In an hour or two , there rose a stir in the village of sentries challenging and the clatter of arms and horses ; and then a troop drew up by the inn door , and Richard Shelton , splashed with mud , presented himself upon the threshold . `` Save you , Sir Daniel , '' he said . `` How ! Dickie Shelton ! '' cried the knight ; and at the mention of Dick 's name the other lad looked curiously across . `` What maketh Bennet Hatch ? '' `` Please you , sir knight , to take cognisance of this packet from Sir Oliver , wherein are all things fully stated , '' answered Richard , presenting the priest 's letter . `` And please you farther , ye were best make all speed to Risingham ; for on the way hither we encountered one riding furiously with letters , and by his report , my Lord of Risingham was sore bested , and lacked exceedingly your presence . '' `` How say you ? Sore bested ? '' returned the knight . `` Nay , then , we will make speed sitting down , good Richard . As the world goes in this poor realm of England , he that rides softliest rides surest . Delay , they say , begetteth peril ; but it is rather this itch of doing that undoes men ; mark it , Dick . But let me see , first , what cattle ye have brought . Selden , a link here at the door ! '' And Sir Daniel strode forth into the village street , and , by the red glow of a torch , inspected his new troops . He was an unpopular neighbour and an unpopular master ; but as a leader in war he was well-beloved by those who rode behind his pennant . His dash , his proved courage , his forethought for the soldiers ' comfort , even his rough gibes , were all to the taste of the bold blades in jack and salet . `` Nay , by the rood ! ''
he XXXXX , `` what poor dogs are these ?
bested cried goes please presenting riding see stated stir take