t.
He stopped to read the words, which were: "Let no knight go to
the castle, for great danger is there."

"Oh," said Sir Balin, "I am used to danger. I fear nothing," and
he went on.

Presently an old man started up beside the road. He had a long
gray beard, and was dressed in a long gray robe that sparkled
with little specks of frost. The old man said to Sir Balin:

"Did you not read the letters on the cross?"

"Yes," replied Sir Balin, "but I am not afraid."

"Oh, Sir Balin, you of all men should fear to go to that castle,"
the old man said.

"Why?" he asked in amazement. "Nevertheless, I shall go."

"Sir Balin, Sir Balin!" cried the old man after him, "you are too
self-willed. You will be very sorry for what you have done before
you die."

But Sir Balin rode on without fear, and soon reached the gate of
the castle. A hundred beautiful ladies and many knights welcomed
him. They took off his armor and put a rich crimson cloak upon
his shoulders. Then they led him into a banquet hall where there
was music and dancing. They set food before him, and he ate,
thankfully. He was very happy, feeling sure that he could rest
here for many days.

Just as he was thinking this, the lady who was mistress of the
castle said:

"Sir knight, it is the rule of this castle that every lord who
comes here as a guest must fight."

"That is a hard custom," said Sir Balin.

"Yet you need fight but once," answered the lady. "We have here
the knight who entered just before you came."

"Alas!" said Sir Balin, "I would rather not fight, for I wish to
rest. Since such is the custom of the castle, however, I must do
my part. Let some one bring my armor."

A servant at once came up to him with a suit of black armor.

"This is not my armor," said Sir Balin. "My armor is not painted
black. It is honest gray steel, decorated with blue."

"It is the custom of the castle to wear black," they told him.
"This armor is as good as your own."

Sir Balin felt sad, he could hardly tell why; and was very sorry
that he had ever come to the castle. Putting on the armor,
however, he went into the courtyard and mounted his horse. No
sooner was he ready than another knight, clad all in black,
entered the courtyard.

The two knights rode together so fiercely that the shock threw
them both off their horses in a swoon. After a time they
recovered and began to fight on foot, pressing each other near
the walls of the castle.

Sir Balin was fi