a-quake. But what
made ye, sir, in such a guise?"

Sir Daniel's brow grew suddenly black with anger.

"What made I?" he said. "Ye do well to mind me of it! What? I skulked
for my poor life in my own wood of Tunstall, Dick. We were ill sped at
the battle; we but got there to be swept among the rout. Where be all
my good men-at-arms? Dick, by the mass, I know not! We were swept down;
the shot fell thick among us; I have not seen one man in my own colours
since I saw three fall. For myself, I came sound to Shoreby, and being
mindful of the Black Arrow, got me this gown and bell, and came softly
by the path for the Moat House. There is no disguise to be compared with
it; the jingle of this bell would scare me the stoutest outlaw in the
forest; they would all turn pale to hear it. At length I came by you and
Matcham. I could see but evilly through this same hood, and was not sure
of you, being chiefly, and for many a good cause, astonished at the
finding you together. Moreover, in the open, where I had to go slowly
and tap with my staff, I feared to disclose myself. But see," he added,
"this poor shrew begins a little to revive. A little good canary will
comfort me the heart of it."

The knight, from under his long dress, produced a stout bottle, and
began to rub the temples and wet the lips of the patient, who returned
gradually to consciousness, and began to roll dim eyes from one to
another.

"What cheer, Jack!" said Dick. "It was no leper, after all; it was Sir
Daniel! See!"

"Swallow me a good draught of this," said the knight. "This will give
you manhood. Thereafter, I will give you both a meal, and we shall all
three on to Tunstall. For, Dick," he continued, laying forth bread and
meat upon the grass, "I will avow to you, in all good conscience, it
irks me sorely to be safe between four walls. Not since I backed a horse
have I been pressed so hard; peril of life, jeopardy of land and
livelihood, and to sum up, all these losels in the wood to hunt me down.
But I be not yet shent. Some of my lads will pick me their way home.
Hatch hath ten fellows; Selden, he had six. Nay, we shall soon be strong
again; and if I can but buy my peace with my right fortunate and
undeserving Lord of York, why, Dick, we'll be a man again and go
a-horseback!"

And so saying, the knight filled himself a horn of canary, and pledged
his ward in dumb show.

"Selden," Dick faltered--"Selden--" And he paused again.

Sir Daniel put down