Shelton, here were a great
blow to be stricken, an we could strike it silently and suddenly."

"I do think so, indeed," cried Dick, warming.

"Have ye my Lord Foxham's notes?" inquired the duke.

And then, Dick, having explained how he was without them for the moment,
made himself bold to offer information every jot as good, of his own
knowledge.

"And for mine own part, my lord duke," he added, "an ye had men enough,
I would fall on even at this present. For, look ye, at the peep of day
the watches of the night are over; but by day they keep neither watch
nor ward--only scour the outskirts with horsemen. Now, then, when the
night watch is already unarmed, and the rest are at their morning
cup--now were the time to break them."

"How many do ye count?" asked Gloucester.

"They number not two thousand," Dick replied.

"I have seven hundred in the woods behind us," said the duke; "seven
hundred follow from Kettley, and will be here anon; behind these, and
further, are four hundred more; and my Lord Foxham hath five hundred
half a day from here, at Holywood. Shall we attend their coming, or fall
on?"

"My lord," said Dick, "when ye hanged these five poor rogues ye did
decide the question. Churls although they were, in these uneasy times
they will be lacked and looked for, and the alarm be given. Therefore,
my lord, if ye do count upon the advantage of a surprise, ye have not,
in my poor opinion, one whole hour in front of you."

"I do think so indeed," returned Crookback. "Well, before an hour, ye
shall be in the thick on't, winning spurs. A swift man to Holywood,
carrying Lord Foxham's signet; another along the road to speed my
laggards! Nay, Shelton, by the rood, it may be done!"

Therewith he once more set his trumpet to his lips and blew.

This time he was not long kept waiting. In a moment the open space
about the cross was filled with horse and foot. Richard of Gloucester
took his place upon the steps, and despatched messenger after messenger
to hasten the concentration of the seven hundred men that lay hidden in
the immediate neighbourhood among the woods; and before a quarter of an
hour had passed, all his dispositions being taken, he put himself at
their head, and began to move down the hill towards Shoreby.

His plan was simple. He was to seize a quarter of the town of Shoreby
lying on the right hand of the highroad and make his position good there
in the narrow lanes until his reinforcements follow