ns, I
might sheathe my sword."

"It may be so, my lord; and yet I will be overbold, and at the risk of
your disfavour, recall your lordship's promise," replied Dick.

Richard of Gloucester flushed.

"Mark it right well," he said, harshly. "I love not mercy, nor yet
mercymongers. Ye have this day laid the foundations of high fortune. If
ye oppose to me my word, which I have plighted, I will yield. But, by
the glory of heaven, there your favour dies!

"Mine is the loss," said Dick.

"Give him his sailor," said the duke; and wheeling his horse, he turned
his back upon young Shelton.

Dick was nor glad nor sorry. He had seen too much of the young duke to
set great store on his affection; and the origin and growth of his own
favour had been too flimsy and too rapid to inspire much confidence. One
thing alone he feared--that the vindictive leader might revoke the offer
of the lances. But here he did justice neither to Gloucester's honour
(such as it was) nor, above all, to his decision. If he had once judged
Dick to be the right man to pursue Sir Daniel, he was not one to change;
and he soon proved it by shouting after Catesby to be speedy, for the
paladin was waiting.

In the meanwhile, Dick turned to the old shipman, who had seemed equally
indifferent to his condemnation and to his subsequent release.

"Arblaster," said Dick, "I have done you ill; but now, by the rood, I
think I have cleared the score."

But the old skipper only looked upon him dully and held his peace.

"Come," continued 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 a