was fully advised of the number of the King's escort."

"Because it would have aroused instant suspicion and left him no
recourse but to force. He has some other plan, I warrant. Yet, should
it come to blows, Richard himself is equal to a thousand men."

"Scarce so much as that, I fancy," said De Lacy, with a laugh.
"Nathless, sooner will I ride behind the Boar of Gloucester with six
hundred swords than under the Woodville banner with thrice the number."

"Well said, by St. George!" De Wilton exclaimed. "No Lancastrian
upstart for me."

"Be not so energetic, Sir Ralph," said De Lacy, as Ratcliffe, hearing
the words, looked back. "But tell me, I pray, who are these that
approach?"

"Your eyes are keener than mine," returned De Wilton, "for I can scarce
discern them at all. Is there any banner displayed?"

"Aye, but I cannot yet distinguish the device. . . . There are at
least fifty of them, and they are riding most marvellously fast. By
St. Denis! they cannot travel far at such a pace. When the sun next
falls athwart the banner, I will try to make it out. . . There . . .
Pardieu! it is a queer bearing: _argent, à la fasce-canton à desire de
gueules_. Do you know it, or have I not read it aright?"

"Nay, your heraldry is not amiss," said De Wilton. "It is the red fess
and canton of the Woodvilles. Yonder comes Lord Anthony of Scales and
Rivers."