his life. The recruits, perceiving the discomfiture of their leader,
armed themselves with stones; the serjeant raised his halbert in a
posture of defence, and immediately a severe action ensued. By this
time, Crabshaw had drawn his sword, and begun to lay about him like a
devil incarnate; but, in a little time, he was saluted by a volley of
stones, one of which knocked out two of his grinders, and brought him to
the earth, where he had like to have found no quarter; for the whole
company crowded about him, with their cudgels brandished; and perhaps he
owed his preservation to their pressing so hard that they hindered one
another from using their weapons.

"Sir Launcelot, seeing with indignation the unworthy treatment his squire
had received, and scorning to stain his lance with the blood of
plebeians, instead of couching it at the rest, seized it by the middle,
and fetching one blow at the serjeant, broke in twain the halbert which
he had raised as a quarter-staff for his defence. The second stroke
encountered his pate, which being the hardest part about him, sustained
the shock without damage; but the third, lighting on his ribs, he
honoured the giver with immediate prostration. The general being thus
overthrown, Sir Launcelot advanced to the relief of Crabshaw, and handled
his weapon so effectually, that the whole body of the enemy were disabled
or routed, before one cudgel had touched the carcass of the fallen
squire. As for the corporal, instead of standing by his commanding
officer, he had overleaped the hedge, and run to the constable of an
adjoining village for assistance. Accordingly, before Crabshaw could be
properly remounted, the peace officer arrived with his posse; and by the
corporal was charged with Sir Launcelot and his squire, as two
highwaymen. The constable, astonished at the martial figure of the
knight, and intimidated at sight of the havoc he had made, contented
himself with standing at a distance, displaying the badge of his office,
and reminding the knight that he represented his majesty's person.

"Sir Launcelot, seeing the poor man in great agitation, assured him that
his design was to enforce, not violate the laws of his country; and that
he and his squire would attend him to the next justice of peace; but, in
the meantime, he, in his turn, charged the peace officer with the
serjeant and drummer, who had begun the fray.

"The justice had been a pettifogger, and was a sycophant to a n