BOOK IV--THE DISGUISE

CHAPTER I--THE DEN

The place where Dick had struck the line of a high-road was not far from

Holywood, and within nine or ten miles of Shoreby-on-the-Till; and here,

after making sure that they were pursued no longer, the two bodies

separated. Lord Foxham's followers departed, carrying their wounded

master towards the comfort and security of the great abbey; and Dick, as

he saw them wind away and disappear in the thick curtain of the falling

snow, was left alone with near upon a dozen outlaws, the last remainder

of his troop of volunteers.

Some were wounded; one and all were furious at their ill-success and long

exposure; and though they were now too cold and hungry to do more, they

grumbled and cast sullen looks upon their leaders. Dick emptied his

purse among them, leaving himself nothing; thanked them for the courage

they had displayed, though he could have found it more readily in his

heart to rate them for poltroonery; and having thus somewhat softened the

effect of his prolonged misfortune, despatched them to find their way,

either severally or in pairs, to Shoreby and the Goat and Bagpipes.

For his own part, influenced by what he had seen on board of the Good

Hope, he chose Lawless to be his companion on the walk. The snow was

The Black Arrow