"I've learned one thing in this d - d
land," he snarled, "and that is where not to choose a second. You,
sir," to Rolfe, "give the word."
Master Pory rose from his knees, unruffled and unabashed, and
still with a curiously absent expression upon his fat face and with
his ears cocked in the direction of the church. "One moment,
gentlemen," he said. "I have just bethought me" -
"On guard!" cried Rolfe, and cut him short.
The King's favorite was no mean antagonist. Once or twice the
thought crossed my mind that here, where I least desired it, I had
met my match. The apprehension passed. He fought as he lived,
with a fierce intensity, a headlong passion, a brute force, bearing
down and overwhelming most obstacles. But that I could tire him
out I soon knew.
The incessant flash and clash of steel, the quick changes in
position, the need to bring all powers of body and mind to aid of
eye and wrist, the will to win, the shame of loss, the rage and lust
of blood, - there was no sight or sound outside that trampled circle
that could force itself upon our brain or make us glance aside. If
there was a sudden commotion amongst the three witnesses, if an
expression of immense relief and childlike satisfaction reigned in
Master Pory's face, we knew it not. We were both bleeding, - I
from a pin prick on the shoulder, he from a touch beneath the arm.
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