the mean time, whenever
Kalyb was absent, the seeming dwarf gave him instructions in all the
arts which would fit him to become an accomplished knight. Book
learning, though not much in vogue in those days, was not neglected.
Sometimes the fairy put a shining sword into his grasp, and showed him
how to wield it with a force no one could withstand; sometimes he was
mounted on a fiery steed which few mortals could have bestrode, and with
lance in hand he was taught to tilt against phantom knights, which, in
the most desperate encounters, he invariably overthrew. Thus, by the
time he had attained to man's estate, no knight in Europe was so
accomplished, while none surpassed him in virtue or valour.

Meantime the Lord High Steward bitterly mourned the loss of his
promising son. In vain he sent messengers throughout the world to find
him, and at last, remembering the ancient proverb, "Who wants goes, who
does not want sends," he resolved to go in search of the boy himself.
Storing himself with gold and precious jewels, he set off, attended only
by his faithful De Fistycuff. From place to place he wandered, year
after year, till his locks were turned to silvery grey, and his beard
became like the down of a thistle. One evening his heart fainting, and
his once firm knees trembling, he reached the gate of a monastery in
Bohemia. Then he sunk down before even his Squire could ring the bell
to summon the monks to his assistance. When the porter opened the door,
the Lord High Steward of England had breathed his last, and poor De
Fistycuff was bewailing his loved master's death, and his own hard fate,
in being thus left alone in a foreign land. The monks buried Sir Albert
hard by, and raised a monument, covered with some of his own jewels,
over his grave, reserving the remainder to pay the expenses of his
funeral. The worthy De Fistycuff they recommended to return to his
native land, unless he wished to become a monk; an honour he declined,
having his faithful Grumculda waiting for him at home. So, paying a
farewell visit to his master's tomb, the jewels on which he found had by
enchantment been changed to glass, he set off on his journey. Happily
he had, however, some of the presents intended for the wicked Kalyb in
his pockets; so, like an honest Briton, he was able to pay his way, and
be no discredit to his country. Leaving him to pursue his toilsome
peregrination, we return once more to the cavern of Kalyb.

CH