w sentiments worthy of his
birth, embraced him, gave him his blessing, and hastened to the church
of St. Germains to pray for him, while the officers of the king
prepared the lists for the combat.

The battle was long and obstinate. The address and agility of Huon
enabled him to avoid the terrible blows which the ferocious Amaury
aimed at him. But Huon had more than once drawn blood from his
antagonist. The effect began to be perceived in the failing strength of
the traitor; at last he threw himself from his horse, and kneeling,
begged for mercy. "Spare me," he said, "and I will confess all. Aid me
to rise, and lead me to Charlemagne." The brave and loyal Huon, at
these words, put his sword under his left arm, and stretched out his
right to raise the prostrate man, who seized the opportunity to give
him a thrust in the side. The hauberk of Huon resisted the blow, and he
was wounded but slightly. Transported with rage at this act of
baseness, he forgot how necessary for his complete acquittal the
confession of Amaury was, and without delay dealt him the fatal blow.

Duke Namo and the other peers approached, had the body of Amaury
dragged forth from the lists, and conducted Huon to Charlemagne. The
Emperor, however, listening to nothing but his resentment and grief for
the death of his son, refused to be satisfied; and under the plea that
Huon had not succeeded in making his accuser retract his charge seemed
resolved to confiscate his estates and to banish him forever from
France. It was not till after long entreaties on the part of Duke Namo
and the rest that he consented to grant Huon his pardon, under
conditions which he should impose.

Huon approached, and knelt before the Emperor, rendered his homage, and
cried him mercy for the involuntary killing of his son. Charlemagne
would not receive the hands of Huon in his own, but touched him with
his sceptre, saying, "I receive thy homage, and pardon thee the death
of my son, but only on one condition. You shall go immediately to the
court of the Sultan Gaudisso; you shall present yourself before him as
he sits at meat; you shall cut off the head of the most illustrious
guest whom you shall find sitting nearest to him; you shall kiss three
times on the mouth the fair princess, his daughter, and you shall
demand of the Sultan, as token of tribute to me, a handful of the white
hair of his beard, and four grinders from his mouth."

These conditions caused a murmur from all