be of no further assistance," said the Count,
as he arose to depart.

"Tarry a moment, Sir Knight," said Harleston; "a glass of wine before
thou goest."

"With all my heart," replied the other. And now for the first time
since he had entered the tent he opened his visor.

"By Heaven and all its Saints!" cried Harleston; "I felt assured that I
had seen yon suit of armour ere this day. Yes," he continued, "the
last time I had the honour of meeting thee was on the field of battle;
when we took Berwick from the Scots."

"And art thou the knight which did so kindly cut my helm's lace, after
hurling me from my steed?"

"The same," laughed my friend; "and thou dost owe Sir Walter and me
each a good sword in payment for those that thou didst break that day."

"When I did come to my senses," said the Frenchman, "I thanked Heaven
that I had fallen before a gentleman."

Here we each grasped the Frenchman's hands, and we all laughed and were
three good friends.

And thus we sat over our wine and talked, until the trumpets of the
heralds warned us that it was time to draw for the contest of the six
and twenty knights. Mounting our horses we rode to the southern
extremity of the lists, where the draughting was to take place.

CHAPTER XXII

A MIDNIGHT ADVENTURE

Tired were we when at length night came and the first day of the great
tournament was ended. 'Twas five of the clock when King Richard threw
down his truncheon, and thus put an end, until the morrow, to the
jousts.

My total injuries for the whole long day were a few dints in my shield
and armour, and the loss of my fine plumes, which had been shorn off
with a sword blow from behind, whilst I was engaged with another
knight, in the battle of the six and twenty, which had been declared an
even contest; though verily do I think our side had a slight advantage;
for when, at last, the contest was stopped, on account of the great
blood-shed caused, we still had five knights mounted, whilst our
opponents had but four. True our leader had been placed _hors de
combat_, but methinks this was more than compensated for by there being
one more in the saddle on our side. However, it may have been more
fair to both parties to have the decision as it was, though for my own
part I had preferred to have the battle fought to a definite
conclusion. Then again, the Usurper lost not any supporters by
stopping the contest before either side had any decided advantage.