this I did not
divine his object, which was to force me back against the tree. As I
stepped back to avoid a lunge more savage than the others, I felt my
heel strike the tree. This put me something off my guard. He seized
the opportunity, and drove his sword at my chest with all the remaining
strength in his villainous body. I stepped aside, and gave him my
straight point in the right shoulder, near the neck. However, I had
not been quick enough; for I felt a sharp twinge in the fleshy part of
my left arm, as he nailed it to the oak. His sword snapped off short,
and I was left pinned to the tree, as I have seen boys do with
butterflies. Catesby fell, bathed in blood; but methinks it were more
from exhaustion than from his wound that he did fall; for the latter
was but little more serious than mine own. Sir Frederick pulled at the
blade with his handkerchief wound around his hand, and at length set me
free. Catesby soon regained consciousness, and we were bandaged
carefully with cloths that had been brought for the purpose.

[Illustration: "The signal was then given."]

As I saw him walk off, leaning on the arm of Ratcliffe, I regretted
that I had not given him my point lower down.

But there came a time when I would have given ten years of my life for
the same opportunity of ridding the world of this accursed villain.
But ye, my children, shall judge of that later on in this story.

CHAPTER IX

THE KING'S DEATH

Mine arm was quite sore and stiff for some weeks; but as I had at that
time no duties to attend to, it did attract but little attention. I
kept to my rooms most of the time, but occasionally took a walk through
the park with my fair Hazel by my side.

She was greatly alarmed when she learned that I had been wounded; and
she lectured me most severely for so exposing myself to such "foolish
dangers," as she was pleased to call them.

"For you know," said she, looking up at me with her head held to the
one side, and her face most serious, "if thou shouldst be killed, it
would kill me too; so, for my sake, promise me that thou wilt fight no
more those fearful duels. Heaven knows 'tis bad enough when thou, as a
soldier, hast to fight battles; but this murder should not be permitted
in a Christian land."

"But, my darling," I replied, "when one man doth insult another the one
which is insulted must avenge himself."

"Yes, but if men would ever learn not to insult each other there should
be