with me, the saints alone can tell!"

"Nay," said Matcham, "I would 'a' saved us both, good Dick, for I can

swim."

"Can ye so?" cried Dick, with open eyes. It was the one manly

accomplishment of which he was himself incapable. In the order of the

things that he admired, next to having killed a man in single fight came

swimming. "Well," he said, "here is a lesson to despise no man. I

promised to care for you as far as Holywood, and, by the rood, Jack, y'

are more capable to care for me."

Well, Dick, we're friends now," said Matcham.

Nay, I never was unfriends," answered Dick. "Y' are a brave lad in your

way, albeit something of a milksop, too. I never met your like before

this day. But, prithee, fetch back your breath, and let us on. Here is

no place for chatter."

"My foot hurts shrewdly," said Matcham.

"Nay, I had forgot your foot," returned Dick. "Well, we must go the

gentlier. I would I knew rightly where we were. I have clean lost the

path; yet that may be for the better, too. An they watch the ferry, they

watch the path, belike, as well. I would Sir Daniel were back with two

score men; he would sweep me these rascals as the wind sweeps leaves.

Come, Jack, lean ye on my shoulder, ye poor shrew. Nay, y' are not tall

The Black Arrow