Part 5 (1/2)
”There is trouble before us Come, Robin,” said Montfichet, as he stepped out, with the lad close at his heels
”What is the tu?” cried out the Squire, authoritatively, and he bleice on a silver whistle which hung at his belt
The strollers rushed at once toward the old ained his side They were out of breath, and their story was a confused one
The little tumbler recovered first After the Squire had left theham lad had returned with full a score of riotous apprentices, all arels They had demanded a fresh trial of skill for the Squire's purse of pennies
”Which was denied us in ,” cried out one from the crohich had co about the front of the wizard's tent
”Nay, we refused their request most politely, most noble,” said the little stroller ”And then they became vexed, and would have snatched your purse from us So my brother did stow the pennies quickly into his wallet, and, givingit full inhis way to the front, ”you little viper, so I snatched at hi he deserved, when----”
”I could not seehis duty as one of cumberland's sons So I did push this fellow”
”It is enough,” said George Gamewell, sharply, and he turned upon the crowd ”Shame on you, citizens,” cried he; ”I blush for ame: to force your rivals to lose to you any way? cumberland has won my purse: the test was fairly set, and fairly e conquered Surely we can subrace”
”'Tis fine for you to talk, old man,” answered the lean, sullen apprentice ”But _I_ wrestled with this fellow and do know that he played unfairly in the second bout Else had I not gone down at the clutch, as all did see”
”Insolent!” spoke the Squire, losing all patience; ”and it was to _you_ that I gave another purse in consolation! Go your ways ere I cause you to beheavy enough punishment, for sure Come to me, men, here, here!” He raised his voice still louder ”A Montfichet! A Montfichet!” he called; and the Ga, now lustily threw themselves upon the back of the mob
Instantly all was uproar and confusion, worse than when they first had been startled froha friend and foe alike The burgesses and citizens were not slow to return these blows, and a fierce battle was commenced
The strollers took their part in it with hearty zest now that they had so off their foes Robin and the little tumbler between them tried to force the Squire to stand back, and very valiantly did these two comport theham apprentice, with clenched fists, threatened Montfichet Robin and the little stroller sprang upon the wretch and bore hiround The three rolled over and over each other, punching and puot fairly upon the back of their ene desperately to him; whilst the stroller essayed to tie the arters
The riot increased, for all were fighting now in two great parties; townsfolk against apprentices The din and shouting were appalling
Robin and the little tumbler between them rolled their captive into the wizard's tent
The Squire helped to thrust them all in and entered swiftly hi that thus they an; but the captured apprentice set up an instant shout
”Silence, you knave!” cried Montfichet ”Stifle him, Robin, if need be; take his cloth” He felt for and found the wizard's black cloth
The Squire was quite out of breath ”Where is our wizard friend?” he went on, peering about in the seentle conjurer, ish your aid”
But Master Will had beaten a prudent retreat through the back of the tent The canvas was ripped open, letting in a streak of light They left their prisoner upon the ground, and cautiously drew near the rift
The noise without showed no abate was nearer to the tent, and the bodies of the co canvas
”They will pull down the place about our heads,” muttered the Squire
”Hurry, friends”
Just then Robin stumbled over the skeleton of the ape, and an idea seized suddenly on his brain, and, picking hihtly, and turned back with it Thrusting open the proper entrance of the tent, Robin suddenly rushed forth with his burden, with a great shout
”A Montfichet! A Montfichet! Gamewell to the rescue!”