t the moment, as the
combatants met in deadly conflict, claimed the exclusive attention of
the damsels, and caused the entire concourse to press close around the
barricades with eager interest.

"A strange way to mark his home-coming," muttered Captain Arkal,
thrusting himself as near to the scene of action as possible, closely
followed by Maikar, who, being little, kept easily in his wake.

"He knows well what he's about," returned the little man, whose
admiration for Bladud was great, and his belief in him unbounded.

Maikar was one of those men--of whom there are no doubt thousands--who
powerfully appreciate, almost venerate, and always recognise, the spirit
of justice when displayed by their fellows, although they may not always
be aware of the fact that they do recognise it--hence his belief in the
prince.

"A good day for the land if that long-legged fellow slays him," remarked
one of the crowd.

"That's true," said another.

Indeed, this seemed to be the opinion of most of the spectators; there
was also a general expression of confidence that the stranger was sure
to be victorious, but some objectors--of whom there are, and necessarily
must be a considerable number in the world--held that Gunrig was a stout
man to tackle, and it was not always length of limb that gained the day.

Such comments, however, were not numerous, for the concourse soon became
too deeply absorbed to indulge in speech.

The fight that now ensued gave some weight to the objectors' views.

At first the combatants rushed at each other with the ferocity of men
who mean to settle a dispute by instant and mutual destruction, and
there was a sort of gasp of excited surprise among the people as the two
swords fell at the same moment with something like a thunderclap on the
respective shields. Feeling that neither could overcome the other by
the might of a resistless blow, each, after one or two rapid cuts,
thrusts, and guards, ascertained that his adversary was so nearly his
match as to render great care needful. They retired a few paces, and
then advancing, settled down to their work, point to point and foot to
foot.

Gunrig, although inferior in stature to the prince, was about equal to
him in strength and weight, and, being a trained warrior in the prime of
life, was possessed of a sturdy endurance which, to some extent, made up
for the other's superior agility. In other respects they seemed well
matched, for each was highly trai