very thick of the discharges Dick was touched from behind upon the

arm, and found a page holding out to him a leathern jack,

strengthened with bright plates of mail.

"It is from my Lord of Gloucester," said the page. "He hath

observed, Sir Richard, that ye went unarmed."

Dick, with a glow at his heart at being so addressed, got to his

feet and, with the assistance of the page, donned the defensive

coat. Even as he did so, two arrows rattled harmlessly upon the

plates, and a third struck down the page, mortally wounded, at his

feet.

Meantime the whole body of the enemy had been steadily drawing

nearer across the market-place; and by this time were so close at

hand that Dick gave the order to return their shot. Immediately,

from behind the barrier and from the windows of the houses, a

counterblast of arrows sped, carrying death. But the Lancastrians,

as if they had but waited for a signal, shouted loudly in answer;

and began to close at a run upon the barrier, the horsemen still

hanging back, with visors lowered.

Then followed an obstinate and deadly struggle, hand to hand. The

assailants, wielding their falchions with one hand, strove with the

other to drag down the structure of the barricade. On the other

side, the parts were reversed; and the defenders exposed themselves

like madmen to protect their rampart. So for some minutes the

contest raged almost in silence, friend and foe falling one upon

another. But it is always the easier to destroy; and when a single

note upon the tucket recalled the attacking party from this

desperate service, much of the barricade had been removed

<<BackPagesTo menuNext>>