The provost told me not four hours since, that the Douglas and he had agreed that the feud should be decided by a yeoman on either party and that our acquaintance, the Devil's Dick, was to wave his gentry, and take up the cause for Douglas and the nobles, and that you or I should fight for the Fair City.

Now, though I am the elder burgess, yet I am willing, for the love and kindness we have always borne to each other, to give thee the precedence, and content myself with the humbler office of stickler." Henry Smith, though angry, could scarce forbear a smile.
"If it is that which breaks thy quiet, and keeps thee out of thy bed at midnight, I will make the matter easy.

Thou shalt not lose the advantage offered thee.

I have fought a score of duels--far, far too many.
Thou hast, I think, only encountered with thy wooden soldan: it were unjust--unfair--unkind--in me to abuse thy friendly offer.

So go home, good fellow, and let not the fear of losing honour disturb thy slumbers.
Rest assured that thou shalt answer the challenge, as good right thou hast, having had injury from this rough rider." "Gramercy, and thank thee kindly," said Oliver much embarrassed by his friend's unexpected deference; "thou art the good friend I have always thought thee.