Rivera came back, bearing the swords wrapped from casual eye in the folds of a cloak. I drew one--a plain rapier or Spanish sword--and of as superb temper as any to come from its birth-forge of Toledo. “They are brothers, those swords,” said Noah; “there is none better. I had them from the hands of that Bey who branded us as heathen, and so fretted the friend of Henry Clay. And since, in a pastime such as we go about, a fullest confidence in one's weapon is important, you will prefer these for me if the choice be given you.” This was spoken to me. Rivera knelt down, and taking off his patron's shoes, replaced them with light fencing slippers, whereof the soles crackled with a fresh coat of resin. Then came loose overshoes, meant to protect the others on the road to Gads-by's from intervening mud. Having done this, and saying not a word whether of question or remark, the boy stood back as waiting the next command. I was ever reckoned a judge of anything on two legs or four, as became the best quartermaster the General ever had, and I've yet to glimpse so perfect--so splendidly, so accurately perfect--an example of the physical man as showed in this youth, with his brown hair, brown eyes, dark skin, and round thick neck like the carved column of some sculptor. It was time to be off for Gadsby's, no mighty journey, being just across the street. As we were about departing, Noah called to Rivera, who exhibited no more distrust of a finale than was present with the other, and observed: “I shall be hungry on my return. Have a fowl and a flask of wine set out for me in my own rooms.” Rivera bowed as one who understands; and giving me the cloak to be still a refuge for the Toledoes, watched us, as by a side door we got onto the walk and headed for Gadsby's over the way. There were the four of us, Noah, Kendall, Hill, and myself, when we came into that great room of Gadsby's which was reserved for routs and dancing. It was a large and lofty room with a gallery all about. We had the place to ourselves for the moment; Pigeon-breast and his principal were yet to arrive upon the scene. Noah kicked off the overshoes, and stepped and scrubbed his feet against the flooring boards. The experiment ended to his taste. “The resin holds,” he remarked. Then glancing about the vast apartment, he came back to me with a smile: “It's like fighting in a 10-acre field,” said he. Pigeon-breast appeared by a far door. Besides his bully principal, there were two others, for I had named the propriety of witnesses and suggested the number. I crossed over and greeted Pigeon-breast, and then led him aside. “Is either of the gentlemen with you,” said I, “a surgeon?” “Why, no,” returned Pigeon-breast, “the thing clean slipped my mind.” “It might be well to send, then,” I said, “for I think he will be wanted.” Pigeon-breast spoke to the others, who, with Catron between them, had continued near the door. Pigeon-breast, after a word, returned to me.