Chapter 26

BOOK V - CROOKBACK : CHAPTER I - THE SHRILL TRUMPET

Very early the next morning, before the first peep of the day, Dick
arose, changed his garments, armed himself once more like a
gentleman, and set forth for Lawless's den in the forest. There,
it will be remembered, he had left Lord Foxham's papers; and to get
these and be back in time for the tryst with the young Duke of
Gloucester could only be managed by an early start and the most
vigorous walking.

The frost was more rigorous than ever; the air windless and dry,
and stinging to the nostril. The moon had gone down, but the stars
were still bright and numerous, and the reflection from the snow
was clear and cheerful. There was no need for a lamp to walk by;
nor, in that still but ringing air, the least temptation to delay.

Dick had crossed the greater part of the open ground between
Shoreby and the forest, and had reached the bottom of the little
hill, some hundred yards below the Cross of St. Bride, when,
through the stillness of the black morn, there rang forth the note
of a trumpet, so shrill, clear, and piercing, that he thought he
had never heard the match of it for audibility. It was blown once,
and then hurriedly a second time; and then the clash of steel
succeeded.

At this young Shelton pricked his ears, and drawing his sword, ran
forward up the hill.

Presently he came in sight of the cross, and was aware of a most
fierce encounter raging on the road before it. There were seven or
eight assailants, and but one to keep head against them; but so
active and dexterous was this one, so desperately did he charge and
scatter his opponents, so deftly keep his footing on the ice, that
already, before Dick could intervene, he had slain one, wounded
another, and kept the whole in check.

Still, it was by a miracle that he continued his defence, and at
any moment, any accident, the least slip of foot or error of hand,
his life would be a forfeit.

"Hold ye well, sir! Here is help!" cried Richard; and forgetting
that he was alone, and that the cry was somewhat irregular, "To the
Arrow! to the Arrow!" he shouted, as he fell upon the rear of the
assailants.

These were stout fellows also, for they gave not an inch at this
surprise, but faced about, and fell with astonishing fury upon
Dick. Four against one, the steel flashed about him in the
starlight; the sparks flew fiercely; one of the men opposed to him
fell - in the stir of the fight he hardly knew why; then he himself
was struck across the head, and though the steel cap below his hood
protected him, the blow beat him down upon one knee, with a brain
whirling like a windmill sail.

Meanwhile the man whom he had come to rescue, instead of