beside himself with fury, overtook the waggons, and with the truncheon of

a sword, began to cut the drivers down. Some leaped from their places

and plunged into the wood; the others he sabred as they sat, cursing them

the while for cowards in a voice that was scarce human.

All this time the noise in the distance had continued to increase; the

rumble of carts, the clatter of horses, the cries of men, a great,

confused rumour, came swelling on the wind; and it was plain that the

rout of a whole army was pouring, like an inundation, down the road.

Dick stood sombre. He had meant to follow the highway till the turn for

Holywood, and now he had to change his plan. But above all, he had

recognised the colours of Earl Risingham, and he knew that the battle had

gone finally against the rose of Lancaster. Had Sir Daniel joined, and

was he now a fugitive and ruined? or had he deserted to the side of York,

and was he forfeit to honour? It was an ugly choice.

"Come," he said, sternly; and, turning on his heel, he began to walk

forward through the grove, with Matcham limping in his rear.

For some time they continued to thread the forest in silence. It was now

growing late; the sun was setting in the plain beyond Kettley; the

tree-tops overhead glowed golden; but the shadows had begun to grow

darker and the chill of the night to fall.

"If there were anything to eat!" cried Dick, suddenly, pausing as he

spoke.

The Black Arrow