I have recommended my case to the saints, and chiefly to St. Andrew, for
whose cause and honour I was about to put my life in jeopardy. But
shame, and the fear of seeming fearful, drove me to jest with the
others--such risks of dying unconfessed are run by sinful men!

Howbeit, they helped me to choose cloth of the best colour and fashion,
laughing the more because I, being short of stature and slim, the tailor,
if I fell, might well find none among the archers to purchase that for
which, belike, I should have no need.

"We must even enlist the Pucelle in our guard, for she might wear this
apparel," quoth Randal.

Thus boisterously they bore themselves, but more gravely at the
swordsmith's, where we picked out a good cut-and-thrust blade, well
balanced, that came readily to my hand. Then, I with sword at side, like
a gentleman, we made to the river, passing my master's booth, where I
looked wistfully at the windows for a blink of Elliot, but saw none that
I knew, only, from an open casement, the little jackanapes mopped and
mowed at me in friendly fashion. Hard by the booth was a little pier,
and we took boat, and so landed on the island, where were waiting for us
my adversary and two other gentlemen. Having saluted each other, we
passed to a smooth grassy spot, surrounded on all sides by tall poplar
trees. Here in places daffodils were dancing in the wind; but otherwhere
the sward was much trampled down, and in two or three spots were black
patches that wellnigh turned my courage, for I was not yet used to the
sight of men's blood, here often shed for little cause.

The friends of us twain adversaries, for enemies we could scarce be
called, chose out a smooth spot with a fair light, the sun being veiled,