--"

"My lord," cried Dick, "they are these same outlaws that ye blame me for
consorting with."

"Let them be what they will, they can fight," returned Lord Foxham.
"Help me, then; and if between us we regain the maid, upon my knightly
honour, she shall marry you!"

Dick bent his knee before his prisoner; but he, leaping up lightly from
the cross, caught the lad up and embraced him like a son.

"Come," he said, "an y'are to marry Joan, we must be early friends."

CHAPTER IV

THE "GOOD HOPE"

An hour thereafter, Dick was back at the Goat and Bagpipes, breaking his
fast, and receiving the report of his messengers and sentries. Duckworth
was still absent from Shoreby; and this was frequently the case, for he
played many parts in the world, shared many different interests, and
conducted many various affairs. He had founded that fellowship of the
Black Arrow, as a ruined man longing for vengeance and money; and yet
among those who knew him best, he was thought to be the agent and
emissary of the great king-maker of England, Richard, Earl of Warwick.

In his absence, at any rate, it fell upon Richard Shelton to command
affairs in Shoreby; and, as he sat at meat, his mind was full of care,
and his face heavy with consideration. It had been determined, between
him and the Lord Foxham, to make one bold stroke that evening, and, by
brute force, to set Joanna free. The obstacles, however, were many; and
as one after another of his scouts arrived, each brought him more
discomfortable news.

Sir Daniel was alarmed by the skirmish of the night before. He had
increased the garrison of the house in the garden; but not content with
that, he had stationed horsemen in all the neighbouring lanes, so that
he might have instant word of any movement. Meanwhile, in the court of
his mansion, steeds stood saddled, and the riders, armed at every point,
awaited but the signal to ride.

The adventure of the night appeared more and more difficult of
execution, till suddenly Dick's countenance lightened.

"Lawless!" he cried, "you that were a shipman, can ye steal me a ship?"

"Master Dick," replied Lawless, "if ye would back me, I would agree to
steal York Minster."

Presently after, these two set forth and descended to the harbour. It
was a considerable basin, lying among sand-hills, and surrounded with
patches of down, ancient ruinous lumber, and tumble-down slums of the
town. Many decked ships and many open boats either la