got here?" said he; "raw head and bloody bones?" When his friend,
slipping on his clothes, gave him to understand that this was a friend of
Sir Launcelot Greaves, and explained the purport of his errand, he
treated him with more civility. He assured him that he should have the
pleasure to break a spear with Mr. Dawdle; and signified his surprise
that Sir Launcelot had made no answer to his letter. It being by this
time clear daylight, and Crowe extremely interested in this affair, he
broke without ceremony into the knight's chamber, and told him abruptly
that the enemy had brought to, and waited for his coming up, in order to
begin the action. "I've hailed his consort," said he, "a shambling,
chattering fellow. He took me first for a hobgoblin, then called me
names, a tiger, a wrynoseo'ross, and a Persian bear; but egad, if I come
athwart him, I'll make him look like the bear and ragged staff before we
part,--I wool."

This intimation was not received with that alacrity which the captain
expected to find in our adventurer, who told him in a peremptory tone,
that he had no design to come to action, and desired to be left to his
repose. Crowe forthwith retired crestfallen, and muttered something,
which was never distinctly heard.

About eight in the morning Mr. Dawdle brought him a formal message from
the knight of the Griffin, desiring he would appoint the lists, and give
security of the field. To which request he made answer in a very
composed and solemn accent, "If the person who sent you thinks I have
injured him, let him without disguise or any such ridiculous ceremony,
explain the nature of the wrong; and then I shall give such satisfaction
as may suit my conscience and my character. If he hath bestowed his
affection upon any particular object, and looks upon me as a favourite
rival, I shall not wrong the lady so much as to take any step that may
prejudice her choice, especially a step that contradicts my own reason as
much as it would outrage the laws of my country. If he who calls himself
knight of the Griffin is really desirous of treading in the paths of true
chivalry, he will not want opportunities of signalising his valour in the
cause of virtue.--Should he, notwithstanding this declaration, offer
violence to me in the course of my occasions, he will always find me in a
posture of defence. Or, should he persist in repeating his
importunities, I shall without ceremony chastise the messenger." His
d