rt.

Ye shull each have your own part,
A blak arrow in each blak heart.
Get ye to your knees for to pray:
Ye are ded theeves, by yea and nay!

"JON AMEND-ALL
of the Green Wood,
And his jolly fellaweship.

"Item, we have mo arrowes and goode hempen cord for otheres of your
following."

"Now, well-a-day for charity and the Christian graces!" cried Sir Oliver
lamentably. "Sirs, this is an ill world, and groweth daily worse. I will
swear upon the cross of Holywood I am as innocent of that good knight's
hurt, whether in act or purpose, as the babe unchristened. Neither was
his throat cut; for therein they are again in error, as there still live
credible witnesses to show."

"It boots not, sir parson," said Bennet. "Here is unseasonable talk."

"Nay, Master Bennet, not so. Keep ye in your due place, good Bennet,"
answered the priest. "I shall make mine innocence appear. I will upon no
consideration lose my poor life in error. I take all men to witness that
I am clear of this matter. I was not even in the Moat House. I was sent
of an errand before nine upon the clock----"

"Sir Oliver," said Hatch, interrupting, "since it please you not to stop
this sermon, I will take other means.--Goffe, sound to horse."

And while the tucket was sounding, Bennet moved close to the bewildered
parson, and whispered violently in his ear.

Dick Shelton saw the priest's eye turned upon him for an instant in a
startled glance. He had some cause for thought; for this Sir Harry
Shelton was his own natural father. But he said never a word, and kept
his countenance unmoved.

Hatch and Sir Oliver discussed together for a while their altered
situation; ten men, it was decided between them, should be reserved, not
only to garrison the Moat House, but to escort the priest across the
wood. In the meantime, as Bennet was to remain behind, the command of
the reinforcement was given to Master Shelton. Indeed, there was no
choice; the men were loutish fellows, dull and unskilled in war, while
Dick was not only popular, but resolute and grave beyond his age.
Although his youth had been spent in these rough country places, the lad
had been well taught in letters by Sir Oliver, and Hatch himself had
shown him the management of arms and the first principles of command.
Bennet had always been kind and helpful; he was one of those who are
cruel as the grave to those