The consequence was, that after two or three
sharp attempts on the part of Sir Piercie, which were evaded or
disconcerted by the address of his opponent, he began to assume the
defensive in his turn, fearful of giving some advantage by being
repeatedly the assailant. But Halbert was too cautious to press on a
swordsman whose dexterity had already more than once placed him within
a hair's breadth of death, which he had only escaped by uncommon
watchfulness and agility.
When each had made a feint or two, there was a pause in the conflict,
both as if by one assent dropping their swords' point, and looking on
each other for a moment without speaking. At length Halbert
Glendinning, who felt perhaps more uneasy on account of his family
than he had done before he had displayed his own courage, and proved
the strength of his antagonist, could not help saying, "Is the subject
of our quarrel, Sir Knight, so mortal, that one of our two bodies must
needs fill up that grave? or may we with honour, having proved
ourselves against each other, sheathe our swords and depart friends?"
"Valiant and most rustical Audacity," said the Southron knight, "to no
man on earth could you have put a question on the code of honour, who
was more capable of rendering you a reason. Let us pause for the space
of one venue, until I give you my opinion on this dependence,
[Footnote: _Dependence_--A phrase among the brethren of the sword
for an existing quarrel.
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