"Farewell," I said carelessly as I departed, though I was amazed to hear a man with a pierced arm speak so lightly. Courage was not a quality which my cousin had to seek. So I left him in high good humour with myself, much pleased at my own prowess, and sensible that all immediate annoyance from that quarter was at an end. Little man knows what God hath prepared for him. Had it not been for his defeat, Gilbert had not left Holland, and my greater misfortunes had never happened. And yet at that hour I rejoiced that I had rid myself of a torment. Nicol was awaiting me, and soon I was arrayed in my coat once more, for the air was shrewdly cold. My servant was pale as I had never seen him before, and it was clear that he had watched the combat with much foreboding. "Eh, Maister John," he cried, "ye’re a braw fechter. I never likit ye half as weel. I thocht a’ was up whiles, but ye aye cam to yoursel’ as sprig as a wull-cat. Ye’re maybe a wee thing weak i’ the heid-cuts, though," he added. "I’ll hae to see to ye. It’s no what ye micht ca’ profitable to be aye proddin’ a man in the wame, for ye may prick him a’ ower and him no muckle the waur. But a guid cleavin’ slash on the harns is maist judeecious. It wad kill a stirk." It was still early and we had breakfasted sparely, so we sought a tavern of good repute, _The Three Crows_, and made a hearty meal, washing it down with the best Rhenish. I was so mightily pleased with my victory, like a child with its toy, that I held my head a full inch higher, and would yield the causeway to no man. I do believe if M. Balagny or the great Lord Herbert had challenged me I would not have refused. Some three days later I had sure tidings that my cousin had sailed for Leith and was thought to have no design of returning. CHAPTER VII I SPEND MY DAYS IN IDLENESS