tinued Dick, "a life is a life, old shrew, and it is more
than ships or liquor. Say ye forgive me; for if your life be worth
nothing to you, it hath cost me the beginnings of my fortune. Come, I
have paid for it dearly; be not so churlish."

"An I had had my ship," said Arblaster, "I would 'a' been forth and safe
on the high seas--I and my man Tom. But ye took my ship, gossip, and I'm
a beggar; and for my man Tom, a knave fellow in russet shot him down.
'Murrain!' quoth he, and spake never again. 'Murrain' was the last of
his words, and the poor spirit of him passed. 'A will never sail no
more, will my Tom."

Dick was seized with unavailing penitence and pity; he sought to take
the skipper's hand, but Arblaster avoided his touch.

"Nay," said he, "let be. Y' have played the devil with me, and let that
content you."

The words died in Richard's throat. He saw, through tears, the poor old
man, bemused with liquor and sorrow, go shambling away, with bowed head,
across the snow, and the unnoticed dog whimpering at his heels, and for
the first time began to understand the desperate game that we play in
life; and how a thing once done is not to be changed or remedied, by any
penitence.

But there was no time left to him for vain regret. Catesby had now
collected the horsemen, and riding up to Dick he dismounted, and offered
him his own horse.

"This morning," he said, "I was somewhat jealous of your favour; it hath
not been of a long growth; and now, Sir Richard, it is with a very good
heart that I offer you this horse--to ride away with."

"Suffer me yet a moment," replied Dick. "This favour of mine--whereupon
was it founded?"

"Upon your name," answered Catesby. "It is my lord's chief superstition.
Were my name Richard, I should be an earl to-morrow."

"Well, sir, I thank you," returned Dick; "and since I am little likely
to follow these great fortunes, I will even say farewell. I will not
pretend I was displeased to think myself upon the road to fortune; but I
will not pretend, neither, that I am over-sorry to be done with it.
Command and riches, they are brave things, to be sure; but a word in
your ear--yon duke of yours, he is a fearsome lad."

Catesby laughed.

"Nay," said he, "of a verity he that rides with Crooked Dick will ride
deep. Well, God keep us all from evil! Speed ye well."

Thereupon Dick put himself at the head of his men, and giving the word
of command, rode off.

He made straight across t