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 222 frightened horse. `Who is this swashbuckler who summons his Majesty's lieges from their repose? A very soldado, o' truth. Hark ye, sir, or my lord, or thy grace, or whatsoever title your honour's honour may be pleased to approve, thou must curb thy tongue play, or by the seven witches of Gambleside thou may find thyself in but a sorry plight.'

"`I prythee, then, that thou wilt expound to me who and what ye are,' quoth our hero, `and whether your purpose be such as an honest man may approve of. As to your threats, they turn from my mind as your caitifflyweapons would shiver upon my hauberk from Milan.'

"`Nay, Allen,' interrupted one of the party, addressing him who seemed to be their leader; `this is a lad of mettle, and such a one as our honest Jack longs for. But we lure not hawks with empty hands.  Look ye, sir, there is game afoot which it may need such bold hunters as thyself to follow.  Come with us and take a firkin of canary, and we will find better work for that glaive of thine than getting its owner into broil and bloodshed; for, by my troth!  Milan or no Milan, if my curtel axe do but ring against that morion of thine it will be an ill day for thy father's son.'

"For a moment our hero hesitated as to whether it would best become his knightly traditions to hurl himself against his enemies, or whether it might not be better to obey their requests. Prudence, mingled with a large share of curiosity, eventually carried the day, and dismounting from his horse, he intimated that he was ready to follow his captors.