His visor was raised , and showed a countenance of great command and dignity , answerable to the richness of his attire and arms . And it was with some confusion of manner that Dick arose from the cross and stepped down the bank to meet his prisoner . `` I thank you , my lord , for your exactitude , '' he said , louting very low . `` Will it please your lordship to set foot to earth ? '' `` Are ye here alone , young man ? '' inquired the other . `` I was not so simple , '' answered Dick ; `` and , to be plain with your lordship , the woods upon either hand of this cross lie full of mine honest fellows lying on their weapons . '' `` Y ' ` ave done wisely , '' said the lord . `` It pleaseth me the rather , since last night ye fought foolhardily , and more like a salvage Saracen lunatic than any Christian warrior . But it becomes not me to complain that had the undermost . '' `` Ye had the undermost indeed , my lord , since ye so fell , '' returned Dick ; `` but had the waves not holpen me , it was I that should have had the worst . Ye were pleased to make me yours with several dagger marks , which I still carry . And in fine , my lord , methinks I had all the danger , as well as all the profit , of that little blind-man 's mellay on the beach . '' `` Y ' are shrewd enough to make light of it , I see , '' returned the stranger . `` Nay , my lord , not shrewd , '' replied Dick , `` in that I shoot at no advantage to myself . But when , by the light of this new day , I see how stout a knight hath yielded , not to my arms alone , but to fortune , and the darkness , and the surf -- and how easily the battle had gone otherwise , with a soldier so untried and rustic as myself -- think it not strange , my lord , if I feel confounded with my victory . '' `` Ye speak well , '' said the stranger . `` Your name ? '' `` My name , a n't like you , is Shelton , '' answered Dick . `` Men call me the Lord Foxham , '' added the other .
`` Then , my lord , and under your good favour , ye are guardian to the sweetest maid in England , '' replied XXXXX ; `` and for your ransom , and the ransom of such as were taken with you on the beach , there will be no uncertainty of terms .
Dick Saracen Shelton dagger day exactitude mellay methinks night visor