"Why call them in to hear me recapitulate your disgrace?
As to your appeals to me for help, and your claim, which you profess to have upon me, let me remind you that you were engaged as a soldier of fortune, and well paid for your services, though you and yours disgraced the royal army by your robberies and outrages.

All you gained you wasted in riot and drunkenness, and now that you are suffering for your follies, you come and make claims upon me." "Oh, this is too hard upon a poor soldier who has bled in his country's service.

Did I not once save your life, when you were at your last gasp ?" "No, sir; it was the other way on.

I saved yours, and when I was surrounded, and would have been glad of your help, you ran away." "Ha-ha-ha!" cried Ralph, bursting into a roar of laughter.
"Ah-h-ah!" cried the captain fiercely, as he half drew his sword; but he drove it back with a loud clang into its sheath directly.

"Stay there, brave blade, my only true and trusted friend.