Athelstane took the observation as a serious compliment; but Cedric,

who better understood the Jester's meaning, darted at him a severe and

menacing look; and lucky it was for Wamba, perhaps, that the time and

place prevented his receiving, notwithstanding his place and service,

more sensible marks of his master's resentment.

The pause in the tournament was still uninterrupted, excepting by

the voices of the heralds exclaiming--"Love of ladies, splintering of

lances! stand forth gallant knights, fair eyes look upon your deeds!"

The music also of the challengers breathed from time to time wild bursts

expressive of triumph or defiance, while the clowns grudged a holiday

which seemed to pass away in inactivity; and old knights and nobles

lamented in whispers the decay of martial spirit, spoke of the triumphs

of their younger days, but agreed that the land did not now supply dames

of such transcendent beauty as had animated the jousts of former times.

Prince John began to talk to his attendants about making ready

the banquet, and the necessity of adjudging the prize to Brian de

Bois-Guilbert, who had, with a single spear, overthrown two knights, and

foiled a third.

At length, as the Saracenic music of the challengers concluded one of

those long and high flourishes with which they had broken the silence of

the lists, it was answered by a solitary trumpet, which breathed a note

of defiance from the northern extremity. All eyes were turned to see

the new champion which these sounds announced, and no sooner were the

barriers opened than he paced into the lists. As far as could be judged

of a man sheathed in armour, the new adventurer did not greatly exceed

the middle size, and seemed to be rather slender than strongly made.

His suit of armour was formed of steel, richly inlaid with gold, and the

device on his shield was a young oak-tree pulled up by the roots, with

the Spanish word Desdichado, signifying Disinherited. He was mounted on

a gallant black horse, and as he passed through the lists he gracefully

saluted the Prince and the ladies by lowering his lance. The dexterity

with which he managed his steed, and something of youthful grace which

he displayed in his manner, won him the favour of the multitude, which

some of the lower classes expressed by calling out, "Touch Ralph de

Vipont's shield--touch the Hospitallers shield; he has the least sure

seat, he is your cheapest bargain."

The champion, moving onward amid these well-meant hints, ascended the

platform by the sloping alley which led to it from the lists, and,

to the astonishment of all present, riding straight up to the central

pavilion, struck with the sharp end of his spear the shield of Brian

de Bois-Guilbert until it rung again. All stood astonished at his

presumption, but none more than the redoubted Knight whom he had thus

defied to mortal combat, and who, little expecting so rude a challenge,

was standing carelessly at the door of the pavilion.




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