There was upon one side of where he went a thicket , strongly matted with green ivy , and , even in its winter state , impervious to the eye . Herein , all of a sudden , a bow sounded like a note of music . An arrow flew , and with a great , choked cry of agony and anger , the Knight of Tunstall threw up his hands and fell forward in the snow . Dick bounded to his side and raised him . His face desperately worked ; his whole body was shaken by contorting spasms . `` Is the arrow black ? '' he gasped . `` It is black , '' replied Dick , gravely . And then , before he could add one word , a desperate seizure of pain shook the wounded man from head to foot , so that his body leaped in Dick 's supporting arms , and with the extremity of that pang his spirit fled in silence . The young man laid him back gently on the snow and prayed for that unprepared and guilty spirit , and as he prayed the sun came up at a bound , and the robins began chirping in the ivy . When he rose to his feet , he found another man upon his knees but a few steps behind him , and , still with uncovered head , he waited until that prayer also should be over . It took long ; the man , with his head bowed and his face covered with his hands , prayed like one in a great disorder or distress of mind ; and by the bow that lay beside him , Dick judged that he was no other than the archer who had laid Sir Daniel low . At length he , also , rose , and showed the countenance of Ellis Duckworth . `` Richard , '' he said , very gravely , `` I heard you . Ye took the better part and pardoned ; I took the worse , and there lies the clay of mine enemy . Pray for me . '' And he wrung him by the hand . `` Sir , '' said Richard , `` I will pray for you , indeed ; though how I may prevail I wot not . But if ye have so long pursued revenge , and find it now of such a sorry flavour , bethink ye , were it not well to pardon others ? Hatch -- he is dead , poor shrew !
I would have spared a better ; and for Sir XXXXX , here lies his body .
Daniel Dick Duckworth Richard Tunstall Ye archer choked flavour robins