lanced it, shook it once or twice in
the air, ran his eyes down it for a flaw in the wood, and then finally
having made sure of its poise and weight laid it carefully in rest under
his arm. Then gathering up his bridle so as to have his horse under
perfect command, and covering himself with the shield, which was slung
round his neck, he rode out to do battle.

Now, Nigel, young and inexperienced, all Nature's aid will not help you
against the mixed craft and strength of such a warrior. The day will
come when neither Manny nor even Chandos could sweep you from your
saddle; but now, even had you some less cumbrous armor, your chance were
small. Your downfall is near; but as you see the famous black chevrons
on a golden ground your gallant heart which never knew fear is only
filled with joy and amazement at the honor done you. Your downfall is
near, and yet in your wildest dreams you would never guess how strange
your downfall is to be.

Again with a dull thunder of hoofs the horses gallop over the soft
water-meadow. Again with a clash of metal the two riders meet. It is
Nigel now, taken clean in the face of his helmet with the blunted spear,
who flies backward off his horse and falls clanging on the grass.

But good heavens! what is this? Manny has thrown up his hands in horror
and the lance has dropped from his nerveless fingers. From all sides,
with cries of dismay, with oaths and shouts and ejaculations to the
saints, the horsemen ride wildly in. Was ever so dreadful, so sudden, so
complete, an end to a gentle passage at arms? Surely their eyes must be
at fault? Some wizard's trick has been played upon them to deceive their
senses. But no, it was only too clear. There on the greensward lay the
trunk of the stricken cavalier, and there, a good dozen yards beyond,
lay his helmeted head.

"By the Virgin!" cried Manny wildly, as he jumped from his horse, "I
would give my last gold piece that the work of this evening should be
undone! How came it? What does it mean? Hither, my Lord Bishop, for
surely it smacks of witchcraft and the Devil."

With a white face the Bishop had sprung down beside the prostrate body,
pushing through the knot of horrified knights and squires.

"I fear that the last offices of the Holy Church come too late," said he
in a quivering voice. "Most unfortunate young man! How sudden an end!
In medio vitae, as the Holy Book has it--one moment in the pride of his
youth, the next his head torn from hi