is free, to each of you, to do the best he can to overthrow
his opponent."

As he gave the signal, the two riders dashed at full speed at each
other; and, for a moment, the spectators thought that Oswald was going
to be mad enough to meet his opponent in full course. When, however,
the horses were within a length of each other, the rough pony swerved
aside with a spring like that of a deer; and, wheeling round instantly,
Oswald followed his opponent. The latter tried to wheel his charger,
but as he did so, Oswald's spear struck him in the vizor, leaving a
white mark on each side of the slit; and then he too wheeled his horse,
maintaining his position on the left hand, but somewhat in rear, of his
opponent; who was, thereby, wholly unable to use his lance, while
Oswald marked the junction of gorget and helmet with several white
circles. Furious at finding himself incapable of either defending
himself, or of striking a blow, the squire threw away his lance, and
drew his sword.

Hotspur shouted, at the top of his voice:

"A breach of the rules! A breach of the rules! The combat is at an
end."

But his words were unheard, in the helmet. Making his horse wheel round
on his hind legs, Sinclair rode at Oswald with uplifted sword. The
latter again couched his spear under his arm and, touching his horse
with his spur, the animal sprung forward; and before the sword could
fall, the point of the spear caught the squire under the armpit, and
hurled him sideways from his saddle.

Hotspur and those round him ran forward. Sinclair lay without moving,
stunned by the force with which he had fallen. Oswald had already leapt
from his horse, and raised Sinclair's head, and began to unlace the
fastenings of his helmet. Hotspur's face was flushed with anger.

"Do not upbraid him, my lord, I pray you," Oswald said. "He could
scarce have avoided breaking the conditions, helpless as he felt
himself; and he could not have heard your voice, which would be lost in
his helmet. I pray you, be not angered with him."

Hotspur's face cleared.

"At your request I will not, lad," he said; "and, indeed, he has been
punished sufficiently."

By the time that the helmet was removed, one of the soldiers from the
battlements ran out from the castle, with a ewer of water. This was
dashed into the squire's face. He presently opened his eyes. A heavy
fall was thought but little of in those days; and as Sinclair was
raised to his feet, and looked roun