visor raised, and touched him with his lance; but, seeing no life was there, exclaimed with grief:

"Heaven! shall I, then, never know whose hand hath slain these knights?"

Full of impatience he resumed his course; and when he far had ridden, lit upon another knight, whose body was so shattered with his hurts that blood and life were oozing fast away. Moved deeply at his cries and sad laments, Jaufry drew near, and kindly asked what hand had dealt such measure to himself and the two others slain, and which side was moreover in the wrong?

"Alas!" the wounded man made answer with a sigh, "I will explain to you the simple truth. It is Estout, the master of Verfeil, who has reduced us to the state you see, to feed his pride. This knight is known so quarrelsome and fierce, that without mercy and without a cause he doth assault all comers far and near."

"Tell me," said Jaufry, "was he wrong in this?"

"I will, my lord, with Heaven's help, and that without e'en lying by a word. I and my friends were going to our rest, when Estout to my castle-gates, hard by, rode up, and bade us high defiance. Had it been day, we should have tarried long ere venturing forth; for we did know him master of such skill, that few as yet could e'er make head against him,—so merciless beside, as never in his lifetime ever known to grant his foeman grace: seeing him not, the bridge was lowered, and at once was passed. He, having drawn us far upon the road,—the better for the treacherous ends he had,—suddenly stopped, and turning, with lance couched on him who pressed him nearest, stretched him dead upon the earth.

"By this time we had recognised Estout, and turned our horses' heads; but he with threatening words pursued us close, and reaching my companion, slew him with a blow. He then his rage concentrated on me, and with such fierceness, thinking my end come, I missed my aim, the lance just glancing from his shield; but he with one stroke bore me from my horse, and three times struck me as I helpless lay, so that, good faith, he little life hath left. This, my good lord, is how the thing hath happed."

"Know you," asked Jaufry, full of thought, "the road he took, and where he may be met?"

"My lord, I cannot tell; but little do I doubt that you will find him earlier than you wish. Haste, then, to fly such presence; for believe, you cannot gain thereby aught else but iron: an you take my advice, you'll change your route."

"Change my route, say ye?" quoth Sir Jaufry; "no, by my troth; nay more, I will but follow him the closer up; and, should I catch this lord, we part not, he may rest assured, without a struggle; and without learning, too, which of us twain doth bear the stouter heart, the stronger arm, or wield the better sword."

He took his leave, with these words, of the knight; the latter prayed him to pass by his keep and send him aid from thence.

"I will not fail," said Jaufry.

Towards the manor of the dying man he took his way, and after some brief space he saw high towers and two squires well armed, who mounted guard before a raised drawbridge.

"Friends," he exclaimed to them, "God save you both!"

"And you, my lord, from every harm," they said.

"I have sad message for you," added Jaufry, "and bad news. Your lord is lying yonder sorely hurt; and his two comrades are both slain. Estout de Verfeil has misused them thus. So hasten to your lord, who wants your help."

He then commended them to God, and parted in all haste. Jaufry resumed his way, now trotting hard and now at ambling pace, until he reached a valley deep and dark. There he beheld the blaze of a great fire, round which were met a numerous company. Trusting he might get tidings there of Estout and of Taulat,—for truly counted he on fighting both,—he straightway rode to where the fire was, and found there figures that awaked surprise. Lords in rich vestments roasted a wild-boar; meanwhile, by dwarfs, stunted and out of shape, the spit was turned.

"Good sirs," said Jaufry civilly, "could I but learn from some of you where I may meet a lord I have followed this night through?"

"Friend," exclaimed one in answer, "it may be we can tell you when we know his name."

"I seek," said Jaufry, "Estout de Verfeil, and Taulat called the Lord of Rugimon."

"Friend," said the knight with courtesy, "from hence depart, and that with greatest speed; for should Estout but chance to meet you here thus armed, I would not give a denier for your life. He is so valiant and so stout of limb, that never yet hath he encountered foe who could make head against him. All these you see around are knights of proof, and can meet sturdy blows; natheless he hath subdued us all, and we are forced to follow him on foot wherever choice or venture leads him on. We're now engaged preparing him his food; so I advise you to depart at once."

"Not so, indeed," said Jaufry; "I came not here to flee. Before I turn my face, my shield shall be destroyed, my hauberk riven, and my arm so bruised it cannot wield a blade."

Whilst thus they held discourse, behold Estout arrived full spur, and, at the sight of Jaufry, cried aloud: "Who art thou, vassal, who thus dar'st to come and meddle with my men?"

"And who are you," said Jaufry in reply, "who use such pleasant words?"

"Thou shalt know that anon."

"Are you Estout?"

"I am, indeed."

"Full long have I been seeking you throughout this weary night, without e'er stopping in my course or closing eye."

"And for what end hast thou thus sought me out?"

"For that I wish to know why thou hast slain the three knights on the road; which act I take to be a sin and wrong."

"And is it for this that thou art hither come? Thou wouldst have better done to stay behind, for to thy ruin do I meet thee here; thou shalt this instant lose that head of thine, or follow me on foot like yonder knights who patter humbly at my horse's heels. Deliver, therefore, up to me thy shield, thy breastplate, and thy sword, and the bay horse that brought thy body here."

"My care shall be to guard them with my life," quoth Jaufry. "'Twas the good king bestowed this courser on me when he armed me knight. As to the shield, thou shalt not have it whole; nor e'en the hauberk, without rent or stain. Thou tak'st me for a child, whom thy poor threats can frighten: the shield, the hauberk, and the horse, are not yet thine; but if they please thee, try a bout to win them. As to thy threats, I scorn them: 'threats,' saith the proverb, 'often cover fear.'"

Estout drew off his horse at these bold words, and Jaufry nerved him to sustain the shock; then ran they at each other with their utmost speed. Estout struck Jaufry on the shield's bright boss, and with such mighty strength, that through the riven metal went the lance, breaking the mail which guarded his broad chest, and grazing e'en the skin. Jaufry meanwhile had struck his foe in turn, and with so just an aim, he lost at once his stirrups and his seat, and rolled halfstunned upon the ground.

He rose again full quickly, pale with rage, and came with upraised sword towards Jaufry. The latter, wishing his good horse to spare, at once leapt on the sod and raised his shield. 'Twas just in time: Estout, in his fierce rage, brandished his sword with both his hands, and made it thunder down with such effect the shield was cloven to the arm.

"St. Peter!" murmured Jaufry, "thou dost covet this poor shield; still, if naught stay me, it shall cost thee dear."

Suiting to such words the act, upon Estout's bright casque he then let fly so fierce a downward stroke, that fire issued