"Stop!" said the leader, holding up a hand. "Such ranting will not help us. Young man," he added, frowning on me, "’tis clear that you are up to no good purpose; and now I come to think of it, you did deceive me when I spoke about the pistol shots we heard. Yea, verily, methinks the statement of our comrade here is true. But say, now, are you for us or against us?" "Neither." "Ah, there you stand condemned. A man who fights and kills as you have done this night, and then claims that he takes no side, is little to my liking. I trust him not. Therefore, lay down your sword and pistols and come with us peaceably. So shall your words be proven, whether they be true or false. Down with your arms, I say!" I did not move, but gripped my sword a little tighter, and stood ready for the worst. "You will not yield, then?" he went on, after watching me intently for a moment. "Try me and see," I answered curtly. "Which means a threat of further violence," quoth he. "Nay, a simple invitation," I replied. "Ah, so you mock me, eh?" He took a threatening step towards me. "Have a care! I pray you have a care!" sang Harland from behind. "That sword of his is over-ready, as my poor comrade Adam Blunt proved to his cost." "Perchance your comrade lacked my skill," returned the leader sneeringly. "Again I ask, young man, wilt yield?" "And again I answer--try me and prove the matter," I replied. "I pray you let us fall upon him in a heap," cried Harland. "His pistols count for naught, for one of them hath been discharged and the other hath been soaked with water. Let us fall to, I say, and smite him hip and thigh." "What now!" rejoined the other, turning on him angrily. "Dost take me for a craven coward? Do I, who fought in Cromwell’s Ironsides, and who with this same blade have slain a good score of lusty fellows; do I, I say, need help from such as you against this stripling? Nay, verily, I trow not. I give you one more chance, young man," he added turning to me. "Wilt yield?" "Not while I have a sword and life," I answered firmly. "Your blood be on your head, then, not on mine," said he. "Friends, bear witness that I would have spared this fellow; also mark well my strokes, from which ye may learn something. Now, back with you and give us room." They fell back hurriedly, and next moment we were at it tooth and nail. That was a fight indeed, and one which even now, with over forty years between, still sets my blood a-tingling when I think of it.