msel, "the sword you see is mine. But it
shall be yours if you will promise me a gift when I shall ask it of
you."

"By my faith," rejoined Arthur, "I will give you whatever gift you may
ask, if it be within reason and justice."

"Then," said the damsel, "go into the barge you see yonder and row
yourself to the sword, and take it and the scabbard. As for the gift, I
shall bide my time to ask it."

Arthur and Merlin now alighted and entered the boat they saw near by,
rowing it to where the arm in white samite held up the sword. Reaching
boldly out, Arthur grasped the weapon by the handle, and at once the arm
and hand disappeared beneath the water, leaving the wondrous blade in
his hand, and the scabbard with it.

When they reached the land again the Lady of the Lake was gone, and so
they mounted and rode away from that place of magic. Then Arthur looked
upon the sword and much he liked it, for the blade seemed to him of rare
promise.

"Which like you the better, the sword or the scabbard?" asked Merlin.

"The sword," answered Arthur.

"There you lack wisdom," said Merlin, "for the scabbard is worth ten of
the sword. While you wear that scabbard you shall never lose blood,
however sorely you be wounded, so take good heed to keep it always with
you."

So they rode unto Carlion, where Arthur's knights were glad enough to
see him, for his absence had greatly troubled them. And when they heard
of his adventures they marvelled that he would risk his person so alone.
But all men of worship said that it was merry to be under a chieftain
who would take upon himself such adventures as poor knights loved to
meet.

During the absence of the king a messenger had come to the court from
King Ryons of North Wales, who was also King of Ireland, and of many
islands, bearing a message of most insulting purport. He said that King
Ryons had discomfited and overcome eleven kings, each of whom had been
forced to do him homage in the following manner: each had sent him his
beard, and the king had trimmed his mantle with these kings' beards. But
there lacked one place on the mantle, and he therefore sent for King
Arthur's beard to complete the fringe. If it were not sent him he would
enter the land and burn and slay, and never leave till he had head and
beard together.

"Well," said Arthur, "you have said your message, and the most
villanous one it is that ever living man sent unto a king; you may see,
moreover, that my beard as ye