“Gramercy for thy condescension, my good lord,” cried he, mockingly; “it is but too much honour for a poor esquire like me!”
“It is too much honour for thee!” said Alured, sternly, “not because thou art a poor esquire, but because thou art a malapert and ill-mannered cub. Look well to thyself, for thou hast deserved no mercy!”
Taking up the sword and buckler used by Wade (who flushed with pleasure at the implied compliment), the knight faced the esquire.
Humphrey was no mean swordsman; but he had to do with one who had overcome the flashing strokes of Moorish scimitars wielded by the best warriors of Grenada. Slash and hew as he might, he could find no opening: some of his blows were wasted on the air, and others parried with a force that made his arm tingle to the shoulder.
Thrice did he dash at his foe, and thrice was he driven back, foiled and panting; and at every repulse the cheers of the lookers-on grew louder and more joyous, till the hot-headed challenger lost his temper outright.
All at once Alured attacked in turn, enveloping the bewildered bully in a whirlwind of blows against which no guard could avail. Two crushing strokes beat down his buckler, and a wrench that seemed almost to twist his sword-arm out of joint sent his blade flying half across the ring, and he stood defenceless, while a roar of delight hailed his discomfiture.
“Holy father,” said Alured, handing the gold he had won to a good priest in the crowd, “take this for thy poor; for, if gotten from an ill source, the more cause is there to apply it to good.”
Just then Sir Hugo said quietly, “Enough, brother; it is now my turn. If this other gallant, who is so keen to instruct us poor ignorant country-folk, will graciously teach me to wrestle a fall, I am ready.”
The general laugh that greeted this well-merited sarcasm swept away what little patience Gilbert had. His comrade’s defeat had somewhat startled him; but, at sight of the challenger’s slender frame, his native insolence revived.
“Loth were I,” he sneered, “to soil your worship’s gay clothes with dust.”