there exercised under the direction of Sir James Lee and two assistants.
The whole company was divided into two, sometimes into three parties,
each of which took its turn at the exercise, delivering at the word
of command the various strokes, feints, attacks, and retreats as the
instructors ordered.

After five minutes of this mock battle the perspiration began to pour
down the faces, and the breath to come thick and short; but it was not
until the lads could absolutely endure no more that the order was given
to rest, and they were allowed to fling themselves panting upon the
ground, while another company took its place at the triple row of posts.

As Myles struck and hacked at the pel assigned to him, Sir James Lee
stood beside him watching him in grim silence. The lad did his best to
show the knight all that he knew of upper cut, under cut, thrust, and
back-hand stroke, but it did not seem to him that Sir James was very
well satisfied with his skill.

"Thou fightest like a clodpole," said the old man. "Ha, that stroke
was but ill-recovered. Strike me it again, and get thou in guard more
quickly."

Myles repeated the stroke.

"Pest!" cried Sir James. "Thou art too slow by a week. Here, strike thou
the blow at me."

Myles hesitated. Sir James held a stout staff in his hand, but otherwise
he was unarmed.