A BLOODY FRAY. 235 



with a stone, I suppose, and then bolt ;" for I 

 saw that he was looking which way to slope, 

 and beginning to sidle off. 



" Don't get over, Wilkins," cried Joslin ; 

 " Don't get over, let them come to us." Joslin 

 was in mortal terror, 



I had my sword, which I have before men- 

 tioned that I bought off old Dick, hanging by 

 my side. 1 uncocked the single-barrelled gun, 

 and thought I would keep it and throw away 

 my sword, but, on second thoughts, I threw 

 away the gun and kept the sword, for I knew 

 what I could do with the latter. 



I had practised single-stick in Wiltshire, and 

 that very night, before leaving home, I had 

 shown Hutley and Joslin what I could do with 

 my weapon. I noticed them smile as I buckled 

 it on, so I diew it, and remarked that it was a 

 very handy thing to carry. I placed the candle 

 on the table. *'Now," said I, " I'll snuff that 

 candle backwards and forwards, and then split 

 the wick down the middle, with my sword." 

 This I did, and they then ceased to smile. 



Well, I stepped back into the field for a run 



