thanks and departed.

As they rode together Arthur said, 'I have no sword,' but Merlin bade
him be patient and he would soon give him one. In a little while they
came to a large lake, and in the midst of the lake Arthur beheld an
arm rising out of the water, holding up a sword. 'Look!' said Merlin,
'that is the sword I spoke of.' And the King looked again, and a
maiden stood upon the water. 'That is the Lady of the Lake,' said
Merlin, 'and she is coming to you, and if you ask her courteously she
will give you the sword.' So when the maiden drew near Arthur saluted
her and said, 'Maiden, I pray you tell me whose sword is that which an
arm is holding out of the water? I wish it were mine, for I have lost
my sword.'

'That sword is mine, King Arthur,' answered she, 'and I will give it
to you, if you in return will give me a gift when I ask you.'

[Illustration: ARTHUR MEETS THE LADY OF THE LAKE AND GETS THE SWORD
EXCALIBUR]

'By my faith,' said the King, 'I will give you whatever gift you ask.'
'Well,' said the maiden, 'get into the barge yonder, and row yourself
to the sword, and take it and the scabbard with you.' For this was the
sword Excalibur. 'As for _my_ gift, I will ask it in my own time.'
Then King Arthur and Merlin dismounted from their horses and tied them
up safely, and went into the barge, and when they came to the place
where the arm was holding the sword Arthur took it by the handle, and
the arm disappeared. And they brought the sword back to land. As they
rode the King looked lovingly on his sword, which Merlin saw, and,
smiling, said, 'Which do you like best, the sword or the scabbard?' 'I
like the sword,' answered Arthur. 'You are not wise to say that,'
replied Merlin, 'for the scabbard is worth ten of the sword, and as
long as it is buckled on you you will lose no blood, however sorely
you may be wounded.' So they rode into the town of Carlion, and
Arthur's Knights gave them a glad welcome, and said it was a joy to
serve under a King who risked his life as much as any common man.

_THE STORY OF SIR BALIN_

In those days many Kings reigned in the Islands of the Sea, and they
constantly waged war upon each other, and on their liege lord, and
news came to Arthur that Ryons, King of North Wales, had collected a
large host and had ravaged his lands and slain some of his people.
When he heard this, Arthur rose in anger, and commanded that all
lords, Knights, and gentlemen of arms should meet h