On the other hand, the Major and I put a bold front on the business and defied him, not without some ground of law.

In this state of matters he proposed I should go along with him to one Squire Merton, a great man of the neighbourhood, who was in the commission of the peace, the end of his avenue but three lanes away.

I told him I would not stir a foot for him if it were to save his soul.
Next he proposed I should stay all night where I was, and the constable could see to my affair in the morning, when he was sober.

I replied I should go when and where I pleased; that we were lawful travellers in the fear of God and the king, and I for one would suffer myself to be stayed by nobody.

At the same time, I was thinking the matter had lasted altogether too long, and I determined to bring it to an end at once.
'See here,' said I, getting up, for till now I had remained carelessly seated, 'there's only one way to decide a thing like this--only one way that's right _English_--and that's man to man.