The next day joined in the tournament. It was a grand sight. The horses
pranced, the plumes flowed in the wind. The refreshments were executed
by contract, at so much a head, by a body of adventurers, who had
combined together to keep down prices.
"Nay, beshrew thee, man!" exclaimed JOHN, the Smith, to THOMAS the
Jones--a contraction of joiner. "It is these
combinations--co-operations, as Sir EVANS, the Clerk at the church over
yonder hath it--that ruin trade." Before THOMAS the Jones or joiner
could reply, there was a crash, and it was known that Sir BRIAN had been
overcome by a Knight who had no crest.
"He does not deserve to win," said a Herald to a Pursuivant--"defrauding
us of our fees! No coat-of-arms; no pedigree! It is simply disgraceful."
"Ay, and so it is," replied the under-officers of the College of Arms.
"But see yonder is ISAAC of YORK the Jew. Join me in a bond, and we will
avail ourselves of his usury." And within twenty-four hours the two
gentles had borrowed one-and-sevenpence-halfpenny!