hted, and to
lords, knights, ladies, and gentlemen were given back the lands of
which they had been unjustly deprived. When the king had thus
established justice in all the countries about London, he made Sir Kay
seneschal of England, and other officers he appointed also that should
aid in keeping back his enemies and holding his realm in peace and
orderliness.

CHAPTER III

HOW ARTHUR GAT HIS SWORD EXCALIBUR

On a day there came into the court of the young King a squire on
horseback, bringing a knight, his master, mortally wounded, and seeking
justice against the murderer. Then came up Griflet, that was but a
squire, a young man of the age of King Arthur, and asked to be given
the order of knighthood, that he might ride out against the knight that
had done the evil deed, who dwelt by a well in the forest.

Arthur was loath to bring this passing brave youth into peril by giving
him so high an adventure; but at the desire of Griflet the King at the
last gave him the order of knighthood, and he rode away till he came to
the fountain.

There he saw the pavilion of the knight, and his horse all saddled and
bridled, and his shield of divers colours, and a great spear hanging on
a tree hard by. Griflet struck the shield with the butt of his spear,
so that it fell clattering down to the ground. With that the knight
came out of the pavilion and said, "Fair knight, why smote ye down my
shield?"

"For I will joust with you," said Griflet.

"It is better ye do not," said the knight, "for ye are but a young and
late-made knight, and your might is nothing to mine."

But Griflet would have it so, and the two ran together with such force
that Griflet's spear was all shattered, and horse and rider fell down
sore wounded. When the knight saw the youth lying on the ground, he
was heavy of heart; and he unlaced his helm to give him air, and
finally setting him on his horse, sent him with cheering words back to
the court. Here great dole was made for him because of his wounds, and
Arthur was passing wroth for the hurt of Sir Griflet.

The next morning ere day the King ordered his best horse, and in full
armour rode out alone to encounter the knight of the fountain. It was
a strong battle they had. Arthur's spear was all shattered, and his
horse fell to the ground. Then they fought with swords with many great
strokes and much blood-shed on both sides. Finally by a mighty blow
from his enemy,--a passing big man of