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The rest will run; even let them. And now, lads, let no man draw an
arrow; ye will but hurt friends. Take to the steel, and keep to the
steel; and if we have the uppermost, I promise every man of you a gold
noble when I come to mine estate."
Out of the odd collection of broken men, thieves, murderers, and ruined
peasantry, whom Duckworth had gathered together to serve the purposes of
his revenge, some of the boldest and the most experienced in war had
volunteered to follow Richard Shelton. The service of watching Sir
Daniel's movements in the town of Shoreby had from the first been irksome
to their temper, and they had of late begun to grumble loudly and
threaten to disperse. The prospect of a sharp encounter and possible
spoils restored them to good humour, and they joyfully prepared for
battle.
Their long tabards thrown aside, they appeared, some in plain green
jerkins, and some in stout leathern jacks; under their hoods many wore
bonnets strengthened by iron plates; and, for offensive armour, swords,
daggers, a few stout boar-spears, and a dozen of bright bills, put them
in a posture to engage even regular feudal troops. The bows, quivers,
and tabards were concealed among the gorse, and the two bands set
resolutely forward.
Dick, when he had reached the other side of the house, posted his six men
in a line, about twenty yards from the garden wall, and took position
himself a few paces in front. Then they all shouted with one voice, and
closed upon the enemy.
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