moat, and was instantly extinguished.

It had served its purpose. The marksmen had had time to see the willow,

and Dick ensconced among its boughs; and though the lad instantly sprang

higher up the bank, and ran for his life, he was yet not quick enough to

escape a shot. An arrow struck him in the shoulder, another grazed his

head.

The pain of his wounds lent him wings; and he had no sooner got upon the

level than he took to his heels and ran straight before him in the dark,

without a thought for the direction of his flight.

For a few steps missiles followed him, but these soon ceased; and when at

length he came to a halt and looked behind, he was already a good way

from the Moat House, though he could still see the torches moving to and

fro along its battlements.

He leaned against a tree, streaming with blood and water, bruised,

wounded, alone, and unarmed. For all that, he had saved his life for

that bout; and though Joanna remained behind in the power of Sir Daniel,

he neither blamed himself for an accident that it had been beyond his

power to prevent, nor did he augur any fatal consequences to the girl

herself. Sir Daniel was cruel, but he was not likely to be cruel to a

young gentlewoman who had other protectors, willing and able to bring him

to account. It was more probable he would make haste to marry her to

some friend of his own.

The Black Arrow