ked, all its inmates having gone
to the tournament. The young man stood a moment in anger and indecision.

"My brother Kay shall not be without a sword," he said. "I remember
seeing in the church-yard a handsome blade thrust into a stone, and
seeming to want an owner. I shall ride thither and get that sword. It
will serve Kay's turn."

He accordingly turned his horse and rode back in all haste. On reaching
the church-yard he found no knights there, all those who had been placed
on guard having gone to the jousting, exchanging duty for sport.
Dismounting and tying his horse, he entered the tent which had been
erected over the stone. There stood the magic sword, its jewelled hilt
and half the shining blade revealed. Heedless of the inscription on the
polished steel, and ignorant of its lofty promise,--for the miracle had
been kept secret by the knights,--young Arthur seized the weapon
strongly by the hilt and gave the magic sword a vigorous pull. Then a
wondrous thing happened, which it was a pity there were none to see; for
the blade came easily out of stone and steel, as though they were
yielding clay, and lay naked in his hand. Not knowing the might and
meaning of what he had done, and thinking of naught but to keep his
word, the young man mounted his horse and rode to the field, where he
delivered the sword to his brother Sir Kay.

"I have brought your sword," he said.

The young knight started with surprise on beholding the blade, and gazed
on it with wonder and trepidation. It was not his, he knew, and he
recognized it at sight for the magic blade. But ambition quickly
banished the wonder from his heart, and he rode hastily to his father,
Sir Hector, exclaiming,--

"Behold! Here is the sword of the stone! I that bear it am the destined
king of England's realm."

Sir Hector looked at him in doubt, and beheld the blade he bore with
deep surprise.

"When and how did you obtain it?" he demanded. "Back to the church! Come
with us, Arthur. Here is a mystery that must be explained."

Reaching the church, he made Kay swear upon the book how he came by that
weapon, for greatly he doubted.

"I have not said I drew it," Kay replied, sullenly. "In truth, it was
not achieved by me. Arthur brought me the sword."

"Arthur!" cried the lord. "Arthur brought it! How got you it, boy?"

"I pulled it from the stone," replied the youth. "Kay sent me home for
his sword, but the house was empty and locked; and as I did not wis