Meantime the whole body of the enemy had been steadily drawing nearer

across the market-place; and by this time were so close at hand that Dick

gave the order to return their shot. Immediately, from behind the

barrier and from the windows of the houses, a counterblast of arrows

sped, carrying death. But the Lancastrians, as if they had but waited

for a signal, shouted loudly in answer; and began to close at a run upon

the barrier, the horsemen still hanging back, with visors lowered.

Then followed an obstinate and deadly struggle, hand to hand. The

assailants, wielding their falchions with one hand, strove with the other

to drag down the structure of the barricade. On the other side, the

parts were reversed; and the defenders exposed themselves like madmen to

protect their rampart. So for some minutes the contest raged almost in

silence, friend and foe falling one upon another. But it is always the

easier to destroy; and when a single note upon the tucket recalled the

attacking party from this desperate service, much of the barricade had

been removed piecemeal, and the whole fabric had sunk to half its height,

and tottered to a general fall.

And now the footmen in the market-place fell back, at a run, on every

side. The horsemen, who had been standing in a line two deep, wheeled

suddenly, and made their flank into their front; and as swift as a

striking adder, the long, steel-clad column was launched upon the ruinous

barricade.

Of the first two horsemen, one fell, rider and steed, and was ridden down

by his companions. The second leaped clean upon the summit of the

The Black Arrow