Even as Dick entered,
the loud chorus began to thunder in the vaulted roofs.
He hurried through the groups of refugees, and came to the door of
the stair that led into the steeple. And here a tall churchman
stepped before him and arrested his advance.
"Whither, my son?" he asked, severely.
"My father," answered Dick, "I am here upon an errand of
expedition. Stay me not. I command here for my Lord of
Gloucester."
"For my Lord of Gloucester?" repeated the priest. "Hath, then, the
battle gone so sore?"
"The battle, father, is at an end, Lancaster clean sped, my Lord of
Risingham--Heaven rest him!--left upon the field. And now, with
your good leave, I follow mine affairs." And thrusting on one side
the priest, who seemed stupefied at the news, Dick pushed open the
door and rattled up the stairs four at a bound, and without pause
or stumble, till he stepped upon the open platform at the top.
Shoreby Church tower not only commanded the town, as in a map, but
looked far, on both sides, over sea and land.
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