nd kill him; and
somewhere near would I find Hazel.

I did neither storm nor gnash my teeth, as is my wont when my temper
doth control my reason; but with quiet bearing, and lips drawn tightly
in, I rode straight forward under the bright sun that glistened so on
Michael's battered armour. Thus steadily could I have ridden unto the
end of the earth, and never would I rest in peace until I found the man
which so had wronged me.

Michael did seem to share my mood; for no word did he speak; but sat
his steed with his head thrust slightly forward and a fearful look of
unrelenting vengeance stamped on his firm-cut features.

There could be no escape for Catesby. He might cross the world; but
still his grim fate would follow and o'er take him.

"He can never escape me," I kept repeating in my mind. Hell's fire
seemed burning in my heart; but outward I was cold, deliberate and as
unchangeable of feature as is the London-stone.

CHAPTER XXVII

THE FIELD OF BOSWORTH

On the fourth day following, and late in the afternoon, we at last
found the camp of Lord Stanley.

Once we came near running our heads through the noose, and there ending
all our hopes and fears.

It was just as we were nearing the town of Bosworth, in our search for
Stanley's force, that we fell in with a straggling body of yeomen and
some few men-at-arms. I asked them to direct me to Lord Stanley's camp.

"Straight ahead, sir, until thou comest unto the first turning to the
right. Here turn, and that road will take ye unto your destination,
which is the Town of Bosworth," replied their leader.

I thanked him and rode on, following his directions.

Soldiers of all ranks and arms were hurrying along by every road.

Presently we drew in sight of Bosworth. The town seemed filled with
soldiers, and others were arriving at every moment.

"Ho! sirrah, canst thou inform me whose force it is that occupies
yonder town?" I asked of a straggler by my side.

The fellow stared at me in surprise for a breathing space and then
answered:--"Why, his Majesty King Richard's, to be sure. Thou didst
not think that Richmond had taken it, didst thou?"

"Hill!" ejaculated Michael.

I came near to betraying mine emotion; but controlled myself in time
and asked:--"But where doth Lord Stanley keep his camp?"

"To the North and West about a mile, sir."

I muttered a prayer of thanksgiving for mine escape from falling into
the hands of mine enemies, and whe