e
slain. There was many a noble deed and many a base one done in
that mist.

The fighting went on with clashing of lances and shields
throughout the afternoon, and then the sounds grew fainter, till
there was silence. At last, towards sunset, a wind from the west
blew the mist away. Then Arthur, with Sir Bedivere by his side,
looked over the field of battle. He saw but one man standing;
all the rest were dead on the seashore. And the tide had risen,
and was swaying the helpless hands, and tumbling up and down the
hollow helmets and the broken spears that once had fought with
Rome. The king's face was white, and his voice was low as he said
to Sir Bedivere:

"There lie my slain, who have died for me. I am king only of the
dead."

"Nay, lord," said Sir Bedivere. "You are king everywhere still.
Now strike a kingly stroke against the one traitor who still
stands."

Sir Bedivere pointed at the one other living man, and the king
saw that it was Sir Modred. Arthur threw down his scabbard and
lifted his good Excalibur. Then he sprang upon the traitor. Sir
Modred struck the king on the helmet, which had been worn thin in
many battles. The stroke cut through the steel, and wounded
Arthur mortally, but he used his ebbing strength for one last
blow with Excalibur, and killed Sir Modred.

The king sank to the ground, but Sir Bedivere lifted him, and
bore him to a ruined chapel near the seashore. When he had laid
him down by the broken cross in the chancel, Arthur said:

"You know well that my Excalibur was given to me by the Lady of
the Lake. I have used it like a king. And now the time has come
to obey the writing on the blade. So take my sword Excalibur, and
throw it far out into the lake."

Sir Bedivere took the sword and went out from the ruined chapel.
He walked amid the graves of ancient knights over which the sea
wind was singing. He passed the barren cliffs and chasms, and
reached the lake at last.

He lifted Excalibur, and as he did so the moon came from behind
the clouds. The light fell on the hilt of the sword, and all the
jewels shone. Sir Bedivere looked until his eyes were dazzled; he
could not throw the beautiful weapon away. So he hid it in the
weeds upon the shore of the lake, and returned to the king.

"What did you see or hear?" asked Arthur.

Sir Bedivere replied:

"I heard the ripple washing in the reeds, and the wild water
lapping on the crags."

King Arthur, faint and pale, said:

"You ha