'It may be that you would like to try, sirrah,' said I, slipping my hip off the table and buckling on my sword with one movement.
'Very willingly,' said he of the sneer. 'Come out to the green.'
But before I could move to end the matter, there arose from the corner, where he had been lying on an oaken settle, a tall, slender lad of foreign aspect and distinction. He had on him a green suit like the Royal hunting liveries. A long, plain sword in a black leather scabbard swung by his side.
'Launcelot Kennedy of Kirrieoch,' he said, bowing to me, 'I am Robert Harburgh, and though for the time being I serve here as little better than a cullion, I am yet of some blood and kindred. Therefore I shall do you no shame. And you, sir,' said he, turning to John Dick, who stood lowering, 'being your equal here, I can serve your turn to cross swords with—and spare this gentleman the discomfort of defiling his sword of honour with such black ignoble blood as yours.'
And with that he whipped out a long, straight sword which glittered in the firelight. John Dick turned up his lip wickedly, so that we saw his teeth, and the black, curly fringe of hair about his face stood out, till his visage was like that of an angry ramping bull of Galloway.
There were only men in the kitchen when the fracas arose, for Mistress Tode had gone to do some errand for the Countess.
'You are surely a stark man,' said John Dick, 'to mell or meddle with me. Ken ye that I have wounded more men with my whinger than I have fingers on my right hand?'
'And how many may that be?' said the young man who had espoused my cause.
'Why, four,' said John Dick, surprised at the question.
'Then in a little while you shall have one less—and that is but three. Guard yourself!'