Sir Ludar | Page 6

and before his first onset was done, his sword flew over his
head in two pieces. It was an old trick, and cost nothing to a 'prentice
outside Temple Bar. And while he looked round, bewildered, after his
weapon, I took him by the nape of his neck and the cloth of his
breeches, and walked with him to the pond hard by, where I left him,
and so was well rid of him.
By this time the Fields were in an uproar. So intent had all been on the
leaping, to see if Will Peake would equal my jump (which, Heaven
help him! he could not do), that the gallant was swinging over the pond
before anyone understood what was afoot. Then they broke up the ring
and closed in on us, so that I, having dropped my burden amidst the
duck-weed, was fain to lose myself among the crowd and give one and
all the slip.
I thought I had done so, for while all stood gaping and jeering as they
fished out the sputtering hero from his pea-green bath, I sauntered back
unheeded to the place where last I had seen her for whose sake all the
pother arose. At first I feared she had fled, but on looking I spied her in
company with an elderly woman, who soothed and chid her in turn, and
began to hurry her from the place.
But when she saw me, she brushed the old servant aside, and with a
blush beckoned me to her. Shall I ever forget the vision of her, as she
stood there, stately and beautiful, with hand outstretched, smiling on
me with mingled pity for my shyness and gratitude for my service?
"My brave friend," said she, and her voice fell like music on my ears, "I
have nothing but my poor thanks to give thee, but they are thine."
The crimson now came to my cheeks, for it hurt me to hear her talk of
payment.
"I would gladly do it all again," said I.
"Nay," she laughed, "once is enough surely, at least for me."

Then I wished the ground might swallow me, for I deemed she thought
me a fool.
"She would come," put in the old servant in an accent which, though I
had never heard it before, I took to be Scotch or Irish; "I told her myself
what to expect among a crowd of rude, rascally City sparks, that don't
know a lady when they see her, and when they do, don't know how to
behave themselves. It serves her right, say I, and it's myself will see she
frolics no more, I warrant you--a low, unmannerly pack of curs, with a
plague on all of you."
"Never heed my old nurse," said the young lady, sweetly; "she and I
were parted in the crowd, and but for you, brave lad, I might have rued
my folly in coming hither more than I do. Thanks once more, and
farewell. Come, Judy--thank good Master Dexter for taking better care
of me than ever you did, and then come away."
I stood like a mule gaping after them as they went, unable to stir or say
a word till they were lost to view. Then as I turned came a shout at my
ears: "There he stands!--there stands the villain! Seize him and hold
him fast. He shall learn what it is to assault a captain of the Queen's
guard."
Ho! ho! There were a round dozen of them, and one on horseback. But
I knew of two dozen better than they within call.
So I shouted, "Clubs, clubs, to the rescue!" and began to lay about me.
CHAPTER TWO.
HOW I SERVED A DISORDERLY PRINTER.
My assailants were a mixed crew, some being lackeys of the
half-drowned gallant, some constables of the watch, others idle
swashbucklers ready to lend a hand to any cause and against any man
for a pot of ale. But they took no advantage from hiring themselves
against a poor 'prentice from without Temple Bar, for they got sore
heads for their pains.

I myself could not do over much till my comrades arrived, for I was in
an open place and could not see all sides of me at once. So, after three
of them had gone down, I was well-nigh being mastered by the rest, but
for the timely help of my honest club-fellows.
Foremost among these who should come but honest Will Peake, my
late enemy, who, when it was a matter between 'prentices and Court
bullies, forgot all old sores, and laid about him like a man. Behind him
came a score or two of honest lads, some of my ward, some of others;
and between us all you may judge if the numskulls