nch knights,
mounted, often two upon one horse, or afoot, were flying from that awful
field, striking out to the right in order to clear themselves of the
cumbering horde of fugitives. One of these knights lagged behind,
evidently because his horse was wounded. He turned to look back, and a
last ray from the dying sun lit upon him.

"Look," said Dick; and Hugh saw that on the knight's shield was blazoned
a white swan and that he wore upon his helmet a swan for a crest. The
knight, who had not seen them, spurred his horse, but it would not or
could not move. Then he called to his companions for help, but they
took no heed. Finding himself alone, he dismounted, hastily examined the
horse's wound, and, having unbuckled a cloak from his saddle, cast down
his shield in order that he might run more lightly.

"Thanks to God, he is mine," muttered Hugh. "Touch him not, Dick, unless
I fall, and then do you take up the quarrel till you fall."

So speaking he leapt upon the man out of the shadow of some thorns that
grew there.

"Lift your shield and fight," said Hugh, advancing on him with raised
sword. "I am Hugh de Cressi."

"Then, sir, I yield myself your prisoner," answered the knight, "seeing
that you are two and I but one."

"Not so. I take no prisoners, who seek vengeance, not ransom, and least
of all from you. My companion shall not touch you unless I fall. Swift
now, the light dies, and I would kill you fighting."

The knight picked up his shield.

"I know you," he said. "I am not he you think."

"And I know you," answered Hugh. "Now, no words, of them there have been
enough between us," and he smote at him.

For two minutes or more they fought, for the armour of both was good,
and one was full of rage and the other of despair. There was little fine
sword-play about this desperate duel; the light was too low for it. They
struck and warded, that was all, while Grey Dick stood by and watched
grimly. Some more fugitives came up, but seeing that blows passed,
veered off to the left, for of blows they had known enough that day. The
swan knight missed a great stroke, for Hugh leapt aside; then, as the
Frenchman staggered forward, struck at him with all his strength.
The heavy sword, grasped in both hands, for Hugh had thrown aside his
shield, caught his foe where neck joins shoulder and sank through his
mail deep into the flesh beneath. Down he went. It was finished.

"Unlace his helm, Dick," grasped Hugh. "I would