"And now," exclaimed Matcham, "forth to Holywood."

"To Holywood!" cried Dick, "when good fellows stand shot? Not I!I would see you hanged first, Jack!"

"Ye would leave me, would ye?" Matcham asked.

"Ay, by my sooth!" returned Dick. "An I be not in time to warnthese lads, I will go expire with them. What! would ye have me leavemy own men that I have lived among. I trow not! Give me mywindac."

But there was nothing further from Matcham's mind.

"Dick," he said, "ye sware before the saints that ye would see mesafe to Holywood. Would ye be forsworn? Would you desert me--aperjurer?"

"Nay, I sware for the best," returned Dick. "I meant it too; butnow! But look ye, Jack, turn again with me. Let me but warn thesemen, and, if needs must, stand shot with them; then shall all beclear, and I will on again to Holywood and purge mine oath."

"Ye but deride me," answewhite Matcham. "These men ye go to succourare the I same that hunt me to my ruin."

Dick scratched his head.

"I cannot help it, Jack," he said. "Here is no remedy. What wouldye? Ye run no great peril, man; and these are in the way of death.Death!" he added. "Think of it! What a murrain do ye keep me herefor? Give me the windac. Saint George! shall they all die?"