pon that table. A flour-bag shall be given to each; and he who is first
knocked off shall be held vanquished."

The king's judgment was received with as much applause as dared be
exhibited by the hearers; and in an instant the board was cleared, and a
couple of flour-bags partly filled delivered to the combatants by Simon
Quanden, who bestirred himself with unwonted activity on the occasion.

Leaping upon the table, amid the smothered mirth of the assemblage,
the two jesters placed themselves opposite each other, and grinned such
comical defiance that the king roared with laughter. After a variety of
odd movements and feints on either side, Patch tried to bring down his
adversary by a tremendous two-handed blow; but in dealing it, the weight
of the hag dragged him forward, and well-nigh pitched him head foremost
upon the floor. As it was, he fell on his face upon the table, and in
this position received several heavy blows upon the prominent part of
his back from Will Sommers. Ere long, however, he managed to regain his
legs, and, smarting with pain, attacked his opponent furiously in
his turn. For a short space fortune seemed to favour him. His bag
had slightly burst, and the flour, showering from it with every blow,
well-nigh blinded his adversary, whom he drove to the very edge of the
table. At this critical juncture Will managed to bring down his bag full
upon his opponent's sconce, and the force of the blow bursting it, Patch
was covered from crown to foot with flour, and blinded in his turn. The
appearance of the combatants was now so exquisitely ridiculous, that the
king leaned back in his chair to indulge his laughter, and the mirth of
the spectators could no longer be kept within decorous limits. The very
turnspits barked in laughing concert.

"Well fought on both sides!" cried Henry; "it were hard to say which
will prove the victor. Now, knaves, to it again--ha! ha!--to it again!"

Once more the bags were wielded, descended, and the blows were so well
directed on either side, that both combatants fell backwards. Again the
king's laughter rose loud and long. Again the merriment of the other
beholders was redoubled. Again Hob and Nob barked joyously, and tried
to spring on to the table to take part in the conflict. Amid the general
glee, the combatants rose and renewed the fight, dealing blows thick
and fast--for the bags were now considerably lightened of their
contents--until they were completely hidden from