e are yourself so marvellous a good swordsman
that I believe ye had managed them single-handed. Howbeit, it was
certainly well for me that your men delayed no longer than they did."

"How knew ye who I was?" demanded the stranger.

"Even now, my lord," Dick answered, "I am ignorant of whom I speak with."

"Is it so?" asked the other. "And yet ye threw yourself head first into
this unequal battle."

"I saw one man valiantly contending against many," replied Dick, "and I
had thought myself dishonoured not to bear him aid."

A singular sneer played about the young nobleman's mouth as he made
answer:

"These are very brave words. But to the more essential--are ye Lancaster
or York?"

"My lord, I make no secret; I am clear for York," Dick answered.

"By the mass!" replied the other, "it is well for you."

And so saying, he turned towards one of his followers.

"Let me see," he continued, in the same sneering and cruel tones--"let me
see a clean end of these brave gentlemen. Truss me them up."

There were but five survivors of the attacking party. Archers seized
them by the arms; they were hurried to the borders of the wood, and each
placed below a tree of suitable dimension; the rope was adjusted; an
archer, carrying the end of it, hastily clambered overhead; and before a
minute was over, and without a word passing upon either hand, the five
men were swinging by the neck.

"And now," cried the deformed leader, "back to your posts, and when I
summon you next, be readier to attend."

"My lord duke," said one man, "beseech you, tarry not here alone. Keep
but a handful of lances at your hand."

"Fellow," said the duke, "I have forborne to chide you for your slowness.
Cross me not, therefore. I trust my hand and arm, for all that I be
crooked. Ye were backward when the trumpet sounded; and ye are now too
forward with your counsels. But it is ever so; last with the lance and
first with tongue. Let it be reversed."

And with a gesture that was not without a sort of dangerous nobility, he
waved them off.

The footmen climbed again to their seats behind the men-at-arms, and the
whole party moved slowly away and disappeared in twenty different
directions, under the cover of the forest.

The day was by this time beginning to break, and the stars to fade. The
first grey glimmer of dawn shone upon the countenances of the two young
men, who now turned once more to face each other.

"Here," said the duke, "