cher, "ye have fought right well for York, and
better for yourself. Never hath man in so brief space prevailed so
greatly on the duke's affections. That he should have entrusted such a
post to one he knew not is a marvel. But look to your head, Sir Richard!
If ye be vanquished--ay, if ye give way one foot's breadth--axe or cord
shall punish it; and I am set if ye do aught doubtful, I will tell you
honestly, here to stab you from behind."

Dick looked at the little man in amaze.

"You!" he cried. "And from behind!"

"It is right so," returned the archer; "and because I like not the affair
I tell it you. Ye must make the post good, Sir Richard, at your peril.
O, our Crookback is a bold blade and a good warrior; but, whether in cold
blood or in hot, he will have all things done exact to his commandment.
If any fail or hinder, they shall die the death."

"Now, by the saints!" cried Richard, "is this so? And will men follow
such a leader?"

"Nay, they follow him gleefully," replied the other; "for if he be exact
to punish, he is most open-handed to reward. And if he spare not the
blood and sweat of others, he is ever liberal of his own, still in the
first front of battle, still the last to sleep. He will go far, will
Crookback Dick o' Gloucester!"

The young knight, if he had before been brave and vigilant, was now all
the more inclined to watchfulness and courage. His sudden favour, he
began to perceive, had brought perils in its train. And he turned from
the archer, and once more scanned anxiously the market-place. It lay
empty as before.

"I like not this quietude," he said. "Doubtless they prepare us some
surprise."

And, as if in answer to his remark, the archers began once more to
advance against the barricade, and the arrows to fall thick. But there
was something hesitating in the attack. They came not on roundly, but
seemed rather to await a further signal.

Dick looked uneasily about him, spying for a hidden danger. And sure
enough, about half way up the little street, a door was suddenly opened
from within, and the house continued, for some seconds, and both by door
and window, to disgorge a torrent of Lancastrian archers. These, as they
leaped down, hurriedly stood to their ranks, bent their bows, and
proceeded to pour upon Dick's rear a flight of arrows.

At the same time, the assailants in the market-place redoubled their
shot, and began to close in stoutly upon the barricade.

Dick