e."

"Oh, I'll say that," replied Ralph, "because I know it."

"That's right, then," said Mark; "and we can finish having it out
another time."

"Of course. I say, though, your leg's bleeding a good deal."

"Oh, never mind that. So's your arm."

"Can't be deep," said Ralph, "because it only smarts a bit. I say, look
there! That's Captain Purlrose upon the stone, and he's making signals
again."

The wide ring of men saw the signs made by the burly figure above, and
they all wrapped their cloaks round their left arms, and then drew their
swords.

"Then they do mean to fight," cried Mark excitedly.

"Yes, but they don't come on. I say: you're not going to let them take
you prisoner, are you?"

"I'm not going to run away," said Mark sturdily.

"But they are six to one," said Ralph.

"Yes, if you stand still and look on. If you won't let them take you,
they'll only be three to one."

"I'm going to make a dash for it," said Ralph, setting his teeth hard,
for his wound smarted a good deal, and there was a peculiar warm feeling
as of something trickling down his sleeve.

"What, run away?"

"Who said I was going to run away?" cried Ralph. "Look here: in war two
kings who hate one another often join together against an enemy."

"Of course," said Mark.

"I hate you and all your family, but we don't want any one else to set
up here, near our homes, do we?"

"No," said Mark sharply.

"Then I'll stand by you like a trump," cried Ralph; "if you'll stand by
me now. It's long odds, but we've got right on our side."

"Shake hands on it then," cried Mark--"No, we can't do that, because
it's like making friends, when we're enemies and hate one another."

"No, we can't shake hands," said Ralph warmly, "but we can make our
swords kiss hilts, and that's joining together for the fight."

"Agreed," cried Mark; and the lace steel shells of their rapiers clinked
together, making the men, who were watching them intently, exchange
glances. "I say," said Mark hastily, "wasn't that a mistake?"

"What?"

"Joining like that. It's making our swords friends."

"Only till this skirmish is over," said Ralph.

"Oh yes; of course. We can make the blades kiss then. Here, what's
that Captain what-you-may-call-him doing, waving his arms like that?"

"Means for them to come on and attack. He's savage because they don't,"
said Ralph.

"Yes, that's it. I believe they're afraid of getting more holes in
their jerkins