ght, and wrangled among themselves for half-used bottles of
wine and relics of the refreshments which had been served round to the
spectators.

[Illustration: THE ARMOUR MAKERS]

Beyond the precincts of the lists more than one forge was erected; and
these now began to glimmer through the twilight, announcing the toil of
the armorers, which was to continue through the whole night, in order to
repair or alter the suits of armor to be used again on the morrow.

A strong guard of men-at-arms, renewed at intervals, from two hours to
two hours, surrounded the lists, and kept watch during the night.

The Disinherited Knight had no sooner reached his pavilion than squires
and pages in abundance tendered their services to disarm him, to bring
fresh attire, and to offer him the refreshment of the bath. Their zeal
on this occasion was perhaps sharpened by curiosity, since every one
desired to know who the knight was that had gained so many laurels, yet
had refused, even at the command of Prince John, to lift his visor or to
name his name. But their officious inquisitiveness was not gratified.
The Disinherited Knight refused all other assistance save that of his
own squire, or rather yeoman--a clownish-looking man, who, wrapped in a
cloak of dark-colored felt, and having his head and face half buried in
a Norman bonnet made of black fur, seemed to affect the incognito as
much as his master. All others being excluded from the tent, this
attendant relieved his master from the more burdensome parts of his
armor, and placed food and wine before him, which the exertions of the
body rendered very acceptable.

The Knight had scarcely finished a hasty meal ere his menial announced
to him that five men, each leading a barbed steed,[70-11] desired to
speak with him. The Disinherited Knight had exchanged his armor for the
long robe usually worn by those of his condition, which, being furnished
with a hood, concealed the features, when such was the pleasure of the
wearer, almost as completely as the visor of the helmet itself; but the
twilight, which was now fast darkening, would of itself have rendered a
disguise unnecessary, unless to persons to whom the face of an
individual chanced to be particularly well known.

The Disinherited Knight, therefore, stepped boldly forth to the front of
his tent, and found in attendance the squires of the challengers, whom
he easily knew by their russet and black dresses, each of whom led his
master's