sted the interest
taken by the spectators in this encounter; the most equal,
as well as the best performed, which had graced the day. 15
But no sooner had the knights resumed their station
than the clamor of applause was hushed into a silence so
deep and so dead that it seemed the multitude were afraid
even to breathe.

A few minutes' pause having been allowed, that the 20
combatants and their horses might recover breath, Prince
John with his truncheon signed to the trumpets to sound
the onset. The champions a second time sprung from their
stations and closed in the center of the lists, with the same
speed, the same dexterity, the same violence, but not the 25
same equal fortune as before.

In this second encounter, the Templar aimed at the center
of his antagonist's shield and struck it so fair and forcibly
that his spear went to shivers, and the Disinherited Knight
reeled in his saddle. On the other hand, that champion 30
had, in the beginning of his career, directed the point of his
lance toward Bois-Guilbert's shield, but changing his aim
almost in the moment of encounter, he addressed it to the
helmet, a mark more difficult to hit, but which, if attained,
rendered the shock more irresistible. Fair and true, he
hit the Norman on the visor, where his lance's point kept
hold of the bars. 5

Yet, even at this disadvantage, the Templar sustained
his high reputation; and had not the girths of his saddle
burst, he might not have been unhorsed. As it chanced,
however, saddle, horse, and man rolled on the ground under
a cloud of dust. 10

To extricate himself from the stirrups and fallen steed
was to the Templar scarce the work of a moment; and,
stung with madness, both at his disgrace and at the acclamations
with which it was hailed by the spectators, he
drew his sword and waved it in defiance of his conqueror. 15
The Disinherited Knight sprang from his steed and also
unsheathed his sword. The marshals of the field, however,
spurred their horses between them and reminded them
that the laws of the tournament did not, on the present
occasion, permit this species of encounter. 20

"We shall meet again, I trust," said the Templar,
casting a resentful gla