`` They began to come , Master Dick , '' said Greensheve , `` about the time ye crossed the wall . I had not lain there the space of a minute ere I marked the first of the knaves crawling round the corner . '' The last light had been already extinguished in the little house when they were wading in the wash of the breakers , and it was impossible to predict at what moment the lurking men about the garden wall might make their onslaught . Of two evils , Dick preferred the least . He preferred that Joanna should remain under the guardianship of Sir Daniel rather than pass into the clutches of Lord Shoreby ; and his mind was made up , if the house should be assaulted , to come at once to the relief of the besieged . But the time passed , and still there was no movement . From quarter of an hour to quarter of an hour the same signal passed about the garden wall , as if the leader desired to assure himself of the vigilance of his scattered followers ; but in every other particular the neighbourhood of the little house lay undisturbed . Presently Dick 's reinforcements began to arrive . The night was not yet old before nearly a score of men crouched beside him in the gorse . Separating these into two bodies , he took the command of the smaller himself , and entrusted the larger to the leadership of Greensheve . `` Now , Kit , '' said he to this last , `` take me your men to the near angle of the garden wall upon the beach . Post them strongly , and wait till that ye hear me falling on upon the other side . It is those upon the sea front that I would fain make certain of , for there will be the leader . The rest will run ; even let them . And now , lads , let no man draw an arrow ; ye will but hurt friends . Take to the steel , and keep to the steel ; and if we have the uppermost , I promise every man of you a gold noble when I come to mine estate . '' Out of the odd collection of broken men , thieves , murderers , and ruined peasantry , whom Duckworth had gathered together to serve the purposes of his revenge , some of the boldest and the most experienced in war had volunteered to follow Richard Shelton . The service of watching Sir Daniel 's movements in the town of Shoreby had from the first been irksome to their temper , and they had of late begun to grumble loudly and threaten to disperse . The prospect of a sharp encounter and possible spoils restored them to good humour , and they joyfully prepared for battle . Their long tabards thrown aside , they appeared , some in plain green jerkins , and some in stout leathern jacks ; under their hoods many wore bonnets strengthened by iron plates ; and , for offensive armour , swords , daggers , a few stout boar-spears , and a dozen of bright bills , put them in a posture to engage even regular feudal troops .
The bows , quivers , and tabards were concealed among the XXXXX , and the two bands set resolutely forward .
Daniel Dick Greensheve bonnets daggers gorse hour jerkins minute night