custom, and I bid you cease it."

"He who is grieved with my custom may amend it if he will," said the
knight.

"I shall amend it," said Arthur.

"I shall defend it," replied the knight.

With these words they mounted, placed their spears in rest, and put
their horses to their speed. Together they came in mid career with such
violence and equal fortune that both spears were shivered to splinters,
but both knights remained in their saddles. Taking new spears, once more
they rode, and once again met in mid course with the same fortune as
before. Then Arthur set hand to his sword.

"Nay," said the knight. "You are the best jouster of all the men I ever
met. For the love of the high order of knighthood let us break another
spear."

"I agree," said Arthur.

Two more spears were brought them, and again they rode together with all
the might and speed of their horses. Arthur's spear once more shivered
into splinters from point to handle. But the knight struck him so fairly
in the centre of his shield that horse and man together fell to the
earth.

Then Arthur drew his sword eagerly and cried:

"Sir knight, I have lost the honor of horseback, and will fight you on
foot."

"I will meet you on horse," replied the knight.

Angry at this, Arthur advanced towards him with ready shield and sword.
But the knight, feeling that he was taking a noble adversary at unfair
advantage, dismounted, and advanced to meet Arthur on foot.

Then began a mighty battle, in which many great sword-strokes were made,
and much blood was lost by both antagonists. After the affray had long
continued the two warriors by chance struck so evenly together that
their swords met in mid air, and the weapon of the knight smote that of
Arthur into two pieces.

"You are in my power," cried the knight. "Yield you as overcome and
recreant, or you shall die."

"As for death," said Arthur, "it will be welcome when it comes, but I
had rather die than be so shamed."

Thus saying, he leaped upon his foeman, took him by the middle with a
vigorous grip, and threw him to the earth. Then he tore off his helmet.
The knight, however, was much the larger and stronger man, and in his
turn brought Arthur under him, deprived him of his helmet, and lifted
his sword to strike off his head.

At this perilous moment Merlin advanced.

"Knight, hold thy hand," he cried. "You little know in what peril you
put this realm, or who the warrior is beneath your sword."