He was silent for some time, his face working.
“Eat!” he cried, suddenly. “And
you here,” he added to Matcham, “swear
me an oath to follow straight to the Moat House.”
“I will pledge mine honour,” replied Matcham.
“What make I with your honour?” cried
the knight. “Swear me upon your mother’s
welfare!”
Matcham gave the required oath; and Sir Daniel re-adjusted
the hood over his face, and prepared his bell and
staff. To see him once more in that appalling
travesty somewhat revived the horror of his two companions.
But the knight was soon upon his feet.
“Eat with despatch,” he said, “and
follow me yarely to mine house.”
And with that he set forth again into the woods; and
presently after the bell began to sound, numbering
his steps, and the two lads sat by their untasted
meal, and heard it die slowly away up hill into the
distance.
“And so ye go to Tunstall?” Dick inquired.
“Yea, verily,” said Matcham, “when
needs must! I am braver behind Sir Daniel’s
back than to his face.”
They ate hastily, and set forth along the path through
the airy upper levels of the forest, where great beeches
stood apart among green lawns, and the birds and squirrels
made merry on the boughs. Two hours later, they
began to descend upon the other side, and already,
among the tree-tops, saw before them the red walls
and roofs of Tunstall House.
“Here,” said Matcham, pausing, “ye
shall take your leave of your friend Jack, whom y’
are to see no more. Come, Dick, forgive him
what he did amiss, as he, for his part, cheerfully
and lovingly forgiveth you.”
“And wherefore so?” asked Dick.
“An we both go to Tunstall, I shall see you
yet again, I trow, and that right often.”
“Ye’ll never again see poor Jack Matcham,”
replied the other, “that was so fearful and
burthensome, and yet plucked you from the river; ye’ll
not see him more, Dick, by mine honour!” He
held his arms open, and the lads embraced and kissed.
“And, Dick,” continued Matcham, “my
spirit bodeth ill. Y’ are now to see a
new Sir Daniel; for heretofore hath all prospered
in his hands exceedingly, and fortune followed him;
but now, methinks, when his fate hath come upon him,
and he runs the adventure of his life, he will prove
but a foul lord to both of us. He may be brave
in battle, but he hath the liar’s eye; there
is fear in his eye, Dick, and fear is as cruel as
the wolf! We go down into that house, Saint Mary
guide us forth again!”
And so they continued their descent in silence, and
came out at last before Sir Daniel’s forest
stronghold, where it stood, low and shady, flanked
with round towers and stained with moss and lichen,
in the lilied waters of the moat. Even as they
appeared, the doors were opened, the bridge lowered,
and Sir Daniel himself, with Hatch and the parson
at his side, stood ready to receive them.
