Shelton, while I lift him by the shoulders, and let us lay him in his

house. This will be a rare shog to poor Sir Oliver; he will turn paper

colour; he will pray like a windmill."

They took up the old archer, and carried him between them into his house,

where he had dwelt alone. And there they laid him on the floor, out of

regard for the mattress, and sought, as best they might, to straighten

and compose his limbs.

Appleyard's house was clean and bare. There was a bed, with a blue

cover, a cupboard, a great chest, a pair of joint-stools, a hinged table

in the chimney corner, and hung upon the wall the old soldier's armoury

of bows and defensive armour. Hatch began to look about him curiously.

"Nick had money," he said. "He may have had three score pounds put by.

I would I could light upon't! When ye lose an old friend, Master

Richard, the best consolation is to heir him. See, now, this chest. I

would go a mighty wager there is a bushel of gold therein. He had a

strong hand to get, and a hard hand to keep withal, had Appleyard the

archer. Now may God rest his spirit! Near eighty year he was afoot and

about, and ever getting; but now he's on the broad of his back, poor

shrew, and no more lacketh; and if his chattels came to a good friend, he

would be merrier, methinks, in heaven."

"Come, Hatch," said Dick, "respect his stone-blind eyes. Would ye rob

the man before his body? Nay, he would walk!"

The Black Arrow