th.' And so he vanished, and a horn blew loudly, as a
horn is blown at the death of a beast. 'That blast,' said Balin, 'is
for me, but I am still alive,' and he rode to the castle, where a
great company of knights and ladies met him and welcomed him, and made
him a feast. Then the lady of the castle said to him, 'Knight with the
two swords, you must now fight a Knight that guards an island, for it
is our law that no man may leave us without he first fight a tourney.'

[Illustration: The Damsel Warns Sir Balin.]

'That is a bad custom,' said Balin, 'but if I must I am ready; for
though my horse is weary my heart is strong.'

'Sir,' said a Knight to him, 'your shield does not look whole to me; I
will lend you another'; so Balin listened to him and took the shield
that was offered, and left his own with his own coat of arms behind
him. He rode down to the shore, and led his horse into a boat, which
took them across. When he reached the other side, a damsel came to him
crying, 'O Knight Balin, why have you left your own shield behind you?
Alas! you have put yourself in great danger, for by your shield you
should have been known. I grieve over your doom, for there is no man
living that can rival you for courage and bold deeds.'

'I repent,' answered Balin, 'ever having come into this country, but
for very shame I must go on. Whatever befalls me, either for life or
death, I am ready to take it.' Then he examined his armour, and saw
that it was whole, and mounted his horse.

As he went along the path he beheld a Knight come out of a castle in
front, clothed in red, riding a horse with red trappings. When this
red Knight looked on the two swords, he thought for a moment it was
Balin, but the shield did not bear Balin's device. So they rode at
each other with their spears, and smote each other's shields so hard
that both horses and men fell to the ground with the shock, and the
Knights lay unconscious on the ground for some minutes. But soon they
rose up again and began the fight afresh, and they fought till the
place was red with their blood, and they had each seven great wounds.
'What Knight are you?' asked Balin le Savage, pausing for breath, 'for
never before have I found any Knight to match me.' 'My name,' said he,
'is Balan, brother to the good Knight Balin.'

[Illustration: The Death of Balin and Balan]

'Alas!' cried Balin, 'that I should ever live to see this day,' and he
fell back fainting to the ground. At this