``Ay，butIpromiseyou，’’saidDeBracy，``thatneitherTristramnorLancelotwouldhavebeenmatch，handtohand，forRichardPlantagenet，andIthinkitwasnottheirwonttotakeoddsagainstasingleman。’’
``Thouartmad，DeBracy——whatisitweproposetothee，ahiredandretainedcaptainofFreeCompanions，whoseswordsarepurchasedforPrinceJohn’sservice?Thouartapprizedofourenemy，andthenthouscruplest，thoughthypatron’sfortunes，thoseofthycomrades，thineown，andthelifeandhonourofeveryoneamongstus，beatstake！’’
``Itellyou，’’saidDeBracy，sullenly，``thathegavememylife。True，hesentmefromhispresence，andrefusedmyhomage——sofarIowehimneitherfavournorallegiance——butIwillnotlifthandagainsthim。’’
``Itneedsnot——sendLouisWinkelbrandandascoreofthylances。’’
``Yehavesufficientruffiansofyourown，’’saidDeBracy；``notoneofmineshallbudgeonsuchanerrand。’’