nd peril of death.

CHAPTER IV.

THE FATE OF BALIN AND BALAN.

At the end of the three days came Merlin, who rescued Balin from under
the ruined walls.

"Your horse is dead," he said, "but I have brought you another, and the
sword you won in Arthur's hall. My counsel is that you ride out of this
country with all speed; for little you know the evil you have done."

"The damsel I brought hither must go with me," said Balin.

"She shall never go farther," answered Merlin. "The damsel is dead, and
with her many a good knight and fair lady. That blow of yours was the
fatalest ever struck, as you may see in the ruin of this castle, and as
you will see further when you ride abroad through this distracted
country."

"What have I done?" cried Balin. "How could I know that such dread
disaster dwelt within that spear? Who was he that lay within the bed,
and what does this strange thing portend?"

"You did but what destiny commanded," said Merlin. "It is fate, not you,
that is at fault. Let me tell you the meaning of this mighty and
terrible event, which destiny has thrown into your hands. He who lay in
that rich bed was Joseph of Arimathea, who came years ago into this
land, and bore with him part of the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. And
that spear was the same fatal weapon with which Longius smote our Lord
to the heart. King Pellam was nigh akin to Joseph of Arimathea, and
great pity is it of his hurt, for that stroke has filled the land with
trouble, grief, and mourning. As for King Pellam, he shall lie for many
years in sore pain from the wound you dealt him, and shall never be
whole again until Galahad, the high prince, shall heal him when he comes
this way in the quest of the Sangreal."

These words said, Balin mounted his horse, and departed in deep grief
for the harm he had wrought, saying to Merlin as he left, "In this world
we shall never meet again, for I feel that destiny has marked me for its
victim." But little knew he the full effects of that fatal blow till he
rode forth through the land. Then as he went through the once fair
cities and fertile country he saw the people lying dead on every side,
and cities and lands in ruin together. Few remained alive of all the
inhabitants of that populous realm, and as he passed these cried out to
him,--

"Oh, Balin, terrible is the harm that thou hast done to this innocent
land! Three countries lie destroyed through the dolorous stroke thou
gavest unto Kin