and mightier than thou?"

"I know not," said Myles; "but were they an hundred, instead of
thirteen, they should not make me serve them."

"Thou art a fool!" said the old knight, smiling faintly, "for that be'st
not courage, but folly. When one setteth about righting a wrong, one
driveth not full head against it, for in so doing one getteth naught but
hard knocks. Nay, go deftly about it, and then, when the time is ripe,
strike the blow. Now our beloved King Henry, when he was the Earl of
Derby, what could he have gained had he stood so against the old King
Richard, brooking the King face to face? I tell thee he would have been
knocked on the head as thou wert like to have been this day. Now were
I thee, and had to fight a fight against odds, I would first get me
friends behind me, and then--" He stopped short, but Myles understood
him well enough.

"Sir," said he, with a gulp, "I do thank thee for thy friendship, and
ask thy pardon for doing as I did anon."

"I grant thee pardon," said the knight, "but tell thee plainly, an thou
dost face me so again, I will truly send thee to the black cell for a
week. Now get thee away."

All the other lads were gone when Myles came forth, save only the
faithful Gascoyne, who sacrificed his bath that day to stay with his
friend; and perhaps that little act of self-denial moved Myles more than
many a great thing might have done.

"It was right kind of thee, Francis," said he, laying his hand