presenting the priest's letter. "And please you farther, ye were best

make all speed to Risingham; for on the way hither we encountered one

riding furiously with letters, and by his report, my Lord of Risingham

was sore bested, and lacked exceedingly your presence."

"How say you? Sore bested?" returned the knight. "Nay, then, we will

make speed sitting down, good Richard. As the world goes in this poor

realm of England, he that rides softliest rides surest. Delay, they say,

begetteth peril; but it is rather this itch of doing that undoes men;

mark it, Dick. But let me see, first, what cattle ye have brought.

Selden, a link here at the door!"

And Sir Daniel strode forth into the village street, and, by the red glow

of a torch, inspected his new troops. He was an unpopular neighbour and

an unpopular master; but as a leader in war he was well-beloved by those

who rode behind his pennant. His dash, his proved courage, his

forethought for the soldiers' comfort, even his rough gibes, were all to

the taste of the bold blades in jack and salet.

"Nay, by the rood!" he cried, "what poor dogs are these? Here be some as

crooked as a bow, and some as lean as a spear. Friends, ye shall ride in

the front of the battle; I can spare you, friends. Mark me this old

villain on the piebald! A two-year mutton riding on a hog would look

more soldierly! Ha! Clipsby, are ye there, old rat? Y' are a man I

could lose with a good heart; ye shall go in front of all, with a bull's

eye painted on your jack, to be the better butt for archery; sirrah, ye

shall show me the way."

The Black Arrow