ought if they
could get him in the field, he would so disgrace himself as to lose the
favor of the king and the court dames, or be certainly slain. For these
lords knew nothing of the adventure of the king in the forest,--all
those in the conspiracy having been slain,--and thought that Ranier had
either rendered some trifling service to the king, or in some way had
pleased the sovereign's fancy. So when the king and some of the great
lords of the court were engaged in talking of the battle that was soon
to be fought, one of the conspirators, named Dyvorer, approached them,
and said:

"Why not send Sir Ranier there, sire; for he is, no doubt, a brave and
accomplished knight, and would render great service?"

The king was angry at this, for he knew that Ranier had not been bred to
arms, and readily penetrated the purpose that prompted the suggestion.
Before he could answer, however, Sir Ranier, who had heard the words of
Dyvorer, spoke up and said:

"I pray you, sire, to let me go; for, though I may not depend much upon
my lance and sword, I have an ax that never fails me."

Then the king remembered of the marvelous feats which he had seen Ranier
perform in his behalf, and he replied:

"You shall go, Sir Ranier; and as the Lord Dyvorer has made a suggestion
of such profit, he shall have the high honor of attending as one of the
knights in your train, where he will, doubtless, support you well."

At this, the rest laughed, and Dyvorer was much troubled, for he was a
great coward. But he dared not refuse obedience.

The next morning, Sir Ranier departed along with the king for the field
of battle, bearing his ax with him; and, when they arrived, they found
both sides drawn up in battle order, and waiting the signal to begin.
Before they fell to, a champion of the enemy, a knight of fortune from
Bohemia, named Sir Paul, who was over seven feet in height, and a very
formidable soldier, who fought as well with his left hand as with his
right, rode forward between the two armies, and defied any knight in
King Dagobert's train to single combat.

Then said Dyvorer: "No doubt, here is a good opportunity for Sir Ranier
to show his prowess."

"Be sure that it is!" exclaimed Sir Ranier; and he rode forward to
engage Sir Paul.

When the Bohemian knight saw only a stripling, armed with a woodman's
ax, he laughed. "Is this girl their champion, then?" he asked. "Say thy
prayers, young sir, for thou art not long for this world