n oblation to the tomb.
Bradamante replied, asking by what right he called on the innocent to
do penance for his crime. "Your life and your armor," she added, "are
the fittest offering to her tomb, and I, a woman, the fittest champion
to take them." With that she couched her spear, spurred her horse, and
ran to the encounter. King Rodomont came on with speed. The trampling
sounded on the bridge like thunder. It took but a moment to decide the
contest. The golden lance did its office, and that fierce Moor, so
renowned in tourney, lay extended on the bridge. "Who is the loser
now?" said Bradamante; but Rodomont, amazed that a woman's hand should
have laid him low, could not or would not answer. Silent and sad, he
raised himself, unbound his helm and mail, and flung them against the
tomb; then, sullen and on foot, left the ground; but first gave orders
to one of his squires to release all his prisoners. They had been sent
off to Africa. Besides Florismart, there were Sansonnet and Oliver, who
had ridden that way in quest of Orlando, and had both in turn been
overthrown in the encounter.

Bradamante after her victory resumed her route, and in due time reached
the Christian camp, where she readily learned an explanation of the
mystery which had caused her so much anxiety. Rogero and his fair and
brave sister, Marphisa, were too illustrious by their station and
exploits not to be the frequent topic of discourse even among their
adversaries, and all that Bradamante was anxious to know reached her
ear, almost without inquiry.

We now return to Gradasso, who by Rogero's victory had been made
possessor of Durindana. There now only remained to him to seek the
horse of Rinaldo; and the challenge, given and accepted, was yet to be
fought with that warrior, for it had been interrupted by the arts of
Malagigi. Gradasso now sought another meeting with Rinaldo, and met
with no reluctance on his part. As the combat was for the possession of
Bayard, the knights dismounted and fought on foot. Long time the battle
lasted. Rinaldo, knowing well the deadly stroke of Durindana, used all
his art to parry or avoid its blow. Gradasso struck with might and
main, but wellnigh all his strokes were spent in air, or if they smote
they fell obliquely and did little harm.

Thus had they fought long, glancing at one another's eyes, and seeing
naught else, when their attention was arrested perforce by a strange
noise. They turned, and beheld the good B