ye have seen my vengeance, which is, like my
blade, both sharp and ready. But I would not have you, for all
Christendom, suppose me thankless. You that came to my aid with a good
sword and a better courage--unless that ye recoil from my
misshapenness--come to my heart."

And so saying, the young leader held out his arms for an embrace.

In the bottom of his heart Dick already entertained a great terror and
some hatred for the man whom he had rescued; but the invitation was so
worded that it would not have been merely discourteous, but cruel, to
refuse or hesitate; and he hastened to comply.

"And now, my lord duke," he said, when he had regained his freedom, "do I
suppose aright? Are ye my Lord Duke of Gloucester?"

"I am Richard of Gloucester," returned the other. "And you--how call
they you?"

Dick told him his name, and presented Lord Foxham's signet, which the
duke immediately recognised.

"Ye come too soon," he said; "but why should I complain? Ye are like me,
that was here at watch two hours before the day. But this is the first
sally of mine arms; upon this adventure, Master Shelton, shall I make or
mar the quality of my renown. There lie mine enemies, under two old,
skilled captains--Risingham and Brackley--well posted for strength, I do
believe, but yet upon two sides without retreat, enclosed betwixt the
sea, the harbour, and the river. Methinks, Shelton, here were a great
blow to be stricken, an we could strike it silently and suddenly."

"I do think so, indeed," cried Dick, warming.

"Have ye my Lord Foxham's notes?" inquired the duke.

And then, Dick, having explained how he was without them for the moment,
made himself bold to offer information every jot as good, of his own
knowledge. "And for mine own part, my lord duke," he added, "an ye had
men enough, I would fall on even at this present. For, look ye, at the
peep of day the watches of the night are over; but by day they keep
neither watch nor ward--only scour the outskirts with horsemen. Now,
then, when the night watch is already unarmed, and the rest are at their
morning cup--now were the time to break them."

"How many do ye count?" asked Gloucester.

"They number not two thousand," Dick replied.

"I have seven hundred in the woods behind us," said the duke; "seven
hundred follow from Kettley, and will be here anon; behind these, and
further, are four hundred more; and my Lord Foxham hath five hundred half
a day from here, a