: William Short Nose rides to the rescue_ 263

_The Witch Thurid cuts a charm on the log_ 381

* * * * *

TALES OF THE ROUND TABLE

_THE DRAWING OF THE SWORD_

Long, long ago, after Uther Pendragon died, there was no King in
Britain, and every Knight hoped to seize the crown for himself. The
country was like to fare ill when laws were broken on every side, and
the corn which was to give the poor bread was trodden underfoot, and
there was none to bring the evildoer to justice. Then, when things
were at their worst, came forth Merlin the magician, and fast he rode
to the place where the Archbishop of Canterbury had his dwelling. And
they took counsel together, and agreed that all the lords and
gentlemen of Britain should ride to London and meet on Christmas Day,
now at hand, in the Great Church. So this was done. And on Christmas
morning, as they left the church, they saw in the churchyard a large
stone, and on it a bar of steel, and in the steel a naked sword was
held, and about it was written in letters of gold, 'Whoso pulleth out
this sword is by right of birth King of England.' They marvelled at
these words, and called for the Archbishop, and brought him into the
place where the stone stood. Then those Knights who fain would be King
could not hold themselves back, and they tugged at the sword with all
their might; but it never stirred. The Archbishop watched them in
silence, but when they were faint from pulling he spoke: 'The man is
not here who shall lift out that sword, nor do I know where to find
him. But this is my counsel--that two Knights be chosen, good and true
men, to keep guard over the sword.'

Thus it was done. But the lords and gentlemen-at-arms cried out that
every man had a right to try to win the sword, and they decided that
on New Year's Day a tournament should be held, and any Knight who
would, might enter the lists.

So on New Year's Day, the Knights, as their custom was, went to hear
service in the Great Church, and after it was over they met in the
field to make ready for the tourney. Among them was a brave Knight
called Sir Ector, who brought with him Sir Kay, his son, and Arthur,
Kay's foster-brother. Now Kay had unbuckled his sword the evening
before, and in his haste to be at the tourney had forgotten to put it
on again, and he begged Arthur to ride back and fetch it for him. But
when Arthur reached the house the doo