of marble, upon which stood an anvil of steel a foot in
height; and through the anvil and deep into the stone was thrust a
gleaming sword, upon which, in letters of gold, ran these words, "Whoso
pulleth this sword out of this stone is of right born king of all
England."

Whether Merlin performed this strange thing by magic, or it was a
miracle of God's will, the chronicles say not, but all who saw it deeply
marvelled, and word of it was brought to the archbishop in the church.

"Let no man stir," he enjoined. "This is God's doing, and must be dealt
with gravely and solemnly. I command that all stay within the church and
pray unto God until the high mass be done. Till then let no hand touch
the sword."

And so the service went on until its end; but after it was done the
audience hastened to behold the miracle, and some of the higher lords,
who were ambitious for the throne, laid eager hold upon the sword and
sought with all their strength to draw it. Yet all in vain they tugged;
the mightiest among them could not stir the deep-thrust blade.

"The man is not here," said the archbishop, "who shall draw that sword;
but God, in His own good season, will make him known. This, then, is my
counsel: let us set ten knights, men of fame and honor, to guard the
sword, and let every man that has faith in his good fortune seek to draw
it. He who is the destined monarch of England will in time appear."

New Year's day came, and no man yet had drawn the sword, though many
had adventured. For that day the barons had ordered that a stately
tournament should be held, in which all knights who desired to break a
lance for God and their ladies might take part. This was greeted with
high acclaim, and after the services of the day had ended the barons and
knights together rode to the lists, while multitudes of the citizens of
London crowded thither to witness the knightly sports. Among those who
rode were Sir Hector, a noble lord, who held domains in England and
Wales, and with him his son Sir Kay, a new-made knight, and his younger
son Arthur, a youth still too young for knighthood.

As they rode together to the lists, Kay discovered that he had forgotten
his sword, having left it behind at his father's lodging. He begged
young Arthur to ride back for it.

"Trust me to bring it," replied Arthur, readily, and turning his horse
he rode briskly back to his father's lodging in the city. On reaching
the house, however, he found it fast loc