mere recollection. "Nay, sir, saving your respect, I had as lief 'a' met

the devil in person; and to speak truth, I am yet all a-quake. But what

made ye, sir, in such a guise?"

Sir Daniel's brow grew suddenly black with anger.

"What made I?" he said. "Ye do well to mind me of it! What? I skulked

for my poor life in my own wood of Tunstall, Dick. We were ill sped at

the battle; we but got there to be swept among the rout. Where be all my

good men-at-arms? Dick, by the mass, I know not! We were swept down;

the shot fell thick among us; I have not seen one man in my own colours

since I saw three fall. For myself, I came sound to Shoreby, and being

mindful of the Black Arrow, got me this gown and bell, and came softly by

the path for the Moat House. There is no disguise to be compared with

it; the jingle of this bell would scare me the stoutest outlaw in the

forest; they would all turn pale to hear it. At length I came by you and

Matcham. I could see but evilly through this same hood, and was not sure

of you, being chiefly, and for many a good cause, astonished at the

finding you together. Moreover, in the open, where I had to go slowly

and tap with my staff, I feared to disclose myself. But see," he added,

this poor shrew begins a little to revive. A little good canary will

comfort me the heart of it."

The knight, from under his long dress, produced a stout bottle, and began

to rub the temples and wet the lips of the patient, who returned

gradually to consciousness, and began to roll dim eyes from one to

another.

The Black Arrow