do, my lad; so let's get to something better. Now, I'm
going to thrust at you right in the chest. Enemies don't tell you where
they're going to hit you, but I'm going to tell you. Now, look out!"

Roy prepared to guard the thrust, but the point of the old man's stick
struck him sharply in the chest, and he winced a little, but smiled.

"Now, sir, you do that, but harder."

Roy obeyed, but failed dismally.

"Of course," said Ben. "Now that's because you didn't try the right
way, sir. Don't poke at a man, but throw your arm right back till you
get your hand level with your shoulder, and sword and arm just in a
line. Then thrust right out, and let your body follow your arm,--then
you get some strength into it. Now, once more."

Roy followed his teacher's instructions.

"Better--ever so much, sir. Now again--good; again--good. You'll soon
do it. Now, can't you see what a lot of weight you get into a thrust
like that? One of your pokes would have done nothing. One like that
last would have sent your blade through a man. Now again."

Roy was now fully upon his mettle, and he tried hard to acquire some
portion of the old soldier's skill, till his arm ached, and Ben cried
"Halt!" and began to chat about the old-fashioned armour.

"Lots of it was too clumsy, sir. Strong men were regularly loaded down;
and I've thought for a long time that all a man wants is a steel cap and
steel gloves. All the rest he ought to be able to do with his sword."

"But you can't ward off bullets with a sword, Ben," said Roy.

"No, sir; nor you can't ward 'em off with armour. They find out the
jyntes, if they don't go through."

"Would that suit of half-armour be much too big for me, Ben?" said Roy,
pausing before a bronzed ornamental set of defensive weapons, which had
evidently been the work of some Italian artist.

"No, sir, I shouldn't think it would. You see that was made for a small
man, and you're a big lad. If you were to put that on, and used a bit
o' stuffing here and there, you wouldn't be so much amiss. It's in fine
condition, too, with its leather lining, and that's all as lissome and
good as when it was first made."

"I should like to try that on some day, Ben," said the boy, eagerly
examining the handsome suit.

"Well, I don't see why not, sir. You'd look fine in that. Wants three
or four white ostrich feathers in the little gilt holder of the helmet.
White uns would look well with that dark armour.