"Faith though you wrestle well," one spoke, "it doth not make you an archer. For here you find true archery than which none can do better." "And I carry a club I would fain try on your thick skull," said another who was even less gentle spoken. "Of a good time, my friend, and you may," replied the lone knave. "No such time befits the same as now," replied the first knave. "If they will wait for my trial with bow and arrow I would be the last to keep you waiting." So spoke the stranger. So then one of the knaves hurried away and received permission. "Then furnish me a club," said the stranger. "Here then is mine," offered the third knave. Yet, forsooth, the club was but a sorry one and so the unknown would not use it. "Then show you a coward's heart," replied he who would strive with him. And then the three rushed upon the stranger and would do him hurt. So now came bearing down on the three none other than Allan who had overheard the parley. "For shame, knaves. No true men would treat stranger so. He asks nothing more than is fair. Give him a club of his choosing." "Of a faith, young master, this quarrel is none of yours, and warrants no interference. Leave this fellow to us, and we shall give him clubbing of his choosing." And the man who addressed the boy, though he looked not straight at him, growled surlily. "I shall give you a thrashing, fool, unless you do my bidding," replied the boy, hotly. But the three surly brutes moved uneasily. And then came Sir Percival forward. "What have we here?" he asked. So Allan waited for the men to say. But they, now frightened, made no spoken word. "These knaves would play foul tricks on this strange fellow. This one, would strive with him and yet would not offer other club than this. And when the stranger asked to have one of his choice they called him coward and would beat him." "And I doubt not, fools, this club you offer will not stand one blow." So Sir Percival brought it down on the first knave's head, and, lo, though the blow was not a hard one, yet did the club break in two. "So methought. Now go you Allan and get club that will do. And then will you, stranger, give this villain a sound trouncing." And Sir Percival stayed so that the troublemakers did not depart. So Allan brought a club which suited the stranger. Now did the two battle long and well. Both the stranger and he who fought with him were of great strength and each was exceeding quick. As wood struck wood and each tried to get full blow upon the other, so turned all eyes upon the two. And except for glancing blows neither could bring the other down. And though the sparks flew, yet each held his club and was hardly hurt. So now they rested for a few moments. And while they waited, the stranger turned to Allan and spoke. "I thank you for your brave upstanding of me, young master. And I hope some day I may serve you equally well." "You are a worthy man. Serve me now by trouncing the knave who battles with you."