old enough to reign over Britain. Merlin therefore
secretly bore the babe, as soon as born, to Sir Ector, who brought
Arthur up in the belief he was the younger brother of his only son,
Sir Kay.

Arthur had just reached eighteen when the Archbishop of Canterbury
besought Merlin to select an overlord who would reduce the other kings
to obedience, and thus restore peace, law, and order in Britain.
Thereupon Merlin promised him a king would soon appear whose rights
none would be able to dispute. Shortly after, on coming out of the
cathedral one feast-day, the archbishop saw a huge block of stone, in
which was imbedded an anvil, through which was thrust a beautiful
sword. This weapon, moreover, bore an inscription, stating that he who
pulled it out and thrust it back would be the rightful heir to the
throne.

Meantime a tournament had been proclaimed, and Sir Kay, having broken
his sword while fighting, bade his brother Arthur get him another
immediately. Unable to find any weapon in their tent, Arthur ran to
the anvil, pulled out the sword, and gave it to Sir Kay. Seeing it in
his son's hand, Sir Ector inquired how it had been obtained, and
insisted upon Arthur's thrusting it back and taking it out repeatedly,
before he would recognize him as his king. As none of the other lords
could move the sword, and as Arthur repeatedly proved his claim to it
on the great feast-days, he became overlord of all the petty kings. At
Sir Ector's request he appointed Sir Kay as steward of his palace,
and, thanks to the help of Merlin and of his brave knights, soon
subdued the rebels, and became not only master of all England, but, if
we are to believe the later romances, a sort of English Alexander,
who, after crossing the Alps, became Emperor of the World!

During his reign Arthur fought twelve memorable battles, and, not
content with this activity, often rode out like other knights-errant
in quest of adventure, challenging any one who wanted to fight,
rescuing captives, and aiding damsels in distress. In these encounters
Arthur wore the peerless armor made by Merlin, and sometimes carried a
shield so brilliant that it blinded all who gazed upon it. It was,
therefore, generally covered with a close-fitting case, which, like
Arthur's helmet, bore as emblem a two-headed dragon. Having lost his
divine sword in one encounter, Arthur was advised by Merlin to apply
for another to Nimue, or Nymue, the Lady of the Lake. She immediately
pointed