f
him; and the next wave, speedily succeeding to the last, buried him
below a rush of water.

While he was still submerged, Dick forced his dagger from his grasp, and
rose to his feet, victorious.

"Yield ye!" he said. "I give you life."

"I yield me," said the other, getting to his knees. "Ye fight, like a
young man, ignorantly and foolhardily; but, by the array of the saints,
ye fight bravely!"

Dick turned to the beach. The combat was still raging doubtfully in the
night; over the hoarse roar of the breakers steel clanged upon steel,
and cries of pain and the shout of battle resounded.

"Lead me to your captain, youth," said the conquered knight. "It is fit
this butchery should cease."

"Sir," replied Dick, "so far as these brave fellows have a captain, the
poor gentleman who here addresses you is he."

"Call off your dogs, then, and I will bid my villains hold," returned
the other.

There was something noble both in the voice and manner of his late
opponent, and Dick instantly dismissed all fears of treachery.

"Lay down your arms, men!" cried the stranger knight. "I have yielded
me, upon promise of life."

The tone of the stranger was one of absolute command, and almost
instantly the din and confusion of the mellay ceased.

"Lawless," cried Dick, "are ye safe?"

"Ay," cried Lawless, "safe and hearty."

"Light me the lantern," said Dick.

"Is not Sir Daniel here?" inquired the knight.

"Sir Daniel?" echoed Dick. "Now, by the rood, I pray not. It would go
ill with me if he were."

"Ill with _you_, fair sir?" inquired the other. "Nay, then, if ye be
not of Sir Daniel's party, I profess I comprehend no longer. Wherefore,
then, fell ye upon mine ambush? in what quarrel, my young and very fiery
friend? to what earthly purpose? and, to make a clear end of
questioning, to what good gentleman have I surrendered?"

But before Dick could answer, a voice spoke in the darkness from close
by. Dick could see the speaker's black and white badge, and the
respectful salute which he addressed to his superior.

"My lord," said he, "if these gentlemen be unfriends to Sir Daniel, it
is pity, indeed, we should have been at blows with them; but it were
tenfold greater that either they or we should linger here. The watchers
in the house----unless they be all dead or deaf----have heard our
hammering this quarter-hour agone; instantly they will have signalled to
the town; and unless we be the livelier in our departure