of homily. In THE BLACK ARROW, Dick Shelton begs from the Duke of
Gloucester the life of the old shipmaster Arblaster, whose ship he
had taken and accidentally wrecked earlier in the story. The Duke
of Gloucester, who, in his own words, 'loves not mercy nor mercy-
mongers,' yields the favour reluctantly. Then Dick turns to
Arblaster.


' "Come," said Dick, "a life is a life, old shrew, and it is more
than ships or liquor. Say you forgive me, for if your life is
worth nothing to you, it hath cost me the beginnings of my fortune.
Come, I have paid for it dearly, be not so churlish."

' "An I had my ship," said Arblaster, "I would 'a' been forth and
safe on the high seas - I and my man Tom. But ye took my ship,
gossip, and I'm a beggar; and for my man Tom, a knave fellow in
russet shot him down, 'Murrain,' quoth he, and spake never again.
'Murrain' was the last of his words, and the poor spirit of him
passed. 'A will never sail no more, will my Tom."

'Dick was seized with unavailing penitence and pity; he sought to
take the skipper's hand, but Arblaster avoided his touch.

' "Nay," said he, "let be. Y' have played the devil with me, and
let that content you."

'The words died in Richard's throat. He saw, through tears, the
poor old man, bemused with liquor and sorrow, go shambling away,
with bowed head, across the snow, and the unnoticed dog whimpering
at his heels; and for the first time began to understand the