might be made. Geoffrey and Walter talked the matter over, and together
contrived a plan of operation for the following day.

"You will have one great advantage," Geoffrey said. "The apprentices are
all accustomed to the use of the bow, while the young nobles will know but
little of that weapon; therefore your shooting will be far straighter and
truer, and even a blunt-headed arrow drawn from the shoulder will hit so
smart a blow that those on the wall will have difficulty in withstanding
them."

After the talk was ended Walter again crossed London Bridge, and made his
way to Ludgate, where he found his late antagonist, whose head had been
plastered up, and was little the worse for the conflict.

"There is no ill-will between us, I hope," Walter said, holding out his
hand.

"None in the world," the young smith said frankly. He was a good-tempered-
looking young giant, with closely-cropped hair, light-blue eyes, and a
pleasant but somewhat heavy face.

"My faith but what a blow was that you gave me; why, one would think that
your muscles were made of steel. I thought that I could hit a good
downright blow, seeing that I have been hammering at the anvil for the last
seven years; but strike as I would I could not beat down your guard, while
mine went down, as if it had been a feather, before yours. I knew, directly
that I had struck the first blow, and felt how firm was your defence, that
it was all up with me, knowing that in point of skill I had no chance
whatever with you.