ss passed
harmlessly over his head, grazing his crest. But as the rider rose to
his seat, a Bohemian knight, darting before Sir Frederick, checked his
career. Such was the fury of the onset that both were unhorsed. The
saddle-girths of the Suabian had given way, but the Bohemian fell,
pierced by the spear of his antagonist. The former sprang uninjured to
his feet, and drawing his sword, rushed against the first object of his
attack. Sir Sandrit, dizzy from his first shock, was staggering beneath
the heavy blows of his powerful opponent, as the knight whose advance we
have marked, crying "God and Suabia!" turned aside a stroke aimed at the
exhausted baron, and stepped between them.

"Who are you?" said the Lord of Hohenstaufen, parrying a blow and
returning it. "Your shield bears no device; beware lest you fall before
it obtains one!"

"I shall take a device when I have earned one," was the reply. "My name
would convey nothing to your ears."

"Then perish in your insignificance!" exclaimed the giant, bringing down
his sword with both hands. But the blow was avoided with admirable
agility, and the combat went on in silence. It seemed as if the struggle
could not last an instant, for Frederick towered full a foot above his
adversary. But the Lord of Hohenstaufen was fatigued by his passage with
the Baron of Stramen, and his wonderful strength was partially balanced
by the superior activity of the Suabian. In the mean time, numbers of
Rodolph's knights had now arrived, and the Duke Godfrey was compelled to
retreat. Frederick of Hohenstaufen lingered until almost surrounded, and
then retired slowly before his antagonist, hoping to obtain some
advantage from the pursuer's impetuosity.

But the Suabian was as cautious and dangerous as ever.

"Hold, Sir Knight!" said Frederick, suddenly sinking his sword and
lowering his visor. "I beg your name."

"I am called Gilbert de Hers," replied the youth, imitating his example.

"There," cried the Lord of Hohenstaufen, throwing down his glove, "wear
that for me, and say for Frederick of Hohenstaufen, that he rarely coped
with better knight."

At these words, the giant mounted a horse which a groom had brought him
through the fray, and, waving an adieu, wheeled off to another part of
the field. Gilbert raised the gage and fastened it in his casque. There
was a strong tumult in the young noble's heart. In spite of his
impulsive disposition, he was never so calm as when in danger.