He could see that his antagonist was a favourite among his kinsmen, and felt that, were he to discomfit him, he would excite a feeling of hostility against himself.
Both, panting from their exertions, drew a step backwards and lowered their swords.
"Enough!" William Baird said, "The matter need be pushed no further.
'Tis long since I have seen so good a bout of swordplay.

This young fellow has learned his business, and if, in other respects, he does as well, he will make a good recruit, indeed.
"What say you, lad?
Will you join us for a month, till you see whether you like our service, and we can judge how your service will suit us?
For that time you will have your living here, and drink money.

After that, if we agree, you can either be a retainer here, or we will give you a holding on the moor, build you a shelter, give you a horse, and, after our next foray, a clump of cattle." "That will suit me well," Oswald said; "and I like well the month of trial you propose." "I will take him, if you will let me, Uncle, as my own man," Robert Baird said.

"If, at the end of the month, he chooses service with us, and likes better to follow a master, with half a dozen men, than to live alone on the moors.

Methinks he would make a cheery companion, and one I could take to, heartily; and indeed, during the long winters, 'tis no slight thing to have one merry fellow, who can keep one alive, and of whose mettle and skill you are well assured." "So let it be, then, Robert.