# III: I Find Myself in a Tavern Brawl: And Barely Escape explained — The Splendid Spur

> Chapter companion for The Splendid Spur by Arthur Quiller-Couch.

## What happens

Jack Marvel receives a note from Anthony Killigrew to meet at the Crown tavern, but upon arrival a brawl erupts. Anthony is fatally wounded by Captain Settle and a trooper. Jack throws a tankard at the trooper, grabs a chair, and after Anthony's death, escapes through a window, fleeing the Watch. He runs through Oxford, eventually tripping near Master Timothy Carter's house, where a stranger offers to help him hide.

## Themes in this chapter

### Friendship and Comradeship

Anthony's trust in Jack, giving him the letter and sword, and Jack's loyalty in trying to help him.

### Deception and Truth

The dice were cogg'd (rigged), leading to the fatal brawl; Jack's hope that the potboy's evidence will clear him.

## Character check-ins

### Jack Marvel

Narrator; receives note from Anthony, arrives at the Crown, throws a tankard, uses a chair to defend himself, escapes through the window, and flees the Watch.

### Anthony Killigrew

Sends Jack a note to meet at the Crown; is fatally wounded by Captain Settle; gives Jack a letter and his sword before dying.

### Luke Settle

Captain Settle; fights Anthony in the tavern, stabs him through the chest, and escapes through the window with Dick.

### Dick

Dog-faced trooper; aids Settle, is hit by Jack's tankard and later a chair, then escapes through the window.

### Master Timothy Carter

Jack's mother's cousin and guardian; town clerk of Oxford; Jack runs toward his house but is tripped by a stranger.

### John Davenant

Host of the Crown; directs Jack to the room; later appears at the scene with the Watch.

## Key lines

> Deare Jack Wee goe to the Crowne at VI o'clock, I having mett with Captain Settle, who is on dewty with the horse tonite, and must to Abendonn by IX . I looke for you⁠— Your unfayned loving A. K.

Anthony writes to Jack that the meeting is moved to six o'clock at the Crown because he ran into Captain Settle, who has to be in Abingdon by nine.

_Shows the urgency and change of plan leading to the brawl._

> Just in time, Jack! Take off the second cur, that's a sweet boy!

Anthony calls out to Jack to deal with the second attacker (the trooper) while he fights Settle.

_Demonstrates Anthony's camaraderie and trust in Jack under duress._

> Here, Jack, here: pocket it quick!

Anthony hands Jack a letter, urging him to hide it immediately.

_Key moment: the letter is likely important for the plot._

> Pardon, comrade. We are two of a trade, I see.

A stranger who tripped Jack speaks to him as a fellow fugitive.

_Introduces a mysterious ally who helps Jack escape the Watch._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_splendid_spur_se/chapters/iii-i-find-myself-in-a-tavern-brawl-and-barely-escape
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_splendid_spur_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_splendid_spur_se/chapters