Dick , threading the skirts of these skirmishers , led his followers briskly in the direction of the abbey church ; but when he came the length of the main street , a cry of horror broke from his lips . Sir Daniel 's great house had been carried by assault . The gates hung in splinters from the hinges , and a double throng kept pouring in and out through the entrance , seeking and carrying booty . Meanwhile , in the upper storeys , some resistance was still being offered to the pillagers ; for just as Dick came within eyeshot of the building , a casement was burst open from within , and a poor wretch in murrey and blue , screaming and resisting , was forced through the embrasure and tossed into the street below . The most sickening apprehension fell upon Dick . He ran forward like one possessed , forced his way into the house among the foremost , and mounted without pause to the chamber on the third floor where he had last parted from Joanna . It was a mere wreck ; the furniture had been overthrown , the cupboards broken open , and in one place a trailing corner of the arras lay smouldering on the embers of the fire . Dick , almost without thinking , trod out the incipient conflagration , and then stood bewildered . Sir Daniel , Sir Oliver , Joanna , all were gone ; but whether butchered in the rout or safe escaped from Shoreby , who should say ? He caught a passing archer by the tabard . `` Fellow , '' he asked , `` were ye here when this house was taken ? '' `` Let be , '' said the archer . `` A murrain ! let be , or I strike . '' `` Hark ye , '' returned Richard , `` two can play at that . Stand and be plain . '' But the man , flushed with drink and battle , struck Dick upon the shoulder with one hand , while with the other he twitched away his garment . Thereupon the full wrath of the young leader burst from his control . He seized the fellow in his strong embrace , and crushed him on the plates of his mailed bosom like a child ; then , holding him at arm 's length , he bid him speak as he valued life . `` I pray you mercy ! ''
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Daniel Dick Joanna archer assault casement fire murrain tabard third