o the pile of lances, from which
he selected one both straight and heavy, but having no point.

"Not that to-day, Michael; for the rules of this joust do permit of
pointed weapons."

"Uh! sure thin, sor, that impudint Catesby 'll take his dinner with his
master, the divil, this day; fer will do Oi know, sor, that he's the
varmint yer honour's after."

I always forgave Michael for his familiarity; for without it he should
not have been Michael, and never did it harm me. At this remark about
Catesby I merely smiled and said:--"Have a headless spear ready, lest I
do need one also."

"Oi'll do that same, sor; but Oi'd loike to see yon Catesby's blood
upon the pint o' this, sor," and he motioned with his head in the
direction of mine enemy's tent and patted the point of the lance. The
faithful fellow always looked on Catesby as an enemy common to himself
and me.

Again the trumpets rang out full merrily, both long and loud. Then the
heralds, which had halted in the centre of the field, separated, one
remaining in the centre and the other two riding with their backs to
one another until one reached the North and the other the South end of
the lists, where each took his especial post. Then the one which had
remained in the centre called out the rules of this passage of arms.

After the customary prologue, that I ever considered tedious and
unnecessary; for Heaven knows even the balance of these fellow's
speeches is long enough, he at length reached the part that he had set
out to say.

"Know, all ye true knights and gentlemen of his Most Gracious Majesty
of England, Ireland and of France, or of whatever other Sovereign King
ye may be faithful subjects, that any knight, of proper standing and
untarnished honour, shall here be permitted to enter for these tilts.
All such aforesaid valiant knights and gentlemen, which have not ere
this had their names placed upon the recorder's list, are hereby warned
to do so now, with all expediency, or be content to live without the
honour of taking part in these noble contests. Any untarnished knight
now has the privilege of challenging to combat, either courteous or
martial, any other such knight, whose name is on the record for this
joust. When such a number of these tilts as his Most Gracious Majesty
doth consider to be proper shall have been decided, from amongst the
names contained in the recorder's sheets shall be selected, by means of
draft, two parties of twelve knights