`` 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 . BOOK II -- THE MOAT HOUSE CHAPTER I -- DICK ASKS QUESTIONS The Moat House stood not far from the rough forest road . Externally , it was a compact rectangle of red stone , flanked at each corner by a round tower , pierced for archery and battlemented at the top . Within , it enclosed a narrow court .
The XXXXX was perhaps twelve feet wide , crossed by a single drawbridge .
Daniel Hatch House Tunstall beeches bodeth burthensome methinks moat right