The Black Arrow · Chapter
The Den explained
Dick and Lawless disguise themselves as friars and set out for Shoreby.
What happens
Dick and Lawless disguise themselves as friars and set out for Shoreby. Lawless reveals his dual nature as a loyal friend and a thief, and they test their disguises by confronting three of their own outlaw companions at a farmhouse, leaving a black arrow as a calling card.
Themes in this chapter
Identity and Disguise
Dick and Lawless adopt monkish robes and painted faces to infiltrate Sir Daniel's territory, testing their disguises on their own comrades.
Loyalty and Betrayal
Lawless openly admits he would rob Dick if thirsty, yet proves his loyalty by risking his life to help Dick reach Joanna.
Characters to notice
- Dick Shelton
Disguises himself as a monk under Lawless's instruction; buries compromising papers, keeping only Sir Daniel's letter to Lord Wensleydale.
- Will Lawless
Disguises himself as a friar; reveals his thieving nature but also his loyalty; produces black arrows and a disguise kit from his chest.
- John Capper
One of the outlaws at the farmhouse; rudely orders the disguised monks away.
Key passages
“Brother, y'are but a child... I am a kind old Christian, and no traitor to men's blood, and no sparer of mine own in a friend's jeopardy. But, fool, child, I am a thief by trade and birth and habit.”
Lawless tells Dick that although he is a loyal friend who would risk his life for him, he is also a thief by nature and would rob him if desperate.
Lawless explains his dual nature to Dick, emphasizing the tension between loyalty and his thieving instincts.
“Ye go too much on other people's errands, Master Dick. Ye go on Ellis's; but he desireth rather the death of Sir Daniel. Ye go on Lord Foxham's; well—the saints preserve him!—doubtless he meaneth well. But go ye upon your own, good Dick.”
Lawless advises Dick to stop serving others' agendas and instead pursue his own goal of winning Joanna.
Lawless urges Dick to prioritize his personal quest for Joanna over the revenge plots of Ellis Duckworth and Lord Foxham.