with some confusion of manner that Dick arose from the cross and stepped

down the bank to meet his prisoner.

I thank you, my lord, for your exactitude," he said, louting very low.

Will it please your lordship to set foot to earth?"

"Are ye here alone, young man?" inquired the other.

I was not so simple," answered Dick; "and, to be plain with your

lordship, the woods upon either hand of this cross lie full of mine

honest fellows lying on their weapons."

"Y' 'ave done wisely," said the lord. "It pleaseth me the rather, since

last night ye fought foolhardily, and more like a salvage Saracen lunatic

than any Christian warrior. But it becomes not me to complain that had

the undermost."

Ye had the undermost indeed, my lord, since ye so fell," returned Dick;

but had the waves not holpen me, it was I that should have had the

worst. Ye were pleased to make me yours with several dagger marks, which

I still carry. And in fine, my lord, methinks I had all the danger, as

well as all the profit, of that little blind-man's mellay on the beach."

Y' are shrewd enough to make light of it, I see," returned the stranger.

Nay, my lord, not shrewd," replied Dick, "in that I shoot at no

advantage to myself. But when, by the light of this new day, I see how

The Black Arrow