e
had marked from the summit of the church. Here, then, he went the faster
on; but still, as he rode, he kept a bright eye upon the fallen men and
horses that lay beside the track. Many of these, he was relieved to see,
wore Sir Daniel's colours, and the faces of some, who lay upon their
back, he even recognised.

About half-way between the town and the forest, those whom he was
following had plainly been assailed by archers; for the corpses lay
pretty closely scattered, each pierced by an arrow. And here Dick spied
among the rest the body of a very young lad, whose face was somehow
hauntingly familiar to him.

He halted his troop, dismounted, and raised the lad's head. As he did
so, the hood fell back, and a profusion of long brown hair unrolled
itself. At the same time the eyes opened.

"Ah! lion driver!" said a feeble voice. "She is farther on. Ride--ride
fast!"

And then the poor young lady fainted once again.

One of Dick's men carried a flask of some strong cordial, and with this
Dick succeeded in reviving consciousness. Then he took Joanna's friend
upon his saddlebow, and once more pushed toward the forest.

"Why do ye take me?" said the girl. "Ye but delay your speed."

"Nay, Mistress Risingham," replied Dick. "Shoreby is full of blood and
drunkenness and riot. Here ye are safe; content ye."

"I will not be beholden to any of your faction," she cried; "set me
down."

"Madam, ye know not what ye say," returned Dick. "Y' are hurt"--

"I am not," she said. "It was my horse was slain."

"It matters not one jot," replied Richard. "Ye are here in the midst of
open snow, and compassed about with enemies. Whether ye will or not, I
carry you with me. Glad am I to have the occasion; for thus shall I
repay some portion of our debt."

For a little while she was silent. Then, very suddenly, she asked:

"My uncle?"

"My Lord Risingham?" returned Dick. "I would I had good news to give
you, madam; but I have none. I saw him once in the battle, and once
only. Let us hope the best."

CHAPTER V--NIGHT IN THE WOODS: ALICIA RISINGHAM

It was almost certain that Sir Daniel had made for the Moat House; but,
considering the heavy snow, the lateness of the hour, and the necessity
under which he would lie of avoiding the few roads and striking across
the wood, it was equally certain that he could not hope to reach it ere
the morrow.

There were two courses open to Dick; either to continue t