I do begin to suspect we have some ground of friendship , and if , indeed , I began our acquaintance somewhat ruggedly , I would not churlishly continue . Let us , then , separate , my lord , you laying your right hand in mine ; and at the hour and place that ye shall name , let us encounter and agree . '' `` Y ' are too trustful , boy , '' said the other ; `` but this time your trust is not misplaced . I will meet you at the point of day at St. Bride 's Cross . Come , lads , follow ! '' The strangers disappeared from the scene with a rapidity that seemed suspicious ; and , while the outlaws fell to the congenial task of rifling the dead bodies , Dick made once more the circuit of the garden wall to examine the front of the house . In a little upper loophole of the roof he beheld a light set ; and as it would certainly be visible in town from the back windows of Sir Daniel 's mansion , he doubted not that this was the signal feared by Hawksley , and that ere long the lances of the Knight of Tunstall would arrive upon the scene . He put his ear to the ground , and it seemed to him as if he heard a jarring and hollow noise from townward . Back to the beach he went hurrying . But the work was already done ; the last body was disarmed and stripped to the skin , and four fellows were already wading seaward to commit it to the mercies of the deep . A few minutes later , when there debauched out of the nearest lanes of Shoreby some two score horsemen , hastily arrayed and moving at the gallop of their steeds , the neighbourhood of the house beside the sea was entirely silent and deserted . Meanwhile , Dick and his men had returned to the ale-house of the Goat and Bagpipes to snatch some hours of sleep before the morning tryst . CHAPTER III -- ST. BRIDE 'S CROSS St. Bride 's cross stood a little way back from Shoreby , on the skirts of Tunstall Forest . Two roads met : one , from Holywood across the forest ; one , that road from Risingham down which we saw the wrecks of a Lancastrian army fleeing in disorder . Here the two joined issue , and went on together down the hill to Shoreby ; and a little back from the point of junction , the summit of a little knoll was crowned by the ancient and weather-beaten cross . 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 XXXXX continued to advance alone .
Hawksley Shoreby colours hours mercies right steeds surcoat tryst wrecks