NIGHT IN THE WOODS (_Concluded_): DICK AND JOAN 308

VII. DICK'S REVENGE 320

VIII. CONCLUSION 325

ILLUSTRATIONS

FACING PAGE

"Now, mark me, mine host," Sir Daniel said, "follow but mine
orders and I shall be your good lord ever" 26

In the fork, like a mastheaded seaman, there stood a man in a
green tabard, spying far and wide 56

Lastly, a little before dawn, a spearman had come staggering to
the moat side, pierced by arrows 98

"We must be in the dungeons," Dick remarked 128

The little cockle dipped into the swell and staggered under
every gust of wind 174

And Lawless, keeping half a step in front of his companion and
holding his head forward like a hunting-dog upon the scent, ...
studied out their path 198

First came the bride, a sorry sight, as pale as the winter,
clinging to Sir Daniel's arm 234

There were seven or eight assailants, and but one to keep head
against them 262

"But be at rest; the Black Arrow flieth nevermore" 324

PROLOGUE

PROLOGUE

JOHN AMEND-ALL

On a certain afternoon, in the late springtime, the bell upon Tunstall
Moat House was heard ringing at an unaccustomed hour. Far and near, in
the forest and in the fields along the river, people began to desert
their labours and hurry towards the sound; and in Tunstall hamlet a
group of poor countryfolk stood wondering at the summons.

Tunstall hamlet at that period, in the reign of old King Henry VI., wore
much the same appearance as it wears to-day. A score or so of houses,
heavily framed with oak, stood scattered in a long green valley
ascending from the river. At the foot, the road crossed a bridge, and
mounting on the other side, disappeared into the fringes of the forest
on its way to the Moat House, and further forth to Holywood Abbey.
Half-way up the village, the church stood among yews. On every side the
slopes were crowned and the view bounded by the green elms and greening
oak-trees of the forest.

Hard by the bridge, there was a stone cross upon a k