The pert little lads who idled about the hall began to make sport of me concerning my dress, and laughed greatly at their own wit. I paid no heed to their foolish gibes, there being no man among them. It irked me more than good sense would admit, and I left the hall, and after many vain endeavors made my way out into the open air--being right glad to breathe again without a roof above my head. I was ill at ease among all these gay gallants who minced and paced along like so many string-halted nags. It was said the King walked much in that way, and so, forsooth, must all his lords and ladies go. Perhaps it was the fashion of the court, but I stuck to the only gait I knew, a good, honest, swinging stride which could cover fifteen leagues a day at a pinch. Off to one side the water kept leaping up into the air as I am told the spouting springs do in the Dacotah country. I walked that way and was soon lost in wonderment at the contemplation of a vast bronze basin filled with curious brazen beasts, half men half fishes, the like of which I had never seen. Some had horns from which they blew sparkling streams; others astride of strange sea monsters plunged about and cast up jets of water. It all made so much noise I scarcely heard a voice behind me say: "I'll lay a golden Louis his coat is of as queer a cut as his nether garment--whatever its outlandish name maybe." "Done," said another voice. I gave no heed, thinking they meant not me, until a dapper little chap, all plumed and belaced, stepped in front of me with a most lordly air. "Hey, friend, who is thy tailor?" and behind me rang out the merry laugh at such a famous jest. I turned and there being a party of fine ladies at my back full gladly would I have retired, had not the young braggart swaggered to my front again and persisted: "Friend, let us see the cut of thy coat." We men of the forest accustomed to the rough ways of a camp, and looking not for insult, are slow to anger, so I only asked as politely as might be, because of the ladies: "And wherefore?" "Because I say so, sir," he replied, most arrogantly and stamping his foot, "cast off thy cloak that we may see." I still stood undecided, scarce knowing what to think, and being ignorant of fashions at court. De Brienne--for that was his name--mistaking my hesitation, advanced and laying his hand upon my cloak would have torn it off, had I not brushed him aside so vigorously he stumbled and fell to the ground. I had no thought of using strength sufficient to throw him down. He sprang up instantly, and, furious, drew his sword. I felt my own wrath rise at sight of cold steel--it was ever a way of mine beyond control--and asked him hotly: "How is it affair of thine what manner of coat I wear?" He made no reply, but, raising his arm, said, menacingly; "Now, clown, show thy coat, or I'll spit thee like a dog."