Here , then , about seven in the morning , Dick arrived . It was as cold as ever ; the earth was all grey and silver with the hoarfrost , and the day began to break in the east with many colours of purple and orange . Dick set him down upon the lowest step of the cross , wrapped himself well in his tabard , and looked vigilantly upon all sides . He had not long to wait . Down the road from Holywood a gentleman in very rich and bright armour , and wearing over that a surcoat of the rarest furs , came pacing on a splendid charger . Twenty yards behind him followed a clump of lances ; but these halted as soon as they came in view of the trysting-place , while the gentleman in the fur surcoat continued to advance alone . 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 XXXXX , `` in that I shoot at no advantage to myself .
Christian Dick charger colours dagger mellay morning tabard undermost visor