d bloody as well.

From the very first of the fight Myles Falworth was palpably and
obviously overmatched. After fifteen minutes had passed, Blunt stood
hale and sound as at first; but poor Myles had more than one red stain
of warm blood upon doublet and hose, and more than one bandage had been
wrapped by Gascoyne and Wilkes about sore wounds.

He had received no serious injury as yet, for not only was his body
protected by a buckler, or small oblong shield, which he carried upon
his left arm, and his head by a bascinet, or light helmet of steel, but
perhaps, after all, Blunt was not over-anxious to do him any dangerous
harm. Nevertheless, there could be but one opinion as to how the fight
tended, and Myles's friends were gloomy and downcast; the bachelors
proportionately exultant, shouting with laughter, and taunting Myles at
every unsuccessful stroke.

Once, as he drew back panting, leaning upon Gascoyne's shoulder, the
faithful friend whispered, with trembling lips: "Oh, dear Myles, carry
it no further. Thou hurtest him not, and he will slay thee ere he have
done with thee."

Thereupon Blunt, who caught the drift of the speech, put in a word.
"Thou art sore hurt, Myles Falworth," said he, "and I would do thee no
grievous harm. Yield thee and own thyself beaten, and I will forgive
thee. Thou hast fought a good fight, and there is no shame in yielding
now."

"Never!" cried Myles, hoarsely--"never will I yield me! Thou mayst slay
me, Walter Blunt, and I reck not if thou dost do so, but never else wilt
thou conquer me."

There was a tone of desperation in his voice that made all look serious.

"Nay," said Blunt; "I will fight thee no more, Myles Falworth; thou hast
had enough."

"By heavens!" cried Myles, grinding his teeth, "thou shalt fight me,
thou coward! Thou hast brought this fight upon us, and either thou or I
get our quittance here. Let go, Gascoyne!" he cried, shaking loose his
friend's hold; "I tell thee he shall fight me!"

From that moment Blunt began to lose his head. No doubt he had not
thought of such a serious fight as this when he had given his challenge,
and there was a savage bull-dog tenacity about Myles that could not but
have had a somewhat demoralizing effect upon him.

A few blows were given and taken, and then Myles's friends gave a shout.
Blunt drew back, and placed his hand to his shoulder. When he drew
it away again it was stained with red, and another red stain grew and
spread ra