his further retreat, Oswald, with
a couple of springs, managed to shift his ground. When he saw that
Marsden was growing breathless from his exertions, he again took the
offensive, and at last landed a blow fairly on his opponent's helm.

"By my faith," the squire said, with a laugh that had nevertheless a
little mortification in it, "I would as soon fight with a wildcat; and
yet your breath scarce comes fast, while I have not as much left in me
as would fill an eggshell."

"It was an excellent display," Allonby said.

"Truly, lad, your activity is wonderful, and you might well puzzle the
oldest swordsman, by such tactics. Marsden did exceedingly well, too.
Many times I thought that your sword would have gone home, but up to
the last, his guard was always ready in time. As for yourself, we had
scarce the opportunity of seeing how your sword would guard your head,
for you trusted always to your legs, rather than your arms.

"Well, lad, you will do. Your arm is like iron, or it would have tired
long before, with that sword, which is a little over heavy for you. As
to your wind, you would tire out the stoutest swordsman in the Percys'
train. I do not say that, in the press of a battle, where your activity
would count for little, a good man-at-arms would not get the better of
you; but in a single combat, with plenty of room, it would be a good
man, indeed, who would tackle you; especially were he clad in armour,
and you fighting without it. His only chance would be to get in one
downright blow, that would break down your guard. As Marsden says, you
fight like a wildcat, rather than as a man-at-arms; but as the time may
come when you will ride in heavy armour, and so lose the advantage of
your agility, you had best continue to practise regularly with us, and
the men-at-arms, and learn to fight in the fashion that would be
needed, were you engaged in a pitched battle when on horseback, and in
armour."

"I shall be glad, indeed, to do so," Oswald said modestly. "I know that
I am very ignorant of real swordsmanship, and the men-at-arms have me
quite at their mercy, when they insist upon my not shifting my ground.
At home, I have only practised with my father's troopers, and we always
fight on foot, and with stout sticks instead of swords, and without
defences save our head pieces; but fighting in knightly fashion I knew
nothing of, until I came here."

"You will soon acquire that, lad. With your strength of arm, length o