ise Mickleton, and very straightly I tended you my knowledge.
It is not my fault, but rather your misfortune, that you happen to be
Sir Blaise Mickleton."

Sir Blaise dropped his hand to his sword-hilt.

"You Puritan jack," he shouted, "will you try sharper conclusions?"

In a moment and involuntarily Evander's hand sought his own weapon.
It was in that moment that Halfman burst into the pleasaunce.

"Why, what's the matter here?" he cited, wielding his staff as if it
had been the scimitar of the Moor. "Hold, for your lives! For
Christian shame put by this barbarous brawl."

The disputants greeted their interrupter differently. Evander paid
Halfman's memory the tribute of an appreciative smile. Sir Blaise
turned to him as to a sympathizer and backer.

"This Puritan dog has insulted me," he cried.

Halfman nodded sagaciously. "And you would let a little of his
malapert blood for him. But it may not be."

He addressed Evander. "You are a prisoner on parole, wearing your
sword by a lady's favor, and may not use it here."

"You are in the right," Evander answered, "and I ask your lady's
pardon if for a moment I forgot where I am and why."

"Yah, yah, fox," grinned Sir Blaise, who believed that his enemy was
glad to be out of the quarrel. But Halfman, who knew better, smiled.

"There are other ways," he suggested, pleasantly, "by which
two gentlemen may void their spleen without drawing their
toasting-irons. Why should we not mimic sword-play with a pair
of honest cudgels?"

Blaise slapped his thigh approvingly, for he was good at rustic
sports. Halfman turned his dark face upon Evander.

"Has my suggestion the fortune to meet with your approval?" he asked.
Evander nodded. "Then let Sir Blaise handle his own staff, and you,
camerado, take mine--'tis of a length with your enemy's--and set to."

Halfman watched Evander narrowly while he spoke. Skill with the
rapier did not necessarily imply skill with the cudgel. He bore
Evander no grudge for overcoming him at fence, but if Sir Blaise
proved the better man with the batoon, there would be a kind of
compensation in it. He had heard that Sir Blaise was apt at
country-sports and now Sir Blaise vaunted his knowledge.

"Let me tell you to your trembling," he crowed, "that I am the best
cudgel-player in these parts. I will drub you, I will trounce you, I
will tan your hide."

"That will be as it shall be," Evander answered. He had taken the
staff that Halfman had