The attack had begun, by a common signal, on all the five issues of
the quarter. Gloucester was beleaguered upon every side; and Dick
judged, if he would make good his post, he must rely entirely on
the hundred men of his command.
Seven volleys of arrows followed one upon the other, and in the
very thick of the discharges Dick was touched from behind upon the
arm, and found a page holding out to him a leathern jack,
strengthened with bright plates of mail.
"It is from my Lord of Gloucester," said the page. "He hath
observed, Sir Richard, that ye went unarmed."
Dick, with a glow at his heart at being so addressed, got to his
feet and, with the assistance of the page, donned the defensive
coat. Even as he did so, two arrows rattled harmlessly upon the
plates, and a third struck down the page, mortally wounded, at his
feet.
Meantime the whole body of the enemy had been steadily drawing
nearer across the market-place; and by this time were so close at
hand that Dick gave the order to return their shot.
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