ve him at last to
Humber Head, where we have seen him land, and whence we pursue his
steps.

The little band set out upon its march, and halted for the night at a
small village two miles inland. Some of the men were then sent out on
horseback for news of the other vessels, that bore the remnant of the
invading force. These had, fortunately, effected a landing in various
places; and, before daybreak, Anthony Woodville, and the rest of the
troops, had joined the leader of an enterprise that seemed but the
rashness of despair, for its utmost force, including the few sailors
allured to the adventurer's standard, was about two thousand men.
[Fifteen hundred, according to the Croyland historian.] Close and
anxious was the consultation then held. Each of the several detachments
reported alike of the sullen indifference of the population, which
each had sought to excite in favour of Edward. Light riders [Hall]
were despatched in various directions, still further to sound the
neighbourhood. All returned ere noon, some bruised and maltreated by the
stones and staves of the rustics, and not a voice had been heard to echo
the cry, "Long live King Edward!" The profound sagacity of Gloucester's
guileful counsel was then unanimously recognized. Richard despatched a
secret letter to Clarence; and it was resolved immediately to proceed
to York, and to publish everywhere along the road that the fugitive had
returned but to claim his private heritage, and remonstrate with the
parliament which had awarded the duchy of York to Clarence, his younger
brother.

"Such a power," saith the Chronicle, "hath justice ever among men, that
all, moved by mercy or compassion, began either to favour or not
to resist him." And so, wearing the Lancastrian Prince of Wales's
cognizance of the ostrich feather, crying out as they marched, "Long
live King Henry!" the hardy liars, four days after their debarkation,
arrived at the gates of York.

Here, not till after much delay and negotiation, Edward was admitted
only as Duke of York, and upon condition that he would swear to be a
faithful and loyal servant to King Henry; and at the gate by which he
was to enter, Edward actually took that oath, "a priest being by to
say Mass in the Mass tyme, receiving the body of our blessed Saviour!"
[Hall.]

Edward tarried not long in York; he pushed forward. Two great nobles
guarded those districts,--Montagu and the Earl of Northumberland, to
whom Edward had restored h