which is but a dry county, and there are few who swim in those parts.'
'I ask no thanks,' Alleyne answered shortly. 'Give me your hand to rise, Ford.'
'The river has been my enemy,' said Tranter, 'but it hath been a good friend to you, for it hath saved your life this day.'
'That is as it may be,' returned Alleyne.
'But all is now well over,' quoth Harcomb, 'and no scath come of it, which is more than I had at one time hoped for. Our young friend here hath very fairly and honestly earned his right to be craftsman of the Honourable Guild of the Squires of Bordeaux. Here is your doublet, Tranter.'
'Alas for my poor sword which lies at the bottom of the Garonne!' said the squire.
'Here is your pourpoint, Edricson,' cried Norbury. 'Throw it over your shoulders, that you may have at least one dry garment.'
'And now away back to the abbey,' said several.
'One moment, sirs,' cried Alleyne, who was leaning on Ford's shoulder, with the broken sword, which he had picked up, still clutched in his right hand. 'My ears may be somewhat dulled by the water, and perchance what has been said has escaped me, but I have not yet heard this gentleman crave pardon for the insult which he put upon me in the hall.'
'What! do you still pursue the quarrel?' asked Tranter.
'And why not, sir? I am slow to take up such things, but once afoot I shall follow it while I have life or breath.'
'Ma foi! you have not too much of either, for you are as white as marble,' said Harcomb bluntly. 'Take my rede, sir, and let it drop, for you have come very well out from it.'
'Nay,' said Alleyne, 'this quarrel is none of my making, but, now that I am here, I swear to you that I shall never leave this spot until I have that which I have come for:
