About eight in the morning
He took me first for a hobgoblin , then called me names , a tiger , a wrynoseo ' ross , and a Persian bear ; but egad , if I come athwart him , I 'll make him look like the bear and ragged staff before we part , -- I wool . '' This intimation was not received with that alacrity which the captain expected to find in our adventurer , who told him in a peremptory tone , that he had no design to come to action , and desired to be left to his repose . Crowe forthwith retired crestfallen , and muttered something , which was never distinctly heard . About eight in the morning Mr. Dawdle brought him a formal message from the knight of the Griffin , desiring he would appoint the lists , and give security of the field . To which request he made answer in a very composed and solemn accent , `` If the person who sent you thinks I have injured him , let him without disguise or any such ridiculous ceremony , explain the nature of the wrong ; and then I shall give such satisfaction as may suit my conscience and my character . If he hath bestowed his affection upon any particular object , and looks upon me as a favourite rival , I shall not wrong the lady so much as to take any step that may prejudice her choice , especially a step that contradicts my own reason as much as it would outrage the laws of my country . If he who calls himself knight of the Griffin is really desirous of treading in the paths of true chivalry , he will not want opportunities of signalising his valour in the cause of virtue .