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a messenger came, in hot haste, from my Lord of Risingham.
"
Sir Daniel," the messenger said, "ye lose great honour, by my sooth!
The fight began again this morning ere the dawn, and we have beaten their
van and scattered their right wing. Only the main battle standeth fast.
An we had your fresh men, we should tilt you them all into the river.
What, sir knight! Will ye be the last? It stands not with your good
credit."
"Nay," cried the knight, "I was but now upon the march. Selden, sound me
the tucket. Sir, I am with you on the instant. It is not two hours
since the more part of my command came in, sir messenger. What would ye
have? Spurring is good meat, but yet it killed the charger. Bustle,
boys!"
By this time the tucket was sounding cheerily in the morning, and from
all sides Sir Daniel's men poured into the main street and formed before
the inn. They had slept upon their arms, with chargers saddled, and in
ten minutes five-score men-at-arms and archers, cleanly equipped and
briskly disciplined, stood ranked and ready. The chief part were in Sir
Daniel's livery, murrey and blue, which gave the greater show to their
array. The best armed rode first; and away out of sight, at the tail of
the column, came the sorry reinforcement of the night before. Sir Daniel
looked with pride along the line.
"
Here be the lads to serve you in a pinch," he said.
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