So then one of the knaves hurried away and received permission.
"Then furnish me a club," said the stranger.
"Here then is mine," offered the third knave.
Yet, forsooth, the club was but a sorry one and so the unknown would not use it.
"Then show you a coward's heart," replied he who would strive with him. And then the three rushed upon the stranger and would do him hurt.
So now came bearing down on the three none other than Allan who had overheard the parley.
"For shame, knaves. No true men would treat stranger so. He asks nothing more than is fair. Give him a club of his choosing."
"Of a faith, young master, this quarrel is none of yours, and warrants no interference. Leave this fellow to us, and we shall give him clubbing of his choosing." And the man who addressed the boy, though he looked not straight at him, growled surlily.
"I shall give you a thrashing, fool, unless you do my bidding," replied the boy, hotly.
But the three surly brutes moved uneasily. And then came Sir Percival forward.