upon the town. Over all the open ground there lay a prodigious quantity of fallen men and horses, clearly defined upon the snow. To complete the picture those of the foot soldiers as had not found place upon a ship still kept in archery combat on the borders of the port, and from the cover of the shore side taverns. In that quarrel also one or two houses had been fired and the smoke towered high in the frosty sunlight, and blew off to sea in voluminous folds. Already close upon the margin of the woods and somewhat in the line of Hollywood one particular clump of fleeing horsemen riveted the attention of the young watcher on the tower. It was fairly numerous. In no other quarter of the field did so many lancasterians still hold together. Thus they had left a wide, discoloured wake upon the snow, and Dick was able to trace them step by step from where they had left the town. While Dick's did watching them they had gained, unopposed, the first fringe of the leafless forest, and turning a little from their direction the sun fell for a moment, full on their array, as it was relieved against the dusky wood. Murray and blue, cried Dick, I swear it, Murray and blue. The next moment he was descending the stairway. It was now his business to seek out the Duke of Gloucester, who alone in the disorder of the forces might be able to supply him with a sufficiency of men. The fighting in the main town was now practically at an end, and as Dick ran hither and thither, seeking the commander, the streets were thick with wandering soldiers, some laden with more booty than they could well stagger under, others shouting drunk. None of them, when questioned, had the least notion of the Duke's whereabouts, and at last it was by sheer good fortune that Dick found him, where he sat in the saddle, directing operations to dislodge the archers from the harbour side. Sir Richard Shelton, ye are well found, he said, I owe you a thing that I value little, my life, and one that I can never pay you for, this victory. Catspey, if I had ten such captains as Sir Richard, I would march forth right on London, but now, sir, claim your reward. Freely, my lord, said Dick, freely and loudly, one hath escaped to whom I owe some grudges, and taken with him, one whom I owe love and service, give me, then, fifty lances that I may pursue, and for any obligation that your graciousness is pleased to allow, it shall be clean discharged. I'll call ye him, inquired the Duke, sir Daniel Brackley, answered Richard. O, to-pon him, double face, quite Gloucester. Here is no reward, sir Richard, here is a fresh service offered, and if that ye bring his head to me, a fresh debt upon my conscience. Catspey, get him these lances, and you, sir, be think ye in the meanwhile, what pleasure, honour, or profit it shall be mine to give you. Just then the Yorkist skirmishers carried one of the shoreside taverns, swarming in upon it on three sides, and driving out or taking its defenders. Crookback Dick was pleased to cheer the exploit, and pushing his horse a little nearer, called to see the prisoners. There were four or five of them, two men of my lord's sorbys, and one of lord Rysingham's, among the number, and at last, but in Dick's eyes, not least, a tall, shambling, grizzled old Shipman, between drunk and sober, and with a dog whimpering and jumping at his heels. The young Duke passed them for a moment under a severe review. Good, he said, hang them. And he turned the other way to watch the progress of the fight. My lord, said Dick, so pleased you I have found my reward, grant me the life and liberty of yon old Shipman. He returned and looked the speaker in the face. Sir Richard, he said, I make not war with Peacock's feathers, but steel shafts, those that are mine enemies I slay, and that, without excuse or favour, for be-think ye, in this realm of England that is so torn in pieces, there is not a man of mine, but hath a brother or a friend upon the other party. If then I did begin to grant these pardons, I might sheath my sword. It may be so, my lord, and yet I will be over-bold, and at the risk of your disfavor, recall your lordship's promise, replied Dick. Richard of Gloucester flushed. Make it right well, he said harshly, I love not mercy, nor yet mercy mongers, ye have this day laid the foundations of high fortune. If ye oppose to me my word, which I have plighted, I will yield. But by the glory of heaven, there your favour dies. Mine is the loss, said Dick. Give him this sailor, said the Duke, and wheeling his horse he turned his back upon young Shelton. Dick was nor glad nor sorry. He had seen too much of the young Duke to set great store on his affection, and the origin and growth of his own favour had been too flimsy and too rapid to inspire much confidence. One thing alone he feared, that the vindictive leader might revoke the offer of the lances. But here he did justice neither to Gloucester's honour, such as it was, nor above all to his decision. If he had once judged Dick to be the right man to pursue Sir Daniel, he was not one to change, and he soon proved it by shouting after Cotsby to be speedy, for the paladin was waiting. In the meanwhile Dick turned to the old shipman, who had seemed equally indifferent to his condemnation and to his subsequent release. Our blaster, said Dick, I have done you ill, but now by the root I think I have cleared the score. But the old skipper only looked upon him dolly and held his peace. Come, continued Dick, a life is a life, old shrew, and it is more than ships or liquor, say ye forgive me, for if your life is worth nothing to you, it hath cost me the beginnings of my fortune. Come, I have paid for it dearly, be not so churlish. And I had my ship, said our blaster, I would have been forth and safe on the high seas, I and my man Tom, but ye took my ship gossip, and I am a beggar, and for my man Tom, a naïve fellow in Russet shot him down, murion, quote he, and never spake again. Man was the last of his words, and the poor spirit of him passed. Ah, we'll never sell no more, will my Tom. Dick was seized with unavailing penitence and pity. He sought to take the skipper's hand, but our blaster avoided his touch. Nay, said he, let be, ye have played the devil with me, and let that content you. The words died in Richard's throat. He saw through tears the poor old man, bemused with liquor and sorrow, go shambling away with bowed head across the snow, and the unnoticed dog whimpering at his heels, and for the first time began to understand the desperate game that we play in life, and how a thing once done is not to be changed or remedied by any penitence. But there was no time left to him for vain regret. Catzby had now collected the horseman, and riding up to Dick, he dismounted and offered him his own horse. This morning, he said, I was somewhat jealous of your favour, it hath not been of a long growth, and now, Sir Richard, it is with a very good heart that I offer you this horse to ride away with. Suffer me yet a moment, replied Dick, this favour of mine, whereupon was it founded? On your name, answered Catzby, it is my lord chief's superstition. Where my name Richard, I should be in Earl to-morrow. Well, sir, I thank you. Return, Dick, and since I am little likely to follow these great fortunes, I will even say farewell. I will not pretend I was displeased to thank myself upon the road to fortune, but I will not pretend neither that I am oversorry to be done with it. Command and riches they are brave things to be sure. But a word in your ear, yawn, Duke of yours, he is a fearsome lad. Catzby laughed. Nay, said he, of a verity, he that rides with cricket Dick will ride deep. Well, God, keep us all from evil, speed ye well. Thereupon Dick put himself at the head of his men, and giving the word of command rode off. He made straight across the town, following what he supposed to be the root of Sir Daniel, and spying around for any signs that might decide if he were right. The streets were strewn with the dead, and the wounded, whose fate in the bitter frost was far more the pitiable. Gangs of the victors went from house to house pillaging and stabbing and sometimes singing together as they went. From different quarters as he rode on the sounds of violence and outrage came to young Shelton's ears. Now the blows of sledgehammers on some barricaded door, and now the miserable shrieks of women. Dick's heart had just been awakened. He had just seen the cruel consequences of his own behavior. And the thought of the sum of the misery that was now acting in the whole of Shorby filled him with despair. At length he reached the outskirts, and there sure enough he saw straight before him the same broad, beaten track across the snow that he had marked from the summit of the church. Here then he went the faster on, but still as he rode he kept a bright eye upon the fallen men and horses that lay beside the track. Many of these he was relieved to see were Sir Daniel's colors, and the faces of some who lay upon their backs he even recognized. About half way between the town and the forest, those whom he was following had plainly been assailed by archers, for the corpses lay pretty closely scattered, each pierced by an arrow, and here Dick, spied among the rest, the body of a very young lad whose face was somehow hauntingly familiar to him. He halted his troop, dismounted and raised the lad's head. As he did so the hood fell back, and a profusion of long brown hair unrolled itself. At the same time the eyes opened. Ah, lion-driver! said a feeble voice. She is further on, right, right fast. And then the poor young lady fainted once again. One of Dick's men carried a flask of some strong cordial, and with this Dick succeeded in reviving consciousness. Then he took Joanna's friend upon his saddle-bow, and once more pushed towards the forest. Why do ye take me? said the girl. Yee, but delay your speed. Nay, Mr. Srizzingham, replied Dick, sure be is full of blood and drunkenness and riot. Here ye are safe, content ye. I will not be beholden to any of your faction, she cried, set me down. Madam, ye know not what ye say. Return, Dick. Ye are hurt. I am not, she said. It was my horse with slain. Edge matters not one jot, replied Richard. Ye are here in the midst of open snow, and compassed about with enemies. Whether ye will or not, I carry ye with me. Glad am I to have the occasion, for thus shall I repay some portion of our debt. For a little while she was silent. Then very suddenly she asked. My uncle? My lord Rizzingham.