Page:Life of Sir William Petty 1623 – 1687.djvu/177

 when not engaged in soldiering elsewhere, sent Sir William a challenge to fight. Sir William, however, notwithstanding his recent knighthood, was not more desirous of distinction in martial exercises than in the days when Sir Hierome's friends had pressed on him the command of a troop of horse. Being the person challenged, it lay with him to nominate place and weapon. As he was very short-sighted, he claimed, in order that his adversary should have no unfair advantage over him, that the place should be a dark cellar, and the weapon a great carpenter's axe. This turned the challenge into ridicule, and Sir Alan declined so unexpected a form of contest.