Matcham limping with his injured foot, they pulled them-
selves together, and once more pelted down the hill.

Three minutes later, they were breasting through a low
thicket of evergreen. High overhead, the tall trees made
a continuous roof of foliage. It was a pillared grove, as
high as a cathedral, and except for the hollies among
which the lads were struggling, open and smoothly
swarded.

On the other side, pushing through the last fringe of
evergreen, they blundered forth again into the open twi-
light of the grove.

"Stand!" cried a voice.

And there, between the huge stems, not fifty feet be-
fore them, they beheld a stout fellow in green, sore blown
with running, who instantly drew an arrow to the head
and covered them. Matcham stopped with a cry; but
Dick, without a pause, ran straight upon the forester,
drawing his dagger as he went. The other, whether he
was startled by the daring of the onslaught, or whether he
was hampered by his orders, did not shoot; he stood
wavering; and before he had time to come to himself,
Dick bounded at his throat, and sent him sprawling back-
ward on the turf. The arrow went one way and the bow
another with a sounding twang. The disarmed forester
grappled his assailant; but the dagger shone and de-
scended twice. Then came a couple of groans, and then
Dick rose to his feet again, and the man lay motionless,
stabbed to the heart.

-74-