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228 nefit of the moon-light; the thieves in the mean time laughing, and crying to their comrade, "Miller! beware thy toll-dish." The Miller, on the other hand, holding his quarter-staff by the middle, and making it flourish round his head after the fashion which the French call moulinet, exclaimed boastfully, "Come on, churl, an thou darest: thou shalt feel the strength of a miller's thumb!"

"If thou beest a miller," answered Gurth, undauntedly, making his weapon play around his head with equal dexterity, "thou art doubly a thief; and I, as a true man, bid thee defiance."

So saying, the two champions closed together, and for a few minutes they displayed great equality in strength, courage, and skill, intercepting and returning the blows of their adversaries with the most rapid dexterity, while, from the continued clatter of their weapons, a person at a distance might have supposed that there were at least six persons engaged upon each side. Less obstinate, and even less dangerous combatants, have been described in good heroic verse; but that of Gurth and the Miller must remain un-