I say: you're not going to let them take you prisoner, are you ?" "I'm not going to run away," said Mark sturdily.
"But they are six to one," said Ralph.
"Yes, if you stand still and look on.

If you won't let them take you, they'll only be three to one." "I'm going to make a dash for it," said Ralph, setting his teeth hard, for his wound smarted a good deal, and there was a peculiar warm feeling as of something trickling down his sleeve.
"What, run away ?" "Who said I was going to run away ?" cried Ralph.

"Look here: in war two kings who hate one another often join together against an enemy." "Of course," said Mark.
"I hate you and all your family, but we don't want any one else to set up here, near our homes, do we ?" "No," said Mark sharply.
"Then I'll stand by you like a trump," cried Ralph; "if you'll stand by me now.

It's long odds, but we've got right on our side." "Shake hands on it then," cried Mark--"No, we can't do that, because it's like making friends, when we're enemies and hate one another." "No, we can't shake hands," said Ralph warmly, "but we can make our swords kiss hilts, and that's joining together for the fight." "Agreed," cried Mark; and the lace steel shells of their rapiers clinked together, making the men, who were watching them intently, exchange glances.

"I say," said Mark hastily, "wasn't that a mistake ?" "What ?" "Joining like that.