Presently, the wide slot of the pursued came out upon the high road from

Holywood; it was there, for a moment, indistinguishable; and, where it

once more plunged into the unbeaten snow upon the farther side, Dick was

surprised to see it narrower and lighter trod. Plainly, profiting by the

road, Sir Daniel had begun already to scatter his command.

At all hazards, one chance being equal to another, Dick continued to

pursue the straight trail; and that, after an hour's riding, in which it

led into the very depths of the forest, suddenly split, like a bursting

shell, into two dozen others, leading to every point of the compass.

Dick drew bridle in despair. The short winter's day was near an end; the

sun, a dull red orange, shorn of rays, swam low among the leafless

thickets; the shadows were a mile long upon the snow; the frost bit

cruelly at the finger-nails; and the breath and steam of the horses

mounted in a cloud.

Well, we are outwitted," Dick confessed. "Strike we for Holywood, after

all. It is still nearer us than Tunstall--or should be by the station of

the sun."

So they wheeled to their left, turning their backs on the red shield of

sun, and made across country for the abbey. But now times were changed

with them; they could no longer spank forth briskly on a path beaten firm

by the passage of their foes, and for a goal to which that path itself

conducted them. Now they must plough at a dull pace through the

encumbering snow, continually pausing to decide their course, continually

The Black Arrow