s," exclaimed he who had first spoken,
"whether we come from the clouds? Out of the way, or take the
consequences," and he flashed forth his sword.

"You are hardly courteous," replied Aymer, "and therefore scarce angels
in disguise, even though you prate of the clouds. So if you wish to
measure blades I shall not balk you. Nathless," as he slowly freed his
own weapon, "it is a quarrel not of my making."

"Will you let us pass then?" said the stranger.

"I never said I would not; I but asked your destination."

"And I refused to answer--stand aside."

"Nay, nay! do not get excited," said De Lacy calmly. "Consider a
moment; you ask all and grant nothing. I wish to know whither you
ride--you wish to ride. It is only a fair exchange."

"It is very evident that you are seeking a quarrel," the other
exclaimed; "and by the Holy Saints! you have found it. I shall ride
on, and if it be over your carcass, on your head be it."

"I have seen a few dead bodies in my time, fair sir," replied Sir Aymer
with a laugh, "but never one that stood upon its head. It is a pity
then I may not see my own."

The stranger made no reply, but settling himself well in saddle charged
in. De Lacy, without changing position further than to drop the reins
over the saddle bow, so as to leave both hands free to wield his sword,
awaited the rush. Saving a thin corselet of steel beneath his doublet,
he wore no armor; and as his antagonist was, outwardly at least,
entirely unprotected, a single stroke of the heavy weapons would likely
decide the matter.

For a space, De Lacy contented himself with parrying the blows aimed at
him and with blocking the other's advance. Repeatedly he could have
ended the fight, but always he forebore. The man was no possible match
for him, and with soldierly generosity he hesitated either to kill or
to wound grievously one who showed so much pluck and grit even when the
struggle was plainly lost. He was waiting the opportunity to disarm
him.

"Will you not yield?" he asked at last, as again he brushed aside the
other's weapon.

The only answer was a swinging blow that just missed his forehead.

De Lacy frowned, and his patience began to ebb. For the first time he
assumed the offensive. Pressing Selim close, he feinted quickly twice,
and catching the other off guard he brought his sword down on the
stranger's with a crash. There was a flash of sparks, a sharp ring of
metal on stones, and of the we