shoulders. Then the
guests would be brought to the supper table.

But Arthur did not spend all his time dreaming in the woods or
gazing at knights and ladies. For many hours of the day he
practiced feats of arms in the courtyard. It was the custom in
England to train boys of noble birth to be knights. As soon as
they were old enough they were taught to ride. Later on, they
lived much among the ladies and maidens, learning gentle manners.
Under the care of the knights, they learned to hunt, to carry a
lance properly, and to use the sword; and having gained this
skill, they were made squires if they had shown themselves to be
of good character.

Then, day by day, the squires practiced at the quintain. This was
an upright post, on the top of which turned a crosspiece, having
on one end a broad board, and on the other a bag of sand. The
object was to ride up at full gallop, strike the board with a
long lance, and get away without being hit by the sand bag.

Besides this, the squires had services to do for the knights, in
order that they might learn to be useful in as many ways as
possible, and to be always humble. For instance, they took care
of the armor of the knights, carried letters and messages for
them, accompanied them at joustings and tournaments, being ready
with extra weapons or assistance; and in the castle they helped
to serve the guests at table. After months of such service, they
went through a beautiful ceremony and were made knights. In the
country round about, Arthur, of all the squires, was the most
famous for his skill in the use of the lance and the sword, for
his keenness in the hunt, and for his courtesy to all people.

Now, at this time there was no ruler in England. The powerful
Uther of Wales, who had governed England, was dead, and all the
strong lords of the country were struggling to be king in his
place. This gave rise to a great deal of quarreling and
bloodshed.

There was in the land a wise magician named Merlin. He was so old
that his beard was as white as snow, but his eyes were as clear
as a little child's. He was very sorry to see all the fighting
that was going on, because he feared that it would do serious
harm to the kingdom.

In those days the great and good men who ruled in the church had
power almost equal to that of the monarch. The kings and the
great lords listened to their advice, and gave them much land,
and money for themselves and for the poor. So Merlin went to the