rty. Archers seized
them by the arms; they were hurried to the borders of the wood, and each
placed below a tree of suitable dimensions; the rope was adjusted; an
archer, carrying the end of it, hastily clambered overhead, and before a
minute was over, and without a word passing upon either hand, the five
men were swinging by the neck.

"And now," cried the deformed leader, "back to your posts, and when I
summon you next, be readier to attend."

"My lord duke," said one man, "beseech you, tarry not here alone. Keep
but a handful of lances at your hand."

"Fellow," said the duke, "I have forborne to chide you for your
slowness. Cross me not, therefore. I trust my hand and arm, for all that
I be crooked. Ye were backward when the trumpet sounded: and ye are now
too forward with your counsels. But it is ever so; last with the lance
and first with the tongue. Let it be reversed."

And with a gesture that was not without a sort of dangerous nobility, he
waved them off.

The footmen climbed again to their seats behind the men-at-arms, and the
whole party moved slowly away and disappeared in twenty different
directions, under the cover of the forest.

The day was by this time beginning to break, and the stars to fade. The
first grey glimmer of dawn shone upon the countenances of the two young
men, who now turned once more to face each other.

"Here," said the duke, "ye have seen my vengeance, which is, like my
blade, both sharp and ready. But I would not have you, for all
Christendom, suppose me thankless. You that came to my aid with a good
sword and a better courage--unless that ye recoil from my
mis-shapeness--come to my heart."

And so saying, the young leader held out his arms for an embrace.

In the bottom of his heart Dick already entertained a great terror and
some hatred for the man whom he had rescued; but the invitation was so
worded that it would not have been merely discourteous, but cruel, to
refuse or hesitate, and he hastened to comply.

"And now, my lord duke," he said, when he had regained his freedom, "do
I suppose aright? Are ye my Lord Duke of Gloucester?"

"I am Richard of Gloucester," returned the other. "And you--how call
they you?"

Dick told him his name, and presented Lord Foxham's signet, which the
duke immediately recognised.

"Ye come too soon," he said; "but why should I complain? Ye are like me,
that was here at watch two hours before the day. But this is the first
sally of mine