prowess of the king, and
fearful of his death, determined to aid him by all her power of
enchantment.

Therefore, when Accolan recovered himself and struck Arthur another
stroke, she threw a spell upon him and caused the sword to fall from his
hand to the earth. At once the king lightly leaped to it and seized it,
thrusting Accolan fiercely back. As soon as his hand had touched the
hilt he knew it for his sword Excalibur.

"You have been too long from me," he said, "and no small damage you have
done me. Treason has been at work, and treason shall have its deserts."

Then, seeing the scabbard hanging by Accolan's side, he sprang suddenly
forward and wrenched it from him, flinging it across the field as far as
he could throw it.

[Illustration: Copyright by Frederick Hollyer, London, England.

NIMUE.]

"Now, sir knight," cried Arthur, "my turn has come. You have nearly
brought my life to an end with this sword, and I warrant that you shall
be rewarded for the blood I have lost and the pain I have endured this
day."

Therewith, furious as a wounded lion, Arthur rushed upon his foe, hurled
him with all his strength to the earth, tore off his helm, and gave him
such a blow upon the head that blood burst out from his ears, nose, and
mouth.

"Now shall I slay you," said Arthur.

"Do so if you will," said Accolan. "You are the best knight I ever met,
and I see now that God is with you. But I promised to do this battle to
the uttermost, and never to yield me recreant. Therefore kill me if you
will, for my voice shall never ask for mercy."

Then Arthur, looking closer, saw something familiar in his face.

"Tell me who you are," he cried; "of what country and court."

"Sir knight," said Accolan, "I am of the court of King Arthur, and my
name is Accolan of Gaul."

Arthur heard this with deep dismay. For there came into his mind the
enchantment of the ship, and his heart sank with fear of the treason of
his sister.

"Tell me this also, sir knight," he asked, "from whom had you this
sword?"

"Woe worth that sword," cried Accolan; "I have gotten my death by it."

"That may well be," answered Arthur, "and I fancy have got no more than
you deserve."

"Yesterday," said the knight, "Morgan le Fay sent me that sword by a
dwarf, that with it I might slay the knight with whom I should fight
this day! And she would also pledge me to slay King Arthur, her brother,
for she hates him above any man in the world."

"How k