le knelt, praying God to send a champion.

"Where, then, is Heraud?" asked Guy of the man who told this tale.
"Where is Heraud, who never yet forsook man in need?"

"Alas! he has gone far beyond the seas," replied the man, "and so has
Guy of Warwick. We know not where they are."

Then Guy took his staff and turned his steps toward Winchester. Coming
there, he found the King sitting among his wise men. "I bid you," he
was saying to them, "give me some counsel how I may defend my country
against the Danes. Is there any knight among you who will fight this
giant? Half my kingdom he shall have, and that gladly, if he conquer."

But all the wise men, knights and nobles, stood silent and looked upon
the ground.

"Oh, we is me!" then cried the King, "that I rule over such cowards.
To what have my English come that I may not find one knight among
them bold enough to do battle for his King and country? Oh that Guy of
Warwick were here!"

Then through the bright crowd of steel-clad nobles there came a tall
old man, dressed in a worn, dark, pilgrim's robe, with bare feet and
head, and a staff in his hand.

"My Lord King," he said, "I will fight for thee."

"Thou," said the King in astonishment, "thou seemest more fit to pray
than to fight for us."

"Believe me, my Lord King," said Guy, for of course it was he, "this
hand has often held a sword, and never yet have I been worsted in
fight."

"Then since there is none other," said the King, "fight, and God
strengthen thee."

Now Guy was very tall, and no armor could be found anywhere to fit
him. "Send to the Countess of Warwick," said Guy at last. "Ask her to
lend the earl's weapons and armor for the saving of England."

"That is well thought of," said the King.

So a swift messenger was sent to Warwick Castle, and he presently
returned with Guy's armor. He at once put it on, and the people
marveled that it should fit him so well, for none knew, or guessed,
that the pilgrim was Guy himself.

Guy went then out to meet the giant, and all the people crowded to the
walls of Winchester to watch their champion fight.

Colbrand came forth. He was so huge that no horse could carry him,
and he wore a whole wagon-load of weapons. His armor was pitch-black
except his shield, which was blood-red and had a white owl painted
upon it. He was a fearsome sight to look upon, and as he strode along
shaking his spear every one trembled for Guy.

It was a terrible and unequal fight.