falling, without pause or variation, in one even, blinding cloud; the

wind had been strangled, and now blew no longer; and the whole world was

blotted out and sheeted down below that silent inundation. There was

great danger of wandering by the way and perishing in drifts; and

Lawless, keeping half a step in front of his companion, and holding his

head forward like a hunting dog upon the scent, inquired his way of every

tree, and studied out their path as though he were conning a ship among

dangers.

About a mile into the forest they came to a place where several ways met,

under a grove of lofty and contorted oaks. Even in the narrow horizon of

the falling snow, it was a spot that could not fail to be recognised; and

Lawless evidently recognised it with particular delight.

"Now, Master Richard," said he, "an y' are not too proud to be the guest

of a man who is neither a gentleman by birth nor so much as a good

Christian, I can offer you a cup of wine and a good fire to melt the

marrow in your frozen bones."

"Lead on, Will," answered Dick. "A cup of wine and a good fire! Nay, I

would go a far way round to see them."

Lawless turned aside under the bare branches of the grove, and, walking

resolutely forward for some time, came to a steepish hollow or den, that

had now drifted a quarter full of snow. On the verge, a great beech-tree

hung, precariously rooted; and here the old outlaw, pulling aside some

bushy underwood, bodily disappeared into the earth.

The Black Arrow