priest, I am too deep in men's affairs. Well, let us ride forth,

Master Hatch. The jackmen should be at the church by now."

So they rode forward down the road, with the wind after them,

blowing the tails of the parson's cloak; and behind them, as they

went, clouds began to arise and blot out the sinking sun. They had

passed three of the scattered houses that make up Tunstall hamlet,

when, coming to a turn, they saw the church before them. Ten or a

dozen houses clustered immediately round it; but to the back the

churchyard was next the meadows. At the lych-gate, near a score of

men were gathered, some in the saddle, some standing by their

horses' heads. They were variously armed and mounted; some with

spears, some with bills, some with bows, and some bestriding

plough-horses, still splashed with the mire of the furrow; for

these were the very dregs of the country, and all the better men

and the fair equipments were already with Sir Daniel in the field.

"We have not done amiss, praised be the cross of Holywood! Sir

Daniel will be right well content," observed the priest, inwardly

numbering the troop.

"Who goes? Stand! if ye be true!" shouted Bennet. A man was seen

slipping through the churchyard among the yews; and at the sound of

this summons he discarded all concealment, and fairly took to his

heels for the forest. The men at the gate, who had been hitherto

unaware of the stranger's presence, woke and scattered. Those who

had dismounted began scrambling into the saddle; the rest rode in

pursuit; but they had to make the circuit of the consecrated

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