"And what was your share of it?" his father asked, sternly.

"His share was an excellent one, Sir Ralph," Edgar said. "Two of the
ruffians ran at us as we came up. One, who attacked me, was but a poor
swordsman, and I ran him through at the first thrust. I then paused a
moment to ask Albert if he required aid, and he answered, as quietly as he
is now speaking, 'No, I think that I can manage him.' I had no time to say
more, for I saw that a moment's delay would endanger the life of the
traveller. Just as I reached him I heard a yell of pain, and knew that
Albert had done his work. That howl saved the traveller's life. The man
who was kneeling on him looked round for a moment before delivering his
blow, which gave me time to smite him across the wrist. The blood you see
was caused by dragging him off the traveller."

"By our lady!" Sir Ralph exclaimed, "but you have begun well, lads. That
you would do so, Edgar, was a matter beyond doubt, but that Albert should
stand up so well and so coolly in his first fight surprises me indeed. I
had no doubt of your courage, lad. 'Tis rare indeed for one of good blood
to lack courage, but had you been nervous and flurried the first time you
were called upon to play the part of a man, it would have seemed to me but
natural; now it gladdens me indeed to know that even in your first essay
you should have thus shown that you possess nerve and coolness as well as
courage. Anyone can rush into a fight and deal blows right and left, but
it is far more rare to find one who, in his very first trial at arms, can
keep his head clear, and be able to reply to a question, as Edgar says you
did, in a calm and even voice. Now, tell me, who was this man to whose aid
you arrived just at the nick of time?"

"He looked like a London trader, father, and was some forty years old; but