he met a damsel, who said in sorrowful
accents,--

"O Knight Balin, why have you left your own shield? Alas! you have put
yourself in great danger. Had you borne your own you would have been
known. It is a great pity that a knight of your prowess and hardiness
should fight unknown."

"I repent that I ever came into this country," said Balin. "But now that
I am here I shall not turn again, and whatever comes to me, be it life
or death, I shall take it as my lot."

Then he mounted and rode into the island, in whose midst he saw a
castle, from which rode a knight wearing red armor, and mounted on a
horse which bore trappings of the same color. The warriors looked at
each other, but neither knew the other, though the two swords that Balin
wore should have revealed him, had not he borne a shield of strange
device.

Then, couching their spears, the hostile knights rode together at the
full speed of their war-horses, meeting with such mighty force and equal
fortune that both horses went down, and both knights were hurled to the
earth, where they lay in a swoon.

Balin was sorely bruised and weary with travel, and the red knight was
the first to gain his feet. But as he advanced with drawn sword, Balin
sprang up and met him with ready shield, returning his blow with such
force that he cut through his shield and cleft his helmet.

And now began the mightiest battle that island had ever beheld. As they
fought, Balin looked at the castle and saw that its towers were full of
ladies who were watching the deadly contest, and who applauded each blow
as though this combat was meant for their sport. The valiant knights
fought till their breath failed, and then took rest and fought again,
until each was sorely wounded and the spot upon which they stood was
deeply stained with blood.

They fought on until each of them had seven great wounds, the least of
which might have brought death to the mightiest giant of the world. But
still the terrible sword-play continued, until their coats of mail were
so hewn that they stood unarmed, and the blood poured piteously from
their veins. At length the red knight withdrew a little and lay down.
Then said Balin,--

"Tell me what knight you are. For never did I meet a man of your prowess
before."

"I am Balan," was the answer, "brother to the good knight Balin."

"Alas!" cried Balin, "that ever I should see this day!" and he fell to
the earth in a swoon.

Then Balan dragged himself up on