ye caught sight of Maikar in time
to avoid the blow of the pole or staff, which was aimed at his head, but
not to escape the dig in the ribs with which the little man followed it
up.

Instantly the scout's right hand flew to his quiver, but before he could
fix an arrow another blow from the staff broke the bow in his left hand.

Blazing with astonishment and wrath at such rough treatment from so
small a man, he stepped back, drew his sword and glared at his opponent.

Maikar also stepped back a pace or two and held up his hand as if for a
truce.

"I too have a sword," he said, pointing to the weapon, "and can use it,
but I have no desire to slay you till I know whether you are friend or
foe."

"Slay me! thou insignificant rat!" cried the scout in savage fury.
"Even if we were friends I would have to pay thee for that dig in the
ribs and the broken bow. But I scorn to take advantage of such a
squirrel. Have at thee with my staff!"

Running at him as he spoke, the scout delivered a blow that would have
acted like the hammer of Thor had it taken effect, but the seaman deftly
dipped his head and the blow fell on a neighbouring birch, and a foot or
so of the staff snapped off. What remained, however, was still a
formidable weapon, but before the scout could use it he received another
dig in the ribs which called forth a yell of indignation rather than of
pain.

The appropriateness of the name squirrel now became apparent, for Maikar
even excelled that agile creature in the rapidity with which he waltzed
round the sturdy scout and delivered his stinging little blows. To do
the scout justice, he played his part like a brave and active warrior,
so that it seemed to rain blows and digs in all directions, and, once or
twice, as by a miracle, Maikar escaped what threatened to be little, if
at all, short of extermination. As in running, so in fighting, it is
the pace that kills. After five minutes or so both combatants were
winded. They separated, as if by mutual consent, and, leaning on their
staves, panted vehemently.

Then at it they went again.

"Thou little scrap of a pig's snout, come on," shouted the scout in huge
disdain.

"Thou big skinful of pride! look out!" cried Maikar, rendering the
adoption of his own advice impossible by thrusting the butt of his staff
against the scout's nose, and thereby filling his eyes with water. At
the next moment he rendered him still more helpless by bestowing a whack
o