the concentration of the seven hundred men that lay hidden in the

immediate neighbourhood among the woods; and before a quarter of an

hour

had passed, all his dispositions being taken, he put himself at their

head, and began to move down the hill towards Shoreby.

His plan was simple. He was to seize a quarter of the town of Shoreby

lying on the right hand of the high road, and make his position good

there in the narrow lanes until his reinforcements followed.

If Lord Risingham chose to retreat, Richard would follow upon his rear,

and take him between two fires; or, if he preferred to hold the town, he

would be shut in a trap, there to be gradually overwhelmed by force of

numbers.

There was but one danger, but that was imminent and great--Gloucester's

seven hundred might be rolled up and cut to pieces in the first

encounter, and, to avoid this, it was needful to make the surprise of

their arrival as complete as possible.

The footmen, therefore, were all once more taken up behind the riders,

and Dick had the signal honour meted out to him of mounting behind

Gloucester himself. For as far as there was any cover the troops moved

slowly, and when they came near the end of the trees that lined the

highway, stopped to breathe and reconnoitre.

The sun was now well up, shining with a frosty brightness out of a yellow

The Black Arrow