Ivanhoe

But when the field became thin by the numbers on either side who had

yielded themselves vanquished, had been compelled to the extremity

of the lists, or been otherwise rendered incapable of continuing the

strife, the Templar and the Disinherited Knight at length encountered

hand to hand, with all the fury that mortal animosity, joined to rivalry

of honour, could inspire. Such was the address of each in parrying

and striking, that the spectators broke forth into a unanimous and

involuntary shout, expressive of their delight and admiration.

But at this moment the party of the Disinherited Knight had the worst;

the gigantic arm of Front-de-Boeuf on the one flank, and the ponderous

strength of Athelstane on the other, bearing down and dispersing

those immediately exposed to them. Finding themselves freed from their

immediate antagonists, it seems to have occurred to both these knights

at the same instant, that they would render the most decisive advantage

to their party, by aiding the Templar in his contest with his rival.

Turning their horses, therefore, at the same moment, the Norman spurred

against the Disinherited Knight on the one side, and the Saxon on the

other. It was utterly impossible that the object of this unequal and

unexpected assault could have sustained it, had he not been warned by a

general cry from the spectators, who could not but take interest in one

exposed to such disadvantage.

"Beware! beware! Sir Disinherited!" was shouted so universally, that

the knight became aware of his danger; and, striking a full blow at the

Templar, he reined back his steed in the same moment, so as to escape

the charge of Athelstane and Front-de-Boeuf. These knights, therefore,

their aim being thus eluded, rushed from opposite sides betwixt the

object of their attack and the Templar, almost running their horses

against each other ere they could stop their career. Recovering their

horses however, and wheeling them round, the whole three pursued their

united purpose of bearing to the earth the Disinherited Knight.

Nothing could have saved him, except the remarkable strength and

activity of the noble horse which he had won on the preceding day.

This stood him in the more stead, as the horse of Bois-Guilbert was

wounded, and those of Front-de-Boeuf and Athelstane were both tired with

the weight of their gigantic masters, clad in complete armour, and with

the preceding exertions of the day. The masterly horsemanship of the

Disinherited Knight, and the activity of the noble animal which he

mounted, enabled him for a few minutes to keep at sword's point his

three antagonists, turning and wheeling with the agility of a hawk upon

the wing, keeping his enemies as far separate as he could, and rushing

now against the one, now against the other, dealing sweeping blows with

his sword, without waiting to receive those which were aimed at him in

return.