It is as fair for you as for me." He made a gesture with his sword toward a tolerably level spot, and Ralph bowed his head.
"Then draw," cried Mark, throwing down his cap.
Ralph followed his example, and the next moment his own bright blade leaped from its sheath, and without further preliminary, they crossed their trusty blades, which emitted a harsh grating noise as they played up and down, flashing in the paling evening light, each awaiting the other's attack.
Mark, in the fear that his enemy would doubt his prowess, began the attack; and in defending himself from his adversary's thrusts Ralph soon showed him that he had learned the use of his thin rapier from a master the equal of his own teacher, thus making the hot-headed youth more cautious, and ready to turn aside the thrusts which followed when he ceased his own.
They fenced equally well, and for a few minutes no harm was done.

Then all at once, in response to a quick thrust, a spot appeared high up above the russet leather boot which came half-way up Mark's thigh, and Ralph leaped back with a strange feeling of compunction attacking him that he could not understand.
"Nothing," cried Mark angrily; "a scratch," as he pressed his teeth upon his nether lip; and they crossed swords once more, with the wounded lad commencing the attack with as much vigour as before.

And now, forgetful of everything but the desire to lay one another _hors de combat_, they thrust and parried for the next minute, till Ralph uttered a faint cry, as his adversary's sword passed through his doublet, between his right arm and ribs, a sharp pang warning him that the blade had pierced something more than the velvet he wore.
Mark dropped the point of his blade, for at that moment a whistle rang out, and he looked inquiringly in the direction from which it had come, leaving himself quite open to any treacherous attack had it been intended.
But none was meant, Ralph standing with his left hand pressing his side, just below the armpit, as another whistle was heard from a fresh direction.

Others followed, and the adversaries looked sharply at each other.
"Not birds," said Ralph quickly.
"Don't look like it," said Mark bitterly, as he drew his breath with a hissing noise, as if in pain.
"We're surrounded," cried Ralph excitedly, as they saw six or seven men appearing from different directions, and evidently all making the spot where the lads now stood the centre for which they aimed.
"You coward!" cried Mark bitterly--"a trap--your father's men.

_En garde_!" he shouted.