Erbin, whose son,
that was so famous, men say has become a worthless court dandy.'

'I thank thee for thy words, fair sir,' said Geraint, and would pass
on.

'I would counsel thee not to attempt to cross the bridge,' said the
knight, 'unless thou dost intend to fight the little king. For armed
strangers he will not suffer to pass, and I doubt me if thy arms are of
much use to thee.'

And the knight smiled at the rusty arms and shield of Sir Geraint.

'Nevertheless,' said Sir Geraint, 'though my arms are old, I will go
this way.'

'If thou dost so,' said the knight, 'thou wilt meet with shame and
defeat. For the little king is a man of giant strength.'

But Sir Geraint passed down towards the bridge and crossed it, and went
along the road beyond towards the town. Presently Sir Geraint heard the
sound of hoofs behind him, and looking round he saw a knight following
him upon a great black horse, tall and stately and stepping proudly.
The knight was the smallest that Sir Geraint had ever seen.

When the stranger had come up to him, he said:

'Tell me, fair sir, is it by presumption or by ignorance that thou
comest armed along this road?'

'I knew not that in any of the lands of King Erbin, a peaceful man,
though he be armed, could not go without hindrance,' replied Sir
Geraint.

'That was so,' replied the knight, 'when King Erbin's son Sir Geraint
was a man of prowess, not a soft fool. Then his name alone kept his
borders clean of robber lords and bandit knights; but now that he is
less than naught, I myself must keep my land clean of thieves in rusty
armour that would frighten and oppress poor folk.'

'Nevertheless,' said Sir Geraint, 'I will travel by this road, and ye
hinder me at your peril.'

'Have at thee, then,' said the little knight, and together they spurred
towards each other.

Sir Geraint marvelled to feel how powerful were the lance-strokes of
the little man, while, as for himself, so high was the little knight's
horse and so small was the rider, that he was hardly able to get a good
blow at him. But they jousted until at the third bout the little king's
lance broke short, and then they dismounted, and lashed at each other
with their swords.

At first Sir Geraint thought it was nigh unseemly that one so strong
and tall as himself should have to do with so small a knight; but if he
thought that he had advantage in his longer reach and greater strength
he quickly saw his error.

For the littl