e had determined to win Arthur's
favor at the risk of his life.

"King Ryons lies not far away besieging the Castle Terrabil," he said.
"Thither will we ride, to prove our worth and prowess upon him."

"I shall be your comrade," said Balan. "We shall help each other as
brethren should, and trust to God for fortune."

As they stood conversing there came a dwarf riding in all haste from
Camelot. When he saw the dead bodies he tore his hair for sorrow.

"Which of you knights has done this foul deed?" he demanded.

"Why do you ask?" queried Balin.

"Because I have the right to know."

"It was I," said Balin. "He pursued me hither, and forced me to fight.
One of us had to die. As for the damsel, she died by her own hand, for
which no man can be sorrier than I. For her sake I shall owe all women
the better love and favor."

"You have done yourself great damage," said the dwarf. "The kindred of
this knight will follow you through the world till they have revenged on
you his death."

"That I do not greatly dread," said Balin. "But I am sorry to have
displeased King Arthur for the death of this knight; and sorrier still
for the fate of this lovelorn damsel."

As they thus talked there chanced to pass a king of Cornwall, named King
Mark, who halted on seeing the dead bodies, and demanded what had been
done. When the tale was told him he was grieved that true love should
have met so sad a fate, and said, "I shall not leave here till I have
built them a tomb, for they have earned a rich interment."

Then he pitched his tents, and buried them nobly, placing above them a
rich and fair tomb which he found in a church near by, and upon this
tomb he wrote their epitaph, as follows:

"Here lieth Lanceor, the son of Ireland's king, who was slain in fair
combat by the hands of Balin; and his lady Colombe, who for deep love
and sorrow slew herself with her true love's sword. May lovers
henceforth make this their place of pilgrimage."

CHAPTER II.

HOW ARTHUR TRIUMPHED OVER THE KINGS.

While the tomb was being erected over the dead knight and his love,
Merlin appeared at the scene.

"You have done yourself great harm," he said to Balin. "Why saved you
not this lady?"

"By the faith of my body, I could not," said Balin, "she slew herself so
suddenly."

"This must I tell you," said Merlin. "Because of the death of this lady
you shall strike a stroke the most dolorous that ever man struck, except
the stroke of ou