However, I will not quit a countryman's cause if I can help it .-- Hark ye, Master Marshals man, you see this is entirely a mistake.

You should have some compassion on so young a traveller.

In our country at home he has not been accustomed to see such active proceedings as yours and your master's." "Not for want of need of them, Signior Archer," said Petit Andre, who returned at this moment.

"Stand fast, Trois Eschelles, for here comes the Provost Marshal; we shall presently see how he will relish having his work taken out of his hand before it is finished." "And in good time," said the Archer, "here come some of my comrades." Accordingly, as the Provost Tristan rode up with his patrol on one side of the little bill which was the scene of the altercation, four or five Scottish Archers came as hastily up on the other, and at their head the Balafre himself.
Upon this urgency, Lesly showed none of that indifference towards his nephew of which Quentin had in his heart accused him; for he no sooner saw his comrade and Durward standing upon their defence, than he exclaimed, "Cunningham, I thank thee .-- Gentlemen--comrades, lend me your aid .-- It is a young Scottish gentleman--my nephew--Lindesay--Guthrie--Tyrie, draw, and strike in!" There was now every prospect of a desperate scuffle between the parties, who were not so disproportioned in numbers but that the better arms of the Scottish cavaliers gave them an equal chance of victory.

But the Provost Marshal, either doubting the issue of the conflict, or aware that it would be disagreeable to the King, made a sign to his followers to forbear from violence, while he demanded of Balafre, who now put himself forward as the head of the other party, what he, a cavalier of the King's Bodyguard, purposed by opposing the execution of a criminal.
"I deny that I do so," answered the Balafre.