My arm was again enfeebled, and
that of my adversary prevailed. I was knocked down and mauled
most grievously, and, while the ruffian was kicking and cuffing
me at his will and pleasure, up came old John Barnet, breathless
with running, and, at one blow with his open hand, levelled my
opponent with the earth. "Tak ye that, maister!" said John, "to
learn ye better breeding. Hout awa, man! An ye will fight, fight
fair. Gude sauf us, ir ye a gentleman's brood, that ye will kick an'
cuff a lad when he's down?"
When I heard this kind and unexpected interference, I began once
more to value myself on my courage, and, springing up, I made at
my adversary; but John, without saying a word, bit his lip, and
seizing me by the neck threw me down. M'Gill begged of him to
stand and see fair play, and suffer us to finish the battle; for,
added he. "he is a liar, and a scoundrel, and deserves ten times
more than I can give him."
"I ken he's a' that ye say, an' mair, my man," quoth John. "But am
I sure that ye're no as bad, an' waur? It says nae muckle for ony o'
ye to be tearing like tikes at one anither here."
John cocked his cudgel and stood between us, threatening to
knock the one dead who first offered to lift his hand against the
other; but, perceiving no disposition in any of us to separate, he
drove me home before him like a bullock, and keeping close
guard behind me, lest M'Gill had followed.
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