this Ellis, what he said? or have ye no heart for your own kindly blood
and the father that men slew? 'Harry Shelton,' he said; and Sir Harry
Shelton was your father, as the sun shines in heaven."

"What would ye?" Dick cried again. "Would ye have me credit thieves?"

"Nay, I have heard it before now," returned Matcham. "The fame goeth
currently, it was Sir Daniel slew him. He slew him under oath; in his
own house he shed the innocent blood. Heaven wearies for the avenging
on't; and you--the man's son--ye go about to comfort and defend the
murderer!"

"Jack," cried the lad "I know not. It may be; what know I? But, see
here: This man hath bred me up and fostered me, and his men I have hunted
with and played among; and to leave them in the hour of peril--O, man, if
I did that, I were stark dead to honour! Nay, Jack, ye would not ask it;
ye would not wish me to be base."

"But your father, Dick?" said Matcham, somewhat wavering. "Your father?
and your oath to me? Ye took the saints to witness."

"My father?" cried Shelton. "Nay, he would have me go! If Sir Daniel
slew him, when the hour comes this hand shall slay Sir Daniel; but
neither him nor his will I desert in peril. And for mine oath, good
Jack, ye shall absolve me of it here. For the lives' sake of many men
that hurt you not, and for mine honour, ye shall set me free."

"I, Dick? Never!" returned Matcham. "An ye leave me, y' are forsworn,
and so I shall declare it."

"My blood heats," said Dick. "Give me the windac! Give it me!"

"I'll not," said Matcham. "I'll save you in your teeth."

"Not?" cried Dick. "I'll make you!"

"Try it," said the other.

They stood, looking in each other's eyes, each ready for a spring. Then
Dick leaped; and though Matcham turned instantly and fled, in two bounds
he was over-taken, the windac was twisted from his grasp, he was thrown
roughly to the ground, and Dick stood across him, flushed and menacing,
with doubled fist. Matcham lay where he had fallen, with his face in the
grass, not thinking of resistance.

Dick bent his bow.

"I'll teach you!" he cried, fiercely. "Oath or no oath, ye may go hang
for me!"

And he turned and began to run. Matcham was on his feet at once, and
began running after him.

"What d'ye want?" cried Dick, stopping. "What make ye after me? Stand
off!"

"Will follow an I please," said Matcham. "This wood is free to me."

"Stand back, by 'r Lady!" returned Dick, ra