Page:Famous and memorable history of the battle on Chevy-Chace.pdf/11

 11 glas appeared on the top of the hill, mounted on a milk white fteed, and his men ranged in order behind him. Earl Piercy taking a ftaff in his hand and a fword by his fide, caufed his men to move forward and to meet Earl Douglas, who being come within forty paces, demanded whofe men they were that durft prefume to hunt in his foreft. and to kill his deer ; whoever they were they muft expect to be feverely punifhed ; and com- manded them to yield if they expected mercy—The Englifh Earl replied It matters not whofe men we are; but what we have done we will jufi- tify, and what deer we have killed I we will carry away, or die upon the fpot. This fpoken with fuch courage made Douglas bolder likewife ; faid he, I know thee Piercy, thou art an Earl as well as I; therefore, if thou art as brave as fame reports thee, let thou and I decide it. This offer pleafed Piercy, who drawing his fword, bade defiance to