cross swords with the best of them and 
(ROOT (S (VP (VB cross) (NP (NNS swords)) (PP (IN with) (NP (NP (DT the) (JJS best)) (PP (IN of) (NP (PRP them)))))) (CC and)))
(ROOT (S (VP (VB ) (NP (NNS )) (PP (IN ) (NP (NP (DT ) (JJS )) (PP (IN ) (NP (PRP )))))) (CC )))