situation; ten men, it was decided between them, should be

reserved, not only to garrison the Moat House, but to escort the

priest across the wood. In the meantime, as Bennet was to remain

behind, the command of the reinforcement was given to Master

Shelton. Indeed, there was no choice; the men were loutish

fellows, dull and unskilled in war, while Dick was not only

popular, but resolute and grave beyond his age. Although his youth

had been spent in these rough, country places, the lad had been

well taught in letters by Sir Oliver, and Hatch himself had shown

him the management of arms and the first principles of command.

Bennet had always been kind and helpful; he was one of those who

are cruel as the grave to those they call their enemies, but

ruggedly faithful and well willing to their friends; and now, while

Sir Oliver entered the next house to write, in his swift, exquisite

penmanship, a memorandum of the last occurrences to his master, Sir

Daniel Brackley, Bennet came up to his pupil to wish him God-speed

upon his enterprise.

"Ye must go the long way about, Master Shelton," he said; "round by

the bridge, for your life! Keep a sure man fifty paces afore you,

to draw shots; and go softly till y' are past the wood. If the

rogues fall upon you, ride for 't; ye will do naught by standing.

And keep ever forward, Master Shelton; turn me not back again, an

ye love your life; there is no help in Tunstall, mind ye that. And

now, since ye go to the great wars about the king, and I continue

to dwell here in extreme jeopardy of my life, and the saints alone

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