danger of the law, which they were run too far into already; but
they rather derided him for it. Seeing therefore fair means would
not work upon them, he spake more roughly to them, charging them to
deliver their clubs (for each of them had a great club in his hand,
somewhat like those which are called quarter-staves): they
thereupon, laughing, told him, "They did not bring them thither for
that end." Thereupon my father, turning his head to me, said, "Tom,
disarm them."

I stood ready at his elbow, waiting only for the word of command.
For being naturally of a bold spirit, full then of youthful heat,
and that, too, heightened by the sense I had, not only of the abuse,
but insolent behaviour of those rude fellows, my blood began to
boil, and my fingers itched, as the saying is, to be dealing with
them. Wherefore, stepping boldly forward to lay hold on the staff
of him that was nearest to me, I said, "Sirrah, deliver your
weapon." He thereupon raised his club, which was big enough to have
knocked down an ox, intending no doubt to have knocked me down with
it, as probably he would have done, had I not, in the twinkling of
an eye, whipped out my rapier, and made a pass upon him. I could
not have failed running of him through up to the hilt had he stood
his ground, but the sudden and unexpected sight of my bright blade
glittering in the dark night, did so amaze and terrify the man,
that, slipping aside, he avoided my thrust, and letting his staff
sink, betook himself to his heels for safety; which his companion
seeing, fled also. I followed the former as fast as I could, but
timor addidit alas (fear gave him wings), and made him swiftly fly;
so that, although I was accounted very nimble, yet the farther we
ran the more ground he gained on me; so that I could not overtake
him, which made me think he took shelter under some bush, which he