'I have heard speak of your Colonelship, and of your doings in the German wars.

I have myself trailed a pike in my youth and have broken a head or two, aye, and a heart or two also, when I wore buff and bandolier.' 'Discharge your message,' said our Colonel shortly.
''Tis from his most worshipful the Mayor, and is addressed to yourself and to your captains, who are doubtless these tall cavaliers whom I see on either side of me.

Pretty fellows, by my faith! but you and I know well, Colonel, that a little trick of fence will set the smallest of us on a level with the brawniest.

Now I warrant that you and I, being old soldiers, could, back to back, make it good against these three gallants.' 'Speak, fellow,' snarled Saxon, and reaching out a long sinewy arm he seized the loquacious clerk by the lappet of his gown, and shook him until his long sword clattered again.
'How, Colonel, how ?' cried Master Tetheridge, while his vest seemed to acquire a deeper tint from the sudden pallor of his face.

'Would you lay an angry hand upon the Mayor's representative?
I wear a bilbo by my side, as you can see.