“He sent me here to look for one,” said Jack, “and I am not to go away without seeing one given.”
“Take care, lad,” said Skogan, raising his stick. Jack, seizing a cudgel from a bystander, knocked it out of his hand; and, following the movement up with a smart tingling blow across the bully’s face, threw off his doublet nimbly and claimed a ring.
Skogan declined the combat on the score of his adversary’s youth.
“Here’s a fellow!” said Jack. “I heard him, drunk, last night challenge a score men—knowing well not one of them knew the use of a cudgel: now, sober, he fears to meet a boy who does.”
“You must needs give him a lesson, Skogan,” suggested a bystander, who was rather tired of waiting for the princes and wanted some amusement; “or farewell to your repute.”
“Then just one bout to silence him,” said Skogan, stripping.
