r, which were
gilt with gold. These represented the twelve kings, and each of them
held a taper of wax, that burned night and day. An image of King Arthur
was also made, in the form of a statue that stood above the twelve kings
with a drawn sword in its hand, while the faces of the twelve images
were those of men that had been overcome. All these figures were made by
Merlin through his subtle craft.

"When I am dead," he said to the king, "these tapers shall burn no
longer. Then the end will be near, and the adventures of the Sangreal
shall be achieved."

Much more he told the king of the strange events that would come to pass
in the future time; and further he said,--

"Look well to the scabbard of Excalibur. You shall lose no blood while
you wear this scabbard, even though you be covered with wounds."

Thus admonished, Arthur, in loving trust, took the scabbard to Morgan le
Fay, his sister, and gave it into her care to keep for him. Much did he
peril in doing so, for Morgan was false at heart, and proved recreant to
her trust, from love for a knight named Accolan, whom she cherished in
her soul beyond her husband, while she had grown to hate her brother.
She made, by enchantment, another scabbard like the one given her in
trust, and gave the scabbard of Excalibur to her love. By this deed of
treachery she hoped in her false soul to bring King Arthur to his death.
And well-nigh she succeeded therein, as shall be told hereafter.

CHAPTER III.

HOW BALIN GAVE THE DOLOROUS STROKE.

A day or two after King Arthur had placed the magical scabbard in the
hands of his evil-thinking sister, he grew unwell, and had his tent
pitched in a meadow near Camelot for the benefit of the fresh air and
the green verdure. Here he sought in vain to sleep, lying long in uneasy
wakefulness. As he thus lay he heard a horse approaching, and looking
through the door of his tent, beheld a knight, who lamented deeply as he
came.

"Halt! fair sir," cried Arthur. "Tell me the cause of your sorrow."

"You can little aid me," said the knight, and he rode onward without
further answer.

Soon afterward Balin rode up, and on seeing King Arthur sprang from his
horse and saluted him.

"By my head, you are welcome," said the king. "A knight has just ridden
past here moaning sadly, but has declined to tell me the cause of his
sorrow. I desire of your courtesy to bring that knight to me, either by
force or good-will, for I wish greatly t