ell me who did this thing, and by what
dismal chance, that I may tell the king."

Then Merlin related the story of his folly and fate, in the end bidding
the knight to leave him, for only death could free him from that prison.

Hearing this, Bagdemagus departed, full of sorrow and wonder, and after
many days returned to Arthur's court, where he told the story of the
magician's fate. Great was the marvel of all and the grief of the king
on learning this, and much he besought Nimue to set Merlin free. But
neither threats nor entreaties could move her obdurate heart, and at
length she left the court in anger and defiance, vowing that she would
never set free her old tormentor.

BOOK III.

THE TREASON OF MORGAN LE FAY.

CHAPTER I.

THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENCHANTED SHIP.

On a day not long after the event of Balin's death, it befell that
Arthur and many of his knights went out hunting in a great forest,
where, as fortune willed, King Arthur, Sir Accolan of Gaul, and King
Uriens, who had wedded Morgan le Fay, followed far on the track of a
great hart, which led them astray till they were ten miles distant from
their late companions.

They were all well mounted, but so hot was the chase, and so far did it
lead them, that the horses at length fell dead beneath the ardent
huntsmen, leaving them on foot in the remote depths of the forest. But
the hart was in no better condition, for the hot chase had worn it out,
and it dragged wearily on before them, barely able to keep its feet.

"What shall we do?" said Arthur. "We are far from human habitation, and
the night comes fast upon us."

"Let us go forward on foot," said Uriens. "We shall surely soon meet
with some place of shelter."

[Illustration: THE GREAT FOREST.]

Taking this advice, they advanced in the track of the hart, and soon
came up with it where it lay on the bank of a large stream, while a
hound had it by the throat, and others were coming up in full bay.

Then Arthur blew the death-note of the chase, and killed the hart. This
done, he looked about him, and to his surprise saw approaching on the
stream a small vessel, with flowing sails of silk. As it came near it
veered towards the shore, and finally touched land on the sands before
them. Arthur walked to the bank and looked over the sides upon the deck,
but to his wonder not a living person was to be seen.

"This is a marvellous thing,"