sses you is he."

"Call off your dogs, then, and I will bid my villains hold," returned the
other.

There was something noble both in the voice and manner of his late
opponent, and Dick instantly dismissed all fears of treachery.

"Lay down your arms, men!" cried the stranger knight. "I have yielded
me, upon promise of life."

The tone of the stranger was one of absolute command, and almost
instantly the din and confusion of the mellay ceased.

"Lawless," cried Dick, "are ye safe?"

"Ay," cried Lawless, "safe and hearty."

"Light me the lantern," said Dick.

"Is not Sir Daniel here?" inquired the knight.

"Sir Daniel?" echoed Dick. "Now, by the rood, I pray not. It would go
ill with me if he were."

"Ill with _you_, fair sir?" inquired the other. "Nay, then, if ye be not
of Sir Daniel's party, I profess I comprehend no longer. Wherefore,
then, fell ye upon mine ambush? in what quarrel, my young and very fiery
friend? to what earthly purpose? and, to make a clear end of questioning,
to what good gentleman have I surrendered?"

But before Dick could answer, a voice spoke in the darkness from close
by. Dick could see the speaker's black and white badge, and the
respectful salute which he addressed to his superior.

"My lord," said he, "if these gentlemen be unfriends to Sir Daniel, it is
pity, indeed, we should have been at blows with them; but it were tenfold
greater that either they or we should linger here. The watchers in the
house--unless they be all dead or deaf--have heard our hammering this
quarter-hour agone; instantly they will have signalled to the town; and
unless we be the livelier in our departure, we are like to be taken, both
of us, by a fresh foe."

"Hawksley is in the right," added the lord. "How please ye, sir?
Whither shall we march?"

"Nay, my lord," said Dick, "go where ye will for me. I do begin to
suspect we have some ground of friendship, and if, indeed, I began our
acquaintance somewhat ruggedly, I would not churlishly continue. Let us,
then, separate, my lord, you laying your right hand in mine; and at the
hour and place that ye shall name, let us encounter and agree."

"Y' are too trustful, boy," said the other; "but this time your trust is
not misplaced. I will meet you at the point of day at St. Bride's Cross.
Come, lads, follow!"

The strangers disappeared from the scene with a rapidity that seemed
suspicious; and, while the outlaws fell to the congenial task of