What could he do? He looked round. What was it that flickered against his face? The air was piercingly cold, and the moon had become obscured by a thickening of the air. Ralph had opened his visor, that he might attend his lord more easily. Again something flickered in his face, cold and feathery. It was snowing. Here was a fresh cause for anxiety. Alone in that sequestered valley, who could bring them help? And he did not dare to leave his lord alone, for fear that caitiff should return to finish the murderous work. As Ralph looked round in despair at the dreary scene, his heart sank within him. The landscape was fast becoming one grey indistinguishable blot, and the feeble light of the hidden moon was turning to a sickly livid hue. In a short time, too, he knew the moon would set. A faint noise on the left caused Ralph to look round. The four bodies lay still and stark; but there was something moving out of the grey obscurity of the distance. Ralph closed his visor and handled his sword. The dark object drew nearer, and a yellow spark seemed to be coming with it. Ralph called out,-- "Whoever thou art, hasten thy steps; if foe, that I may handle thee, or if friend, that thou mayest help my lord." "’Tis a friend, my son, and I come apace as fast as my stiffening joints will let me," cried a deep voice. "Thank Heaven!" murmured the esquire. "Then my lord will not die." By this time the dim shadow had come nearer, and Ralph saw that there were two figures--one tall and burly, the other short and slight. Both were draped in long cloaks, partially covered with the fast-falling snow. The taller of the new comers carried a lantern. Dim and ghostly the figures looked in their peaked hoods and long mantles, entirely concealing face and form. "Ah! we have come in time: no, no, too late!" and the slighter figure uttered a shrill and bitter cry of pain, as it bent over the lifeless mass of armour which held the unknown knight. "Look to my lord first," said Ralph shortly. "My son, ’tis the young child’s father; my lord will wait," answered the elder stranger mildly, as he went to help his childish companion. But Ralph barred the way. "Whoever thou art, thou shall see to my lord first," he cried, in a resolute tone. Seeing the fierceness of the youth, the old man quietly answered,-- "As thou wilt, my son; but thou shouldest respect youth, old age, and filial grief. But go thou and help the child, while I attend to thy lord." Ralph, rebuked, did as he was told, there was such dignity, gentleness, and authority in the voice and manner of the tall stranger. It was now very difficult to see. The moon had set, and the snow was falling fast, while the wind sighed mournfully through the withered boughs and twigs of the lonely thorn tree.