The lad gave one scream that echoed high and far over the forest, he had one spasm of struggling, and then all his limbs relaxed, and he fell limp into his captor's arms.
Dick heard the cry and turned.

He saw Matcham fall; and on the instant his spirit and his strength revived; With a cry of pity and anger, he unslung and bent his arblast.

But ere he had time to shoot, the leper held up his hand.
"Hold your shot, Dickon!" cried a familiar voice.

"Hold your shot, mad wag! Know ye not a friend ?" And then laying down Matcham on the turf, he undid the hood from off his face, and disclosed the features of Sir Daniel Brackley.
"Sir Daniel!" cried Dick.
"Ay, by the mass, Sir Daniel!" returned the knight.

"Would ye shoot upon your guardian, rogue?
But here is this"-- And there he broke off, and pointing to Matcham, asked: "How call ye him, Dick ?" "Nay," said Dick, "I call him Master Matcham.