"
"And so we will, my jovial Gascon," replied Dick. "Come, Sir Giles! are
we to have the young gentleman from you by force or free-will?"
"You shall have him in neither way, sirrah," the knight rejoined. "You,
yourself, shall bear him company in the Fleet. Upon them, my men, and
make for the door!"
And as the command was given, he and his troop made a sudden dash upon
the 'prentices, who, unable to stand against the bills levelled against
their breasts, gave way. Still, the gallant youths were by no means
routed. Instantly closing upon their opponents, and being quite as
nimble of foot as they, they contrived to cut off their retreat from the
garden; and a sharp conflict took place between the parties, as they
came to close quarters near the entrance. Three of the myrmidons were
felled by Dick Taverner's cudgel; and at last, watching his opportunity,
with both hands he launched a bowl which he had picked up at Sir Giles's
head. If the missile had taken effect, the fight would have been over;
but the knight avoided the blow by stooping down, and the bowl, passing
over him, hit Lupo Vulp full in the stomach, and brought him to the
ground deprived of breath. Meanwhile, Sir Giles, springing quickly
forward, pinned the apprentice against the wall with his rapier's point.
"I have thee at last, knave," he cried, seizing Dick by the collar, and
delivering him to the custody of the myrmidons nearest him--"I told thee
thou should'st visit the Fleet.
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