ccording to the rules of chivalry.

As they rode forward a damsel came to Arthur, bringing him a sword like
unto Excalibur, with a scabbard that seemed in every point the same.

"Morgan le Fay sends you your sword, for the great love she bears you,"
said the messenger, "and hopes it may do you worthy service in the
fray."

Arthur took it and thanked her, never dreaming that he had been treated
falsely. But the sword that was sent him was but a brittle and worthless
blade, and the scabbard was a base counterfeit of that magic one which
he who wore could lose no blood, and which he in brotherly trust had
given to the care of his faithless sister.

CHAPTER II.

THE COMBAT OF ARTHUR AND ACCOLAN.

The time for the battle having come, the two knights took their places
at the opposite sides of the lists, neither knowing with whom he fought,
and both bent on doing battle to the death. Then putting spurs to their
steeds, they dashed across the field with headlong speed, each striking
the other in the middle of the shield with his spear, and with such
force that horses and men alike were hurled to the earth. In a moment
both the combatants started up in warlike fury and drew their swords.

At this juncture there came among the spectators the damsel Nimue, she
who had put Merlin under the stone. She knew, by the art that Merlin had
taught her, how Morgan le Fay had plotted that Arthur should be slain
that day, and she came to save his life if it lay in her power, for she
loved the king as deeply as she hated Merlin.

Eagerly to battle went the two knights, hewing at each other like giants
with their swords. But Arthur's blade bit not like Accolan's, which
wounded him at nearly every stroke, so that soon his blood was flowing
from a dozen wounds, while his opponent remained unhurt.

Arthur was in deep dismay on beholding this. That some treason had been
practised on him he felt sure, for his sword bit not steel as a good
blade should, while the sword in Accolan's hand seemed to have the
trenchant edge of Excalibur.

"Sir knight," said Accolan, "keep well your guard if you care for life."

"Thus will I," answered Arthur, and he dealt him a blow on the helm that
nearly brought him to the ground.

Accolan drew back from the staggering stroke, and then with a furious
onset rushed on Arthur, and dealt him so fierce a blow that the king had
much ado to keep his feet. Thus stroke by stroke went on the battle,
each kn