Hugh stood a moment on the river's bank, staring at the stream beneath;
then he turned and began to walk slowly toward the dead swan.

Ere ever he reached it Sir John Clavering fell from his horse in a
swoon, and a shout of rage went up from all his people.

"Kill him!" they yelled, and leapt forward.

Now Hugh understood, and ran for the point of land. One man, a
Frenchman, got in front of him. He cut him down, and sped on.

"What now?" said Eve, as he joined them.

He did not answer, only pointed first to the Clavering folk and next to
the water, showing that she must choose between the two.

"Swim for it!" growled Grey Dick. "I'll hold them back a while and then
join you," and as he spoke his bow twanged.

For an instant Eve paused, then threw off her scarlet cloak.

"Remember, I slew your brother!" said Hugh hoarsely.

"I remember that he would have slain you," she answered; and leapt
straight from the point into the icy flood, beneath which her head sank.

When it rose again there was another head beside it, that of dead John,
who appeared for one moment, to be seen no more for ever, since ere
morning the ocean had him.

Now Hugh leapt after her, and presently the pair of them were swimming
side by side to the river's further shore. Then, as now, it was but a
narrow stream. Yet they did not reach it easily, for, cumbered as they
were with clothes, and numbed by the ice-cold water, the fierce tide
caught them and carried them beyond the bend. There they were lost in
the gathering darkness, so that most of those who watched believed that
they had sunk and drowned. But it was not so, for after a long struggle
they came safe to shore near to a clump of willows, and clambered over
the frozen mud to the heath beyond.

"First fire, then water," said Hugh, in a mazed voice.

"You have missed out love and death," answered the girl--"a full feast
for a day that is not done. But whither now?"

"To take sanctuary at the Preceptory and raise my kin. Forward, Eve, ere
you freeze."

"I think there is that in me which will not freeze," she answered; and
broke into a run.

Now night closed in, and the snow which had been threatening all day
began to fall, making their path over the heath difficult.

"We need Grey Dick to guide us; but alack, I fear he is dead!" muttered
Hugh.

"I think others will be dead, not Dick," she answered.

Just then they heard a footstep behind them.

Hugh wheeled round and drew h