, beside my guard, and through my guard. Nor
could I even do myself justice. For while I fenced, I was fascinated by
the flashing of his eyes and the noble gracefulness of his every motion.
In two minutes he had me disarmed, pinned up against the wall, as
helpless as a silly ox in the grip of a tiger.

It mortified me as much as anything to find that when he had me thus at
his mercy he dropped me half disdainfully, half pitifully, and put his
dirk back into its sheath.

"Will you go now?"

"No," said I, doggedly. For so chapfallen was I that I wished nothing
better than that he should do his worst with me.

At that he looked at me in solemn perplexity, and I expected to see his
hand back at his girdle. But, to my confusion, he only shrugged his
shoulders and turned away.

This completed my humbling; for no man had ever disdained me thus
before. I might easily have reached my sword, which lay at my feet, and
run him through before he could face round; yet he did not even deign to
notice me, and walked slowly to the fire, where he sat with his back to
me.

I could stand it no longer, and crossed the room to face him.

"You have beaten me," said I--and the words were hard to say--"take my
sword, for, by heaven, I will never wear it again, and fare you well."

The cloud on his face broke into sunlight as he sprang to his feet, and,
taking my arm, said--

"No. Stay here and let us be friends. I am too poor to offer thee
supper, but here's my hand."

I took his hand like one in a dream. I could not help it, strange as it
seemed.

"Sir," said I, "whoever you be, I strike hands on one condition only,
that is, that you sup to-night with me. I'm a London 'prentice, but I
know when I meet my match."

What that had to do with his supping with me, I know not; but I was so
flurried with my late defeat and my enemy's sudden friendliness, that I
scarcely knew what I said.

"If that be the price, I must even pay it," said he, solemnly, "so long
as we be friends."

So I called to the man of the house to bring us food quickly, and, while
it was coming, set myself to know more of my new comrade.

Yet when I came to question him I felt abashed. For he looked so grave
and noble that, despite his ragged clothes, it seemed presumptuous to
ask him who he was. While I doubted how to begin, he spared me the
trouble.

"Are you going to Oxford?" said he.

"I am," said I. "I was to reach there this night, but lost