nd was
therefore taken too much by surprise to offer the slightest
resistance when Evander, suddenly springing from between his guards,
snatched from his supine arms the captured sword that had been
intrusted to his keeping. Before he or any other of the astonished
spectators could take any action Evander had leaped lightly into the
alcove of the window, and, dragging by main force the heavy table in
front of him, so as to blockade his corner, showed himself snugly
intrenched behind a rampart which his single sword might well hope to
hold at least for some time against the swords of half a dozen
assailants.

"You will find me a spoil sport," he cried, cheerily, as he stood on
guard behind the massive bulk of oak. "Dogs, here is a hart at bay;
beware his antlers."

"Bravely done, rebel," Brilliana cried, aloud, as if in spite of
herself, as she beheld the reckless deed, and "Bravely done, rebel,"
Halfman echoed, in his reluctant turn, as he heard his lady's words
and saw the light of praise on his lady's face. Though he hated the
Puritan as cordially as if he had been a King's man all his days, he
could not deny his courage, and his scene of effective action made
him wish himself in Evander's place, taking the stage so skilfully
and dominating the situation. But above all this, if Brilliana
applauded the rebel's act, then the rebel's life was of some value,
and until he received his lady's orders the rebel's life should be
sacred to Halfman. So he struck up with his sword the pikes that
Garlinge and Clupp levelled, clumsily enough, and were preparing to
thrust at Evander over the interposing barrier. At the same moment
Rufus, for a very different reason, restrained the action of his
comrade Cavaliers, who were making ready for a combined rush, sword
in hand, upon their enemy. Rufus saw instantly how well intrenched
their enemy lay; it would be hard for any sword to reach him across
that width of oak, and even push of pike, when delivered by such
loutish fingers as now governed those weapons, might easily be
parried by a swordsman so skilful as he guessed Evander to be. But
there was no generosity towards a brave adversary in Rufus's action.
In his hot ferocity he merely wished to make sure of his quarry as
quickly as possible.

"You shall be no hart-royal," he answered, fiercely, taking up the
hunter's challenge. "You shall not escape. We shall sound the mort of
the deer in a moment. Give me your gun, fellow."

Th