make some
insulting gesture at the lad behind--one that would make him, if he had
any courage within, come running rapidly in pursuit. But the act would
have seemed too weak and boyish, when he wanted to be manly; and he
refrained, contenting himself with dragging hard at the rein, till a
hundred yards farther the ground grew stony again, and the pony dropped
into a walk, and picked its way in and out more slowly than ever.

This had the result that Mark desired, for a glance back showed him that
Ralph was coming on fast, and in a few minutes he had overtaken him,
just as he sprang off his pony and faced round.

"Oh, it is you," said Mark haughtily.

"Yes," said Ralph, meeting his eyes boldly.

"I thought it was. Well, you are not lame now?"

"No."

"And I see you have a sword."

"Yes, I have my sword."

"Then as we are equal now, and if you are not afraid, we may as well
have a little conversation with them."

"Fight?" said Ralph quietly. "Why?"

"Ha-ha!" laughed Mark, with his face flushing. "Why? Because we are
gentlemen, I suppose; because we have been taught to use our swords; at
least I have; and it's the worse for you if you have not."

"But I have," said Ralph firmly, his own cheeks beginning to look hot;
"but I don't see that this is a reason why we two should fight."

"Then I'll give you another," cried Mark; "because you are a Darley, and
I am an Eden, and we cannot meet without drawing swords. Your people
were always a set of cut-throats, murderers, robbers, and thieves."

"It's a lie," cried Ralph hotly. "My people were always gentlemen. It
was your people who always insulted ours, as you are insulting me now,
and did a few minutes ago, when you passed me going quietly on my way."

"That's enough," said Mark sharply. "Out of the way, beast," and he
drew his sword and struck the cob sharply on the flank, sending it
trotting onward at the risk of breaking its knees.

"This is your doing," said Ralph quietly, as he threw down his rod, and
passed the strap of his creel over his head, to swing it after.

"Bah! don't talk," cried Mark hotly. "This place will do. It is as
fair for you as for me."

He made a gesture with his sword toward a tolerably level spot, and
Ralph bowed his head.

"Then draw," cried Mark, throwing down his cap.

Ralph followed his example, and the next moment his own bright blade
leaped from its sheath, and without further preliminary, they crossed
their tr