e way
to teach French monkeys! Now, my mincing young skipjack, God save King
Harry!--Malediction!" he roared, as he snatched up his sword, for with a
quick motion the boy had emptied the wine-cup full in his face.

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE.

TRAPPED.

At the English captain's action his two companions sprang from their
chairs and drew their weapons, for Denis had stepped back with his own
blade leaping from its scabbard--a movement followed at once by his
three companions, who stood on their defence.

"Now, boys," raged out Sir Robert. "Hah! The window is open. Ready?"

"Yes," came fiercely.

"No deep wounds; but prick and make them dance till they reach the
window and leap out. I'll tackle this boy."

The next moment there was the harsh, grating, rasping, hissing sound of
steel edge against steel.

"Back, boy!" raged out Francis. "Let me punish this English
_canaille_."

"No, sir," whispered Leoni sharply. "They are three. Let your servants
finish this."

"Here's for you!" shouted one of Sir Robert's companions, and they made
for the King and his two followers; but they were hindered from crossing
swords by Sir Robert, who, stepping back to avoid a sharp thrust
delivered by Denis, felt his foot slip upon the wine-moistened polished
oaken boards, and in saving himself he came in contact with the table,
driving it heavily in his comrades' way, so that the two parties were
separated, the centre of the room being taken up by Denis and his
adversary.

"The unlucky boy!" muttered the King angrily. "Leoni, he is no match
for that English bull."

"No, sir," said the doctor coolly, as he stood watchful with his blade
advanced; "but he can fence a little. Give me place, and I'll see that
he does not come to harm."

Seeing that their adversaries were disposed to hold their hands until
the couple engaged had finished their encounter, Sir Robert's two
companions stood waiting for their turn till the unequal match was
finished; for unequal it was, Denis being pressed hard in the fierce
onslaught made by the strong-armed bully, who kept on thrusting and
driving the boy sideways as, lithe and agile, he avoided or parried
every thrust. At last his fate seemed sealed, for his arm was growing
weak and his defence being beaten down, when with a quick movement and
just in the nick of time Leoni made a sudden dart forward and turned
aside a very awkward thrust.

"Ah! Coward!" roared the English officer. "Two t