were swinging by the neck.

"And now," cried the deformed leader, "back to your posts, and when I
summon you next, be readier to attend."

"My lord duke," said one man, "beseech you, tarry not here alone. Keep
but a handful of lances at your hand."

"Fellow," said the duke, "I have forborne to chide you for your
slowness. Cross me not, therefore. I trust my hand and arm, for all that
I be crooked. Ye were backwards when the trumpet sounded; and ye are now
too forward with your counsels. But it is ever so; last with the lance
and first with tongue. Let it be reversed."

And with a gesture that was not without a sort of dangerous nobility, he
waved them off.

The footmen climbed again to their seats behind the men-at-arms, and the
whole party moved slowly away and disappeared in twenty different
directions, under the cover of the forest.

The day was by this time beginning to break, and the stars to fade. The
first grey glimmer of dawn shone upon the countenances of the two young
men, who now turned once more to face each other.

"Here," said the duke, "ye have seen my vengeance, which is, like my
blade, both sharp and ready. But I would not have you, for all
Christendom, suppose me thankless. You that came to my aid with a good
sword and a better courage--unless that ye recoil from my
misshapeness--come to my heart."

And so saying, the young leader held out his arms for an embrace.

In the bottom of his heart Dick already entertained a great terror and
some hatred for the man whom he had rescued; but the invitation was so
worded that it would not have been merely discourteous, but cruel, to
refuse or hesitate; and he hastened to comply.

"And now, my lord duke," he said, when he had regained his freedom, "do
I suppose aright? Are ye my Lord Duke of Gloucester?"

"I am Richard of Gloucester," returned the other. "And you--how call
they you?"

Dick told him his name, and presented Lord Foxham's signet, which the
duke immediately recognised.

"Ye come too soon," he said; "but why should I complain? Ye are like me,
that was here at watch two hours before the day. But this is the first
sally of mine arms; upon this adventure, Master Shelton, shall I make or
mar the quality of my renown. There lie mine enemies, under two old,
skilled captains--Risingham and Brackley--well posted for strength, I do
believe, but yet upon two sides without retreat, enclosed betwixt the
sea, the harbour, and the river. Methinks,