le he was in this state of self-gratulation, Richard
burst into the circle, attended, indeed, only by two men, but in his own
headlong energies an irresistible host.

"Who has dared," he said, laying his hands upon the Austrian
standard, and speaking in a voice like the sound which precedes an
earthquake--"Who has dared to place this paltry rag beside the banner of
England?"

The Archduke wanted not personal courage, and it was impossible he
could hear this question without reply. Yet so much was he troubled
and surprised by the unexpected arrival of Richard, and affected by the
general awe inspired by his ardent and unyielding character, that the
demand was twice repeated, in a tone which seemed to challenge heaven
and earth, ere the Archduke replied, with such firmness as he could
command, "It was I, Leopold of Austria."

"Then shall Leopold of Austria," replied Richard, "presentry see the
rate at which his banner and his pretensions are held by Richard of
England."

So saying, he pulled up the standard-spear, splintered it to pieces,
threw the banner itself on the ground, and placed his foot upon it.

"Thus," said he, "I trample on the banner of Austria. Is there a knight
among your Teutonic chivalry dare impeach my deed?"

There was a momentary silence; but there are no braver men than the
Germans.

"I," and "I," and "I," was heard from several knights of the Duke"s
followers; and he himself added his voice to those which accepted the
King of England's defiance.

"Why do we dally thus?" said the Earl Wallenrode, a gigantic warrior
from the frontiers of Hungary. "Brethren and noble gentlemen, this man's
foot is on the honour of your country--let us rescue it from violation,
and down with the pride of England!"

So saying, he drew his sword, and struck at the King a blow which might
have proved fatal, had not the Scot intercepted and caught it upon his
shield.

"I have sworn," said King Richard--and his voice was heard above all
the tumult, which now waxed wild and loud--"never to strike one whose
shoulder bears the cross; therefore live, Wallenrode--but live to
remember Richard of England."

As he spoke, he grasped the tall Hungarian round the waist, and,
unmatched in wrestling, as in other military exercises, hurled him
backwards with such violence that the mass flew as if discharged from a
military engine, not only through the ring of spectators who witnessed
the extraordinary scene, but over the edg