Chapter 31 - Page 2

will," returned Dick; "and it must be as heaven
please. Reck we not a jot, but push on the livelier, and put it to
the touch. Up, friends - enough breathed."

As they advanced, the snow became more and more trampled with hoof-
marks, and it was plain that they were drawing near to the
encampment of a considerable force of mounted men. Presently they
could see the smoke pouring from among the trees, ruddily coloured
on its lower edge and scattering bright sparks.

And here, pursuant to Dick's orders, his men began to open out,
creeping stealthily in the covert, to surround on every side the
camp of their opponents. He himself, placing Alicia in the shelter
of a bulky oak, stole straight forth in the direction of the fire.

At last, through an opening of the wood, his eye embraced the scene
of the encampment. The fire had been built upon a heathy hummock
of the ground, surrounded on three sides by thicket, and it now
burned very strong, roaring aloud and brandishing flames. Around
it there sat not quite a dozen people, warmly cloaked; but though
the neighbouring snow was trampled down as by a regiment, Dick
looked in vain for any horse. He began to have a terrible
misgiving that he was out-manoeuvred. At the same time, in a tall
man with a steel salet, who was spreading his hands before the
blaze, he recognised his old friend and still kindly enemy, Bennet
Hatch; and in two others, sitting a little back, he made out, even
in their male disguise, Joanna Sedley and Sir Daniel's wife.

"Well," thought he to himself, "even if I lose my horses, let me
get my Joanna, and why should I complain?"

And then, from the further side of the encampment, there came a
little whistle, announcing that his men had joined, and the
investment was complete.

Bennet, at the sound, started to his feet; but ere he had time to
spring upon his arms, Dick hailed him.

"Bennet," he said - "Bennet, old friend, yield ye. Ye will but
spill men's lives in vain, if ye resist."

"'Tis Master Shelton, by St. Barbary!" cried Hatch. "Yield me? Ye
ask much. What force have ye?"

"I tell you, Bennet, ye are both outnumbered and begirt," said
Dick. "Caesar and Charlemagne would cry for quarter. I have two
score men at my whistle, and with one shoot of arrows I could
answer for you all."

"Master Dick," said Bennet, "it goes against my heart; but I must
do my duty. The saints help you!" And therewith he raised a
little tucket to his mouth and wound a rousing call.

Then followed a moment of confusion; for while Dick, fearing for
the ladies, still hesitated to give the word to shoot, Hatch's
little band sprang to their weapons and formed back to back as for
a fierce resistance. In the