I do not pretend that
I could stand against any man-at-arms, armed with sword and mace; but
only that I thought that, with my horse, I could evade the shock of a
fully-accoutred man, and then harass and maybe wound him with my
spear."
"Well, we will try, lad. Put on what you will, and get your horse
saddled. It will be rare amusement to see so unequal a course. We shall
be ready in a quarter of an hour."
Oswald went up to his uncle, and told him what was proposed. Alwyn, who
had witnessed his exercises with the rough riders of his father, smiled
grimly.
"If you can evade his first charge, which I doubt not that you can, you
will have him at your mercy, with your light spear against his lance,
and your moor horse against his charger; but put on the heaviest of
your two steel caps, and strong shoulder pieces. 'Tis like enough that,
in his temper, he may throw away his lance and betake him to his sword.
I will demand that he carries neither mace nor battle-axe, and that you
should only carry sword and spear. Your horse's nimbleness may keep you
out of harm, which is as much as you can expect, or hope for. Put on a
light breast plate, too, for in spite of the wooden shield to his lance
head, he may hurt you sorely if he does chance to strike you.
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