and surprise them unawares. But Saladyne
took a contrary course, and went to the sheriff of the shire and made
complaint of Rosader, who giving credit to Saladyne, in a determined
resolution to revenge the gentleman's wrongs, took with him
five-and-twenty tall[3] men, and made a vow, either to break into the
house and take Rosader, or else to coop him in till he made him yield
by famine. In this determination, gathering a crew together, he went
forward to set Saladyne in his former estate. News of this was brought
unto Rosader, who smiling at the cowardice of his brother, brooked all
the injuries of fortune with patience, expecting the coming of the
sheriff. As he walked upon the battlements of the house, he descried
where Saladyne and he drew near, with a troop of lusty gallants. At
this he smiled, and called Adam Spencer, and showed him the envious
treachery of his brother, and the folly of the sheriff to be so
credulous.

[Footnote 1: until.]

[Footnote 2: barricaded.]

[Footnote 3: brave.]

"Now, Adam," quoth he, "what shall I do? It rests for me either to
yield up the house to my brother and seek a reconcilement, or else
issue out, and break through the company with courage, for cooped in
like a coward I will not be. If I submit (ah Adam) I dishonor myself,
and that is worse than death, for by such open disgraces, the fame of
men grows odious. If I issue out amongst them, fortune may favor me,
and I may escape with life. But suppose the worst; if I be slain, then
my death shall be honorable to me, and so inequal a revenge infamous
to Saladyne."

"Why then, master, forward and fear not! Out amongst them; they be but
faint-hearted losels,[1] and for Adam Spencer, if he die not at your
foot, say he is a dastard."

[Footnote 1: lazy, worthless fellows.]

These words cheered up so the heart of young Rosader, that he thought
himself sufficient for them all, and therefore prepared weapons for
him and Adam Spencer, and were ready to entertain the sheriff; for no
sooner came Saladyne and he to the gates, but Rosader, unlooked for,
leaped out and assailed them, wounded many of them, and caused the
rest to give back, so that Adam and he broke through the prease[1] in
despite of them all, and took their way towards the forest of Arden.
This repulse so set the sheriff's heart on fire to revenge, that he
straight raised all the country, and made hue and cry after them. But
Rosader and Adam, knowing full well the secre