The wind had somewhat fallen , but still tussled merrily with the trees , and , perhaps , had Appleyard been there , he would have drawn a warning from the troubled conduct of the birds . `` Now , mark , '' Dick whispered . `` They be already well advanced into the wood ; their safety lieth rather in continuing forward . But see ye where this wide glade runneth down before us , and in the midst of it , these two score trees make like an island ? There were their safety . An they but come sound as far as that , I will make shift to warn them . But my heart misgiveth me ; they are but seven against so many , and they but carry cross-bows . The long-bow , Jack , will have the uppermost ever . '' Meanwhile , Selden and his men still wound up the path , ignorant of their danger , and momently drew nearer hand . Once , indeed , they paused , drew into a group , and seemed to point and listen . But it was something from far away across the plain that had arrested their attention -- a hollow growl of cannon that came , from time to time , upon the wind , and told of the great battle . It was worth a thought , to be sure ; for if the voice of the big guns were thus become audible in Tunstall Forest , the fight must have rolled ever eastward , and the day , by consequence , gone sore against Sir Daniel and the lords of the dark rose . But presently the little troop began again to move forward , and came next to a very open , heathy portion of the way , where but a single tongue of forest ran down to join the road . They were but just abreast of this , when an arrow shone flying . One of the men threw up his arms , his horse reared , and both fell and struggled together in a mass . Even from where the boys lay they could hear the rumour of the men 's voices crying out ; they could see the startled horses prancing , and , presently , as the troop began to recover from their first surprise , one fellow beginning to dismount . A second arrow from somewhat farther off glanced in a wide arch ; a second rider bit the dust . The man who was dismounting lost hold upon the rein , and his horse fled galloping , and dragged him by the foot along the road , bumping from stone to stone , and battered by the fleeing hoofs . The four who still kept the saddle instantly broke and scattered ; one wheeled and rode , shrieking , towards the ferry ; the other three , with loose rein and flying raiment , came galloping up the road from Tunstall . From every clump they passed an arrow sped .
Soon a horse fell , but the rider found his feet and continued to pursue his comrades till a XXXXX shot despatched him .
Appleyard Jack Selden cross-bows first lieth long-bow misgiveth raiment second