get him, and to talk only of Sir Modred and
his ways.

And he, that he might gain the people's praise, made easier laws than
ever Arthur had done, till by and by there were many in the country
who wished that the King would never come back.

When Modred knew what the people wished, he was glad, and he made up
his mind to do a cruel deed.

He would cause letters to be written from beyond the sea, and the
letters would tell that the great King Arthur had been slain in
battle.

And when the letters came the people read, "King Arthur is dead," and
they believed the news was true.

And there were some who wept because the noble King was slain, but
some had no time to weep. "We must find a new king," they said. And
because his laws were easy, these chose Sir Modred to rule over them.

The wicked knight was pleased that the people wished him to be their
king. "They shall take me to Canterbury to crown me," he said proudly.
And the nobles took him there, and amid shouts and rejoicings he was
crowned.

But it was not very long till other letters came from across the sea,
saying that King Arthur had not been slain, and that he was coming
back to rule over his own country once more.

When Sir Modred heard that King Arthur was on his way home, he
collected a great army and went to Dover to try to keep the King from
landing.

But no army would have been strong enough to keep Arthur and his
knights away from the country they loved so well. They fought fiercely
till they got on shore and scattered all Sir Modred's men.

Then the knight gathered another army, and chose a new battle-field.

But King Arthur fought so bravely that he and his men were again
victorious, and Sir Modred fled to Canterbury.

Many of the people began to forsake the false knight now, and saying
that he was a traitor, they went back to King Arthur.

But still Sir Modred wished to conquer the King. He would go through
the counties of Kent and Surrey and raise a new army.

Now King Arthur had dreamed that if he fought with Sir Modred again
he would be slain. So when he heard that the knight had raised another
army, he thought, "I will meet this traitor who has betrayed me.
When he looks in my face, he will be ashamed and remember his vow of
obedience."

And he sent two bishops to Sir Modred. "Say to the knight that the
King would speak with him alone," said Arthur.

And the traitor thought, "The King wishes to give me gold or great
power, if I