" replied Hugh, "I dare not take ye nearer down, for
your own sake now. He watcheth me the ferry, lying on his bow. All that
go by and owe Sir Daniel goodwill he shooteth down like rabbits. I heard
him swear it by the rood. An I had not known you of old days--ay, and
from so high upward--I would 'a' let you go on; but for old days'
remembrance, and because ye had this toy with you that's not fit for
wounds or warfare, I did risk my two poor ears to have you over whole.
Content you; I can no more, on my salvation!"

Hugh was still speaking, lying on his oars, when there came a great
shout from among the willows on the island, and sounds followed as of a
strong man breasting roughly through the wood.

"A murrain!" cried Hugh. "He was on the upper island all the while!" He
pulled straight for shore. "Threat me with your bow, good Dick; threat
me with it plain," he added. "I have tried to save your skins, save you
mine!"

The boat ran into a tough thicket of willows with a crash. Matcham,
pale, but steady and alert, at a sign from Dick ran along the thwarts
and leaped ashore; Dick, taking the horse by the bridle, sought to
follow, but what with the animal's bulk, and what with the closeness of
the thicket, both stuck fast. The horse neighed and trampled; and the
boat, which was swinging in an eddy, came on and off and pitched with
violence.

"It may not be, Hugh; here is no landing," cried Dick; but he still
struggled valiantly with the obstinate thicket and the startled animal.

A tall man appeared upon the shore of the island, a longbow in his hand.
Dick saw him for an instant, with the corner of his eye, bending the bow
with a great effort, his face crimson with hurry.

"Who goes?" he shouted. "Hugh, who goes?"

"'Tis Master Shelton, John," replied the ferryman.

"Stand, Dick Shelton!" bawled the man upon the island. "Ye shall have no
hurt, upon the rood! Stand!--Back out, Hugh Ferryman."

Dick cried a taunting answer.

"Nay, then, ye shall go afoot," returned the man; and he let drive an
arrow.

The horse, struck by the shaft, lashed out in agony and terror; the boat
capsized, and next moment all were struggling in the eddies of the
river.

When Dick came up he was within a yard of the bank; and before his eyes
were clear, his hand had closed on something firm and strong that
instantly began to drag him forward. It was the riding-rod, that
Matcham, crawling forth upon an overhanging willow, had opportunel