The Forest Lovers

Then it was that Isoult suddenly sat up and looked at Prosper. He

could not read her face, but knew by her stiff-poised head that she

was quivering. He said nothing, but made a motion, a swift jerk with

his head, to wave her out of the way. Galors responded by first

tightening, finally relaxing, his hold upon her waist. She slipt down

from the saddle, and stood hesitating what to do. She had waited for

this moment so long, that the natural thing had become the most

unnatural of all. Prosper never glanced at her, but kept his eyes

steadily on Galors. The times--in his mannish view--were too great for

lovers. Isoult stept back into the shadows.

The two men at once saluted in knightly fashion, wheeled, and rode

apart. The lists were a long alley between the pines, all soft moss

and low scrub of whortleberry and heather. Galors had the hill behind

him, but no disadvantage in that unless he were pushed down it; the

place was dead level. They halted at some thirty yards' interval,

waiting. Then Prosper gave a shout--"Bide the time!" "Entra per

me!" came as a sombre echo; and the two spurred horses flung

forward at each other.

Each spear went true. Prosper got his into the centre of Galors'

shield, and it splintered at the guard. Galors' hit fair; but Prosper

used his trick of dropping at the impact, so that the spear glanced

off over his shoulder. Galors recovered it and his seat together. It

would seem that Prosper had taught him some civility by this, for he

threw his lance away as soon as the horses were free of each other.

Both drew their swords. Then followed a bout of wheeling and darting

in, at which Prosper had clear advantage as the lighter horseman on

the handier horse. Galors' strength was in downright carving;

Prosper's in his wrist-play and lightning recovery. He, moreover, was

cool, Galors hot. At this work he got home thrice to the other's once,

but that once was for a memory, starred the shoulder-piece and bit to

the bone. Left arm luckily. Prosper made a feint at a light canter,

spurred when he was up with his man, and, as his horse plunged, got

down a back-stroke, which sent Galors' weapon flying from his hand. He

turned sharply and reined up. Galors dismounted slowly, picked up his

sword, and went to mount again. He blundered it twice, shook the blood

out of his eyes, tried again, but lurched heavily and dropped. He only

saved himself by the saddle. Prosper guessed him more breathed than

blooded.

"Galors," said he, "we have done well enough for the turn. Rest, and

let me rest."

"As you will," said Galors thickly.

The two men sat facing each other on either side of the way. Galors

unlaced his helm and leaned on his elbows, taking long breaths.

Prosper unlaced his; and then followed a lesson to Isoult in warfare,

as he understood it. The girl had run down the hill-side to the brook,

so soon as she saw they must give over. She now came back, bearing

between her hands a broad leaf filled with water. This she brought to

her lord. Prosper smiled to her.