The Salamanca Corpus: Yeoman Fleetwood (1900 ... - Gredos

The Salamanca Corpus: Yeoman Fleetwood (1900)
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with me. Now then, all you fellows, stand by and see fair. I've got to fight you, young
Charnock — 'tis a pity you're so small, but we can't settle the matter any other way, so
I'm going to hold one hand behind me and that will make me about your match. Come
on, lad, and take off your skates."
Humphrey turned his head with difficulty towards him; he was white and sick with
fear— the mere weight of Simon's hand on his neck was enough for him.
"I don't want to take off my skates," he stammered.
"There — there isn't time — besides I don't want to fight a fellow like you, Fleetwood."
"Well, you've got to do it," returned Simon grimly. "There's no question about a fellow
like me. If I tie up one hand we're equals. If you won't fight, I'll thrash you." While he
spoke he was propelling him towards the bank. The other boys gathered round, full of
excitement, and loudly protesting that nothing could be fairer or more honourable than
Simon's conduct.
When the bank was reached Simon released his adversary and began to unfasten his
skates, but Humphrey remained motionless. After a moment's pause he moistened his
dry lips and faltered: —
"There's a mistake, Fleetwood — I — thought, I didn't know you had a right to come
here, or I shouldn't have interfered." Simon looked up quickly. "You mean that you
apologise?"
"Yes, I suppose I do."
"There must be no supposing. You apologise fully and humbly?"
"Yes," hesitatingly.
“And you promise never to interfere with me again?"
"Yes."
Simon refastened his skate and returned to the pond,
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while Humphrey as soon as he was out of earshot explained to his incredulous and
disappointed companions that it would never have done for him to have got mixed up
with a fellow like that. He couldn't have demeaned himself by fighting with him —