ore soldierly! Ha! Clipsby, are ye there, old rat? Y'are a man I could
lose with a good heart; ye shall go in front of all, with a bull's eye
painted on your jack, to be the better butt for archery; sirrah, ye
shall show me the way."

"I will show you any way, Sir Daniel, but the way to change sides,"
returned Clipsby, sturdily.

Sir Daniel laughed a guffaw.

"Why, well said!" he cried. "Hast a shrewd tongue in thy mouth, go to! I
will forgive you for that merry word. Selden, see them fed, both man and
brute."

The knight re-entered the inn.

"Now, friend Dick," he said, "fall to. Here is good ale and bacon. Eat,
while that I read."

Sir Daniel opened the packet, and as he read his brow darkened. When he
had done he sat a little, musing. Then he looked sharply at his ward.

"Dick," said he, "y' have seen this penny rhyme?"

The lad replied in the affirmative.

"It bears your father's name," continued the knight; "and our poor shrew
of a parson is, by some mad soul, accused of slaying him."

"He did most eagerly deny it," answered Dick.

"He did?" cried the knight, very sharply. "Heed him not. He has a loose
tongue; he babbles like a jack-sparrow. Some day, when I may find the
leisure, Dick, I will myself more fully inform you of these matters.
There was one Duckworth shrewdly blamed for it; but the times were
troubled, and there was no justice to be got."

"It befell at the Moat House?" Dick ventured, with a beating at his
heart.

"It befell between the Moat House and Holywood," replied Sir Daniel,
calmly; but he shot a covert glance, black with suspicion, at Dick's
face. "And now," added the knight, "speed you with your meal; ye shall
return to Tunstall with a line from me."

Dick's face fell sorely.

"Prithee, Sir Daniel," he cried, "send one of the villains! I beseech
you let me to the battle. I can strike a stroke, I promise you."

"I misdoubt it not," replied Sir Daniel, sitting down to write. "But
here, Dick, is no honour to be won. I lie in Kettley till I have sure
tidings of the war, and then ride to join me with the conqueror. Cry not
on cowardice; it is but wisdom, Dick; for this poor realm so tosseth
with rebellion, and the king's name and custody so changeth hands, that
no man may be certain of the morrow. Toss-pot and Shuttle-wit run in,
but my Lord Good-Counsel sits o' one side, waiting."

With that, Sir Daniel, turning his back to Dick, and quite at the
farther end of the long table,