eed, my lord, since ye so fell," returned Dick;
"but had the waves not holpen me, it was I that should have had the
worst. Ye were pleased to make me yours with several dagger-marks, which
I still carry. And in fine, my lord, methinks I had all the danger, as
well as all the profit, of that little blind-man's medley on the beach."

"Y' are shrewd enough to make light of it, I see," returned the
stranger.

"Nay, my lord, not shrewd," replied Dick, "in that I shoot at no
advantage to myself. But when, by the light of this new day, I see how
stout a knight hath yielded, not to my arms alone, but to fortune, and
the darkness, and the surf--and how easily the battle had gone
otherwise, with a soldier so untried and rustic as myself--think it not
strange, my lord, if I feel confounded with my victory."

"Ye speak well," said the stranger. "Your name?"

"My name, an't like you, is Shelton," answered Dick.

"Men call me the Lord Foxham," added the other.

"Then, my lord, and under your good favour, ye are guardian to the
sweetest maid in England," replied Dick; "and for your ransom, and the
ransom of such as were taken with you on the beach, there will be no
uncertainty of terms. I pray you, my lord, of your good-will and
charity, yield me the hand of my mistress, Joan Sedley; and take ye,
upon the other part, your liberty, the liberty of these your followers,
and (if ye will have it) my gratitude and service till I die."

"But are ye not ward to Sir Daniel? Methought, if y' are Harry Shelton's
son, that I had heard it so reported," said Lord Foxham.

"Will it please you, my lord, to alight? I would fain tell you fully who
I am, how situate, and why so bold in my demands. Beseech you, my lord,
take place upon these steps, hear me to a full end, and judge me with
allowance."

And so saying, Dick lent a hand to Lord Foxham to dismount; led him up
the knoll to the cross; installed him in the place where he had himself
been sitting; and standing respectfully before his noble prisoner,
related the story of his fortunes up to the events of the evening
before.

Lord Foxham listened gravely, and when Dick had done, "Master Shelton,"
he said, "ye are a most fortunate-unfortunate young gentleman; but what
fortune y' have had, that ye have amply merited; and what unfortune, ye
have noways deserved. Be of a good cheer; for ye have made a friend who
is devoid neither of power nor favour. For yourself, although it fits
not for a