Geoffrey would give the lad instructions in the use of the arms at which he
had been at work, and so quick and strong was he that he rapidly acquired
their use, and Geoffrey foresaw that he would one day, should his thoughts
turn that way, prove a mighty man-at-arms.

It was the knowledge which he acquired from Geoffrey which had much to do
with Walter's position among his comrades. The skill and strength which he
had acquired in wielding the hammer, and by practice with the sword
rendered him a formidable opponent with the sticks, which formed the
weapons in the mimic battles, and indeed not a few were the complaints
which were brought before Giles Fletcher of bruises and hurts caused by
him.

"You are too turbulent, Walter," the bowyer said one day when a haberdasher
from the ward of Aldersgate came to complain that his son's head had been
badly cut by a blow with a club from Walter Fletcher. "You are always
getting into trouble, and are becoming the terror of other boys. Why do you
not play more quietly? The feuds between the boys of different wards are
becoming a serious nuisance, and many injuries have been inflicted. I hear
that the matter has been mentioned in the Common Council, and that there is
a talk of issuing an order that no boy not yet apprenticed to a trade shall
be allowed to carry a club, and that any found doing so shall be publicly
whipped."

"I don't want to be turbulent," Walter said; "but if the Aldersgate boys
will defy us, what are we to do? I don't hit harder than I can help, and if
Jonah Harris would leave his head unguarded I could not help hitting it."

"I tell you it won't do, Walter," Giles said. "You will be getting yourself
into sore trouble. You are growing too masterful altogether, and have none