xtremity,
where he remained stationary in expectation of his antagonist. 5
This feat of horsemanship again attracted the applause
of the multitude.

However incensed at his adversary for the precautions
which he recommended, Brian de Bois-Guilbert did not
neglect his advice; for his honor was too nearly concerned 10
to permit his neglecting any means which might insure
victory over his presumptuous opponent. He changed
his horse for a proved and fresh one of great strength and
spirit. He chose a new and tough spear, lest the wood of
the former might have been strained in the previous encounters 15
he had sustained. Lastly, he laid aside his shield,
which had received some little damage, and received another
from his squires. His first had only borne the general
device of his order, representing two knights riding upon one
horse, an emblem expressive of the original humility and 20
poverty of the Templars, qualities which they had since
exchanged for the arrogance and wealth that finally occasioned
their suppression. Bois-Guilbert's new shield bore
a raven in full flight, holding in its claws a skull, and bearing
the motto _Gare le Corbeau_. 25

When the two champions stood opposed to each other
at the two extremities of the lists, the public expectation
was strained to the highest pitch. Few augured the possibility
that the encounter could terminate well for the
Disinherited Knight, yet his courage and gallantry secured 30
the general good wishes of the spectators.

The trumpets had no sooner given the signal than the
champions vanished from their posts with the speed of
lightning and closed in the center of the lists with the
shock of a thunderbolt. The lances burst into shivers up
to the very grasp and it seemed at the moment that both
knights had fallen, for the shock had made each horse recoil 5
backwards upon its haunches. The address of the riders
recovered their steeds by use of the bridle and spur; and
having glared on each other for an instant with eyes which
seemed to flash fire through the bars of their visors, each
made a demivolt, and retiring to the extremity of the 10
lists, received a fresh lance from the attendants.

A loud shout from the spectators, waving of scarfs and
handkerchiefs, and general acclamations, atte