_ have a bout at that, why, you must."

"Providence," answered Kenelm, solemnly, "sent me to this village
for the express purpose of licking Tom Bowles. It is a signal mercy
vouchsafed to yourself, as you will one day acknowledge."

Again a thrill of awe, something like that which the demagogue in
Aristophanes might have felt when braved by the sausage-maker, shot
through the valiant heart of Tom Bowles. He did not like those ominous
words, and still less the lugubrious tone of voice in which they
were uttered, But resolved, at least, to proceed to battle with
more preparation than he had at first designed, he now deliberately
disencumbered himself of his heavy fustian jacket and vest, rolled up
his shirt-sleeves, and then slowly advanced towards the foe.

Kenelm had also, with still greater deliberation, taken off his
coat--which he folded up with care, as being both a new and an only one,
and deposited by the hedge-side--and bared arms, lean indeed and almost
slight, as compared with the vast muscle of his adversary, but firm in
sinew as the hind leg of a stag.

By this time the labourers, led by Jessie, had arrived at the spot, and
were about to crowd in between the combatants, when Kenelm waved them
back and said in a calm and impressive voice,--

"Stand round, my good friends, make a ring, and see that it is fair play
on my side. I am sure it will be fair on Mr. Bowles's. He is big enough
to scorn what is little. And now, Mr. Bowles, just a word with you in
the presence of your neighbours. I am not going to say anything uncivil.
If you are rather rough and hasty, a man is not always master of
himself--at least so I am told--when he thinks more than he ought to
do about a pretty girl. But I can't look at your face even by this
moonlight, and though its expression at this moment is rather cross,
without being sure that you are a fine fellow at bottom, and that if you
give a promise as man to man you will keep it. Is that so?"

One or two of the bystanders murmured assent; the others pressed round
in silent wonder.

"What's all that soft-sawder about?" said Tom Bowles, somewhat
falteringly.

"Simply this: if in the fight between us I beat you, I ask you to
promise before your neighbours that you will not by word or deed molest
or interfere again with Miss Jessie Wiles."

"Eh!" roared Tom. "Is it that you are after her?"

"Suppose I am, if that pleases you; and on my side, I promise that if
you beat me, I q