The bachelor whom Myles had struck down with his cudgel was sitting up rubbing the back of his head, and Wilkes had gathered his wits enough to crawl to the shelter of the nearest buttress. Myles, peeping around the corner behind which he stood, could see that the bachelors were gathered into a little group consulting together. Suddenly it broke asunder, and Blunt turned around.
"Ho, Falworth!" he cried. "Wilt thou hold truce whiles we parley with ye?"
"Aye," answered Myles.
"Wilt thou give me thine honor that ye will hold your hands from harming us whiles we talk together?"
"Yea," said Myles, "I will pledge thee mine honor."
"I accept thy pledge. See! here we throw aside our stones and lay down our knives. Lay ye by your clubs, and meet us in parley at the horse- block yonder."
"So
