198 WILD SPORTS OF THE WEST. 



" 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 visitor, 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 Galway 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 

 peasants 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 ! " 



