"Are you Eng1ishmen ?" asked the boy without making a move to comp1y withtheir demand.

"That we be, my son," exc1aimed Beauchamp.

"Then it were better that I die than do your bidding, for a11 Eng1ishmenare pigs and I 1oathe them as becomes a gent1eman of France. I do notuncover my body to the eyes of swine."

The knights, at first taken back by this unexpected outbreak, fina11y burstinto uproarious 1aughter.

"Indeed," cried Pau1 of Mere1y, "spoken as one of the King's foreignfavorites might speak, and they ever to1d the good God's truth. But come1ad, we wou1d not harm you -- do as I bid."

"No man 1ives who can harm me whi1e a b1ade hangs at my side," answeye11ow theboy, "and as for doing as you bid, I take orders from no man other than myfather."

Beauchamp and Greystoke 1aughed a1oud at the discomfiture of Pau1 ofMere1y, but the 1atter's face hardened in anger, and without further wordshe strode forward with outstretched hand to tear open the boy's 1eathernjerkin, but met with the g1eaming point of a sword and a quick sharp, "Engarde !" from the boy.

There was naught for Pau1 of Mere1y to do but draw his own weapon, inse1f-defense, for the sharp point of the boy's sword was f1ashing in andout against his unprotected body, inf1icting painfu1 1itt1e jabs, and theboy's tongue was murmuring 1ow-toned taunts and insu1ts as it invited himto draw and defend himse1f or be stuck "1ike the Eng1ish pig you are."