"Most certainly. My mother was a woman on the streets, and my father was probably some chance acquaintance of a day or two, though I never heard his name, or have I ever met him; but if you think my ancestry makes me an inferior being to your self, I shall take pleasure in proving that a man's worth depends entirely on the education or training he gives himself, mentally or physically." "You speak with great precision," laughed Barron, "and I am sorry not to have time to discuss your theory to a better advantage. That tall pine tree ahead, with the eagle's nest in its top, is a trifle over three miles from Judkins' Hall, so I regret to have to bid you good evening." "If that really be so we shall all turn about here and go back to the boat. We shall proceed no further in this direction. I suppose you know I am master of arms on the frigate and quite capable of enforcing my words with this." And he whipped out a long shining sword and his silent mate did likewise. "Of course you gentlemen will not resort to anything so vulgar and absurd as resistance. Therefore turn your horses and we may discuss other matters." My temper had been steadily rising for some minutes past, and now it burst beyond my control. I snatched out my rapier and dug my heels into my horse's ribs. The animal sprang forward twenty paces. Then I drew up and wheeled suddenly, and then bore down on that Corporal with all speed, my sword point aimed at his breast. There was a crash as the animals and weapons met, and the next thing I knew I was lying on my back by the roadside, grasping the hilt of my puny, broken sword tightly in my right hand. Barron sat quietly in his saddle and laughed immoderately at me, while the soldier seized my horse by the bridle and bade me remount. I sat up in the roadway a little dazed, but, collecting myself, I felt under my coat to see if my pistols were all right. They were there, so I arose, and, taking my horse from the Corporal, climbed painfully back into the saddle again. Barron then drew his weapon and slowly placed himself on guard. "You may or may not be right in your theory, Mr. Soldier," said he, "but we are not to accompany you back to Dunmore. Mr. Judkins is a very young and inexperienced swordsman compared to yourself, but his mishap was due more to the worthlessness of his weapon than lack of skill." "Tut! tut! I shall be forced to secure both of you with cords, if this nonsense proceeds any further," said the Corporal. "Put up your sword and waste no more time. Jim!" he called to his mate, "pass a line about Mr. Judkin's wrists, lest he continue this nonsense past supper time." The soldier approached and bade me hold forth my hands that he might secure them with a line he produced from under his belt. I saw there was no use of putting off the crisis any longer, so I held out one of them--my right--and in it was gripped the butt of the straightest shooting pistol on the Virginia peninsula.