t."

All this while the two lads had listened and lain close; only Richard
had unslung his cross-bow, and held ready in one hand the windac, or
grappling-iron that he used to bend it. Otherwise they had not dared to
stir; and this scene of forest life had gone on before their eyes like a
scene upon a theatre. But now there came a strange interruption. The
tall chimney which overtopped the remainder of the ruins rose right
above their hiding-place. There came a whistle in the air, and then a
sounding smack, and the fragments of a broken arrow fell about their
ears. Some one from the upper quarters of the wood, perhaps the very
sentinel they saw posted in the fir, had shot an arrow at the
chimney-top.

Matcham could not restrain a little cry, which he instantly stifled, and
even Dick started with surprise, and dropped the windac from his
fingers. But to the fellows on the lawn, this shaft was an expected
signal. They were all afoot together, tightening their belts, testing
their bow-strings, loosening sword and dagger in the sheath. Ellis held
up his hand; his face had suddenly assumed a look of savage energy; the
white of his eyes shone in his sun-brown face.

"Lads," he said, "ye know your places. Let not one man's soul escape
you. Appleyard was a whet before a meal; but now we go to table. I have
three men whom I will bitterly avenge--Harry Shelton, Simon Malmesbury,
and"--striking his broad bosom--"and Ellis Duckworth, by the mass!"

Another man came, red with hurry, through the thorns.

"'Tis not Sir Daniel!" he panted. "They are but seven. Is the arrow
gone?"

"It struck but now," replied Ellis.

"A murrain!" cried the messenger. "Methought I heard it whistle. And I
go dinnerless!"

In the space of a minute, some running, some walking sharply, according
as their stations were nearer or farther away, the men of the Black
Arrow had all disappeared from the neighbourhood of the ruined house;
and the caldron, and the fire, which was now burning low, and the dead
deer's carcase on the hawthorn, remained alone to testify they had been
there.

CHAPTER V

"BLOODY AS THE HUNTER"

The lads lay quiet till the last footstep had melted on the wind. Then
they arose, and with many an ache, for they were weary with constraint,
clambered through the ruins, and recrossed the ditch upon the rafter.
Matcham had picked up the windac and went first, Dick following stiffly,
with his cross-bow on his arm.

"And now