land now dashed forward, and the two flags were
well nigh together.

"This now must be the finish," cried I, as I waved my good sword in
circles round my head.

Then came there forward, like a thunderbolt, Sir William Stanley's
gallant horsemen, and rode abreast with me.

Down sank the gallant standard of the noble Earl, as Richard himself
smote to the ground Sir William Brandon, who had carried it. Another
knight sprang forward from the side of Richmond and faced the desperate
tyrant. He met the same fate as Brandon. Richmond waved his sword in
defiance of the boar, and the two men were like to meet; but I got
betwixt them and caught Richard's blow upon my shield.

"Ha! Bradley! Escaped, runagate traitor! Have at thee!"

Again did I catch his savage blow, and this time I gave him my straight
point beneath his helm.

At that very moment another good knight dashed in and, as he saw
Richard strike at me, he thought that I was Richmond. His bright blade
flashed through the air and struck the tyrant fair upon his helmed
head. Two such fierce blows, falling both at once, drove Richard from
his saddle as though a bolt from Heaven had struck him.

Down from my steed I sprang, and with my dagger clipped the laces of
his headpiece. Already the eyes were rolled far back, and stared up
blindly at me. Not a quiver stirred his frame. He had died in the
twinkling of an eye.

The sun now rent asunder the clouds of Heaven, as had the two flashing
swords torn the darkest clouds that had surrounded us all for so long a
time, and the whole field was filled with brightness. Mayhap it was
the resounding shouts of victory of our now half-crazed army that did
rend the heavy clouds; for one could scarce hear himself cheer, so loud
were the shouts of gladness all around us.

The remnant of the dead tyrant's force--for above four thousand had
been slain--offered no further resistance, and the great majority of
them did join in and cheer for the victorious Earl.

Then Harleston grasped my hand. His visor was raised up and his face
was flushed with pleasure and exertion.

"Well, Bradley, our oath, made to King Edward, hath been kept; we have
revenged the murder of his little son."

It was he who had struck down Richard at the same moment as had I.

Richmond dismounted and, kneeling, he thanked God for his great
victory. Then he arose and grasped both Harleston and me by the hands,
and heartily he thanked us for the pa