At this young Shelton pricked his ears, and drawing his sword, ran

forward up the hill.

Presently he came in sight of the cross, and was aware of a most fierce

encounter raging on the road before it. There were seven or eight

assailants, and but one to keep head against them; but so active and

dexterous was this one, so desperately did he charge and scatter his

opponents, so deftly keep his footing on the ice, that already, before

Dick could intervene, he had slain one, wounded another, and kept the

whole in check.

Still, it was by a miracle that he continued his defence, and at any

moment, any accident, the least slip of foot or error of hand, his life

would be a forfeit.

Hold ye well, sir! Here is help!" cried Richard; and forgetting that he

was alone, and that the cry was somewhat irregular, "To the Arrow! to the

Arrow!" he shouted, as he fell upon the rear of the assailants.

These were stout fellows also, for they gave not an inch at this

surprise, but faced about, and fell with astonishing fury upon Dick.

Four against one, the steel flashed about him in the starlight; the

sparks flew fiercely; one of the men opposed to him fell--in the stir of

the fight he hardly knew why; then he himself was struck across the head,

and though the steel cap below his hood protected him, the blow beat him

down upon one knee, with a brain whirling like a windmill sail.

The Black Arrow