LEGEND OP KNOCK- A-THAMPLE. 167 



" Fellow !" quoth the peasant, half affronted ; " three years 

 ago we were indeed fellows ; for the Red Pedler often sought 

 shelter here, and never was refused." 



""The Red Pedler /" exclaimed the tall stranger, starting 

 from his reverie, as if an adder had stung him ; and fixing his 

 fiery glance upon the late visiter, he examined him from head 

 to foot. 



" You will know me again, I trow," said the Pedler, with 

 extraordinary assurance. 



" I shall," was the cold reply. 



" Well/' said the new-comer, " though three years since I 

 bore a pack, I'll wager a rose-noble that I have more money 

 in my pouch than half the beggarly knights from Gal way to 

 Athlone. There !" he exclaimed, as he flung his cloak open, 

 '* there is a weighty purse, and here a trusty middoge, and a fig 

 for knighthood and nobility !" 



"Slave !" said the stranger, in a voice that made the pea- 

 sants tremble, "breathe not another word until thou hast 

 satisfied my every question, or, by the Mother of Heaven ! I'll 

 cram my rapier down thy false throat ;" and, starting on his 

 feet, he flung his mantle on the floor. 



Though surprised, the Pedler was not discomfited by the 

 dignity and determination of his antagonist. 



"Yes!" he sullenly replied, "I wear no rapier but this 

 middoge has never failed me at my need," and drawing 

 from his bosom a long triangular weapon, he placed it on 

 the table. "Sir Knight," he continued, "the handle of 

 my tool is simple deer-horn ; but, by the mass ! I have a 

 jewel in my breast, that would buy thy tinselled pommel 

 ten times." 



" Thou liest, slave !" exclaimed the Knight. 



" To the proof, then," said the Pedler; and opening a secret 

 pocket, he produced a splendid cross. 



" Villain !" said the tall stranger, under deep emotion, 

 "surely thou hast robbed some hapless traveller!" 



"No!" replied the Pedler, with a cool smile; "I was- 

 beside the owner of this cross when his last sigh was 

 breathed !" 



Like lightning the stranger's sword flashed from its 

 scabbard. 



" Murderer !" he shouted in a voice of thunder, " for three 

 years have I wandered about the habitable earth, and my sole 



