s of
our great covenanted reformers being on his side, there is not a doubt
that I was wrong. He lost all patience on hearing what I advanced on
this matter, and, taking hold of me, he led me into a darksome booth in
a confined entry; and, after a friendly but cutting reproach, he bade
me remain there in secret and watch the event. "And, if I fall," said
he, "you will not fail to avenge my death?"

I was so entirely overcome with vexation that I could make no answer,
on which he left me abruptly, a prey to despair; and I saw or heard no
more till he came down to the moonlight green followed by my brother.
They had quarrelled before they came within my hearing, for the first
words I heard were those of my brother, who was in a state of
intoxication, and he was urging a reconciliation, as was his wont on
such occasions. My friend spurned at the suggestion, and dared him to
the combat; and after a good deal of boastful altercation, which the
turmoil of my spirits prevented me from remembering, my brother was
compelled to draw his sword and stand on the defensive. It was a
desperate and terrible engagement. I at first thought that the royal
stranger and great champion of the faith would overcome his opponent
with ease, for I considered Heaven as on his side, and nothing but the
arm of sinful flesh against him. But I was deceived. The sinner stood
firm as a rock, while the assailant flitted about like a shadow, or
rather like a spirit. I smiled inwardly, conceiving that these
lightsome manoeuvres were all a sham to show off his art and mastership
in the exercise, and that, whenever they came to close fairly, that
instant my brother would be overcome. Still I was deceived. My
brother's arm seemed invincible, so that the closer they fought the
more palpably did it prevail. They fought round the green to the very
edge of the water, and so round till they came close up to the covert
where I stood. There being no more room to shift ground, my brother
then forced him to come to close quarters, on which, the former still
having the decided advantage, my friend quitted his sword and called
out. I could resist no longer; so, springing from my concealment, I
rushed between them with my sword drawn, and parted them as if they had
been two schoolboys: then, turning to my brother, I addressed him as
follows: "Wretch! miscreant! knowest thou what thou art attempting?
Wouldest thou lay thine hand on the Lord's anointed, or shed his
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