Without a moment's hesitation I stepped to the nearest fellow and, with a sturdy kick, sent his log from under him.
'Rise, you rascal, when I enter!' I cried, giving vent to the anger I had long felt.

'And you, too!' and with a second kick I sent his neighbour's stool flying also, and administered a couple of cuts with my riding-cane across the man's shoulders.

'Have you no manners, sirrah?
Across with you, and leave this side to your betters.' The two rose, snarling and feeling for their weapons, and for a moment stood facing me, looking now at me and now askance at Fresnoy.

But as he gave no sign, and their comrades only laughed, the men's courage failed them at the pinch, and with a very poor grace they sneaked over to the other side of the fire and sat there, scowling.
I seated myself beside their leader.

'This gentleman and I will eat here,' I cried to the man at the foot of the ladder.