how much more then is it proper to test those of our comrades in arms i should draw out if it may be done murmured in s ear the man is a noted and far above your strength came however of that sturdy saxon blood which is very slowly heated but once up not easily to be cooled the hint of danger which threw out was the one thing needed to his resolution i came here at the of my master he said and i looked on every man here as an englishman and a friend this gentleman hath shown me a rough welcome and if i have answered him in the same spirit he has but himself to thank i will pick the glove up but i shall abide by what i have done unless he first my pardon for what he hath said and done shrugged his shoulders you have done what you could to save him he said we had best settle at once so say i cried the council will not break up until the banquet a gray haired squire tou bi ve clear two hours and the the yard is empty at this hour nay it must not be within the grounds of the court or it may go bard with all if it come to the ears of the prince but there is a quiet spot near the river said one youth we have but to pass the abbey grounds along the wall past the church of st and so down the des ap then cried shortly and the whole assembly out into the open air save only those whom the special orders of their masters held to their posts these crowded to the small and their necks after the throng as far as they could catch a of them close to the bank of the there lay a little tract of green with the high wall of a prior s garden upon one side and an orchard with a thick of apple trees upon the other the river ran deep and swift up to the steep bank but there were few boats upon it and the ships were far out in the centre of the stream here the two drew their swords and threw off their for neither had any the with its stately etiquette had not yet come into but rough and sudden were as common as they must ever be when hot headed youth goes abroad with a weapon to its waist in such as well as in the formal sports of the had won a name for strength and dexterity which had caused to utter his well meant warning on the other band bad used his weapons in con exercise and practice for every day for many months and being by nature quick of eye and prompt of hand he might now as no mean a strangely opposed pair they appeared as they approached each other dark and stout and stiff with hairy chest and arms a model of and grace with bis hair and bis skin as fair as a woman s an unequal fight it seemed to most but there were a few and they the most experienced who saw something in the youth s steady gray eye and wary step which left the issue open hold hold cried ere blow had been struck this gentleman hath a two handed sword a good foot longer than that of our friend take mine said ford nay friends he answered i understand the weight and balance of mine own to work sir for our lord may need us s great sword was indeed a mighty in his favor he stood with his feet close together his knees bent outward ready for a dash inward or a spring out the weapon he held straight up in front of him with blade erect so that he might either bring it down with a swinging blow or by a turn of the heavy blade he might guard his own head and body a further protection lay in the broad and powerful guard which crossed the and which was furnished with a deep and narrow in which an expert might catch his s blade and by a quick turn of his wrist might snap it across on the other hand must trust for his defence to his quick eye and active foot � for his sword though keen as a could make it was of a light and graceful build with a narrow sloping and a steel well knew his advantage and lost little time in putting it to use as his opponent walked toward him he suddenly bounded forward and sent in a whistling cut i which would have severed the other in twain had he not sprung lightly back from it so close was it that the point a in the edge of his linen quick as a sprang in with a thrust bat who was as active as he was strong had already recovered himself and turned it aside with a movement of his heavy blade again he in a blow which made the spectators hold their breath and again very quickly and swiftly slid from under it and sent two lightning which the other could scarce so close were they to each other that had no time to spring back from the next out which beat down his sword and his forehead sending the blood streaming into his eyes and down his cheeks he sprang out beyond sword sweep and the pair stood breathing heavily while the crowd of young their applause bravely struck on both sides cried you have both won honor from this meeting and it would be sin and shame to let it go further you have done enough said you have carried yourself well cried several of the older for my part i have no wish to this young man said wiping his brow does this 