f Richard III., had won his
first considerable fight.

CHAPTER IV

THE SACK OF SHOREBY

There was not a foe left within striking distance; and Dick, as he
looked ruefully about him on the remainder of his gallant force, began
to count the cost of victory. He was himself, now that the danger was
ended, so stiff and sore, so bruised and cut and broken, and, above all,
so utterly exhausted by his desperate and unremitting labours in the
fight, that he seemed incapable of any fresh exertion.

But this was not yet the hour for repose. Shoreby had been taken by
assault; and though an open town, and not in any manner to be charged
with the resistance, it was plain that these rough fighters would be not
less rough now that the fight was over, and that the more horrid part of
war would fall to be enacted. Richard of Gloucester was not the captain
to protect the citizens from his infuriated soldiery; and even if he had
the will, it might be questioned if he had the power.

It was, therefore, Dick's business to find and to protect Joanna; and
with that end he looked about him at the faces of his men. The three or
four who seemed likeliest to be obedient and to keep sober he drew
aside; and promising them a rich reward and a special recommendation to
the duke, led them across the market-place, now empty of horsemen, and
into the streets upon the farther side.

Every here and there small combats of from two to a dozen still raged
upon the open street; here and there a house was being besieged, the
defenders throwing out stools and tables on the heads of the assailants.
The snow was strewn with arms and corpses; but except for these partial
combats the streets were deserted, and the houses, some standing open,
and some shuttered and barricaded, had for the most part ceased to give
out smoke.

Dick, threading the skirts of these skirmishers, led his followers
briskly in the direction of the abbey church; but when he came the
length of the main street, a cry of horror broke from his lips. Sir
Daniel's great house had been carried by assault. The gates hung in
splinters from the hinges, and a double throng kept pouring in and out
through the entrance, seeking and carrying booty. Meanwhile, in the
upper storeys, some resistance was still being offered to the pillagers;
for just as Dick came within eyeshot of the building, a casement was
burst open from within, and a poor wretch in murrey and blue, screaming
and resisting