Page:Adventures of Roderick Random.pdf/88

 all over the world. To which I replied in the same strain.

The Frenchman, provoked at the little deference I to the king lost all patience and reproached me in such a manner, that my temper forsook me, and I clinched my fist, with an intention to give him a hearty box on the ear; but he perceiving my design started back, demanding a parley; adding, that if I was not weary of my life, I would do well to spare him that mortification, and do him the honour of measuring his sword with mine, like a gentleman. I followed my antagonist into a field, who was a poor, little, shrivling creature, decript with age, and blind of one eye. But I soon found the folly of judging from appearances, being at the second pass wounded in the sword hand, and immediately disarmed with a jerk.—I was no less confounded than enraged at this event; for he insisted upon my asking pardon, for my presumption in affronting his king and him. This I would by no means comply with, but told him I would in my turn claim satisfaction with my musket, which weapon we should be  upon a par than with the sword. To this he made no reply, but repaired to the dancers, among whom he re-