CHAPTER II--A SKIRMISH IN THE DARK

Thoroughly drenched and chilled, the two adventurers returned to their

position in the gorse.

I pray Heaven that Capper make good speed!" said Dick. "I vow a candle

to St. Mary of Shoreby if he come before the hour!"

Y' are in a hurry, Master Dick?" asked Greensheve.

Ay, good fellow," answered Dick; "for in that house lieth my lady, whom

I love, and who should these be that lie about her secretly by night?

Unfriends, for sure!"

Well," returned Greensheve, "an John come speedily, we shall give a good

account of them. They are not two score at the outside--I judge so by

the spacing of their sentries--and, taken where they are, lying so

widely, one score would scatter them like sparrows. And yet, Master

Dick, an she be in Sir Daniel's power already, it will little hurt that

she should change into another's. Who should these be?"

I do suspect the Lord of Shoreby," Dick replied. "When came they?"

They began to come, Master Dick," said Greensheve, "about the time ye

crossed the wall. I had not lain there the space of a minute ere I

The Black Arrow