The Hazel Green herald. [volume] (Hazel Green, Wolfe County, Ky.) 1885-19??, 1892-12-23

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trand. flushing, "but | have none to
teach me, and who shall say whether
do Alright or no?"
chatelet. "He that is willing TO learn
need never lack teachers. Come TO
me when thou wilt, and will teach
thee all ] know of that which beseem-
eth knight; warrant thou wilt not
be slow TO learn. There is my hand
ON it."
The boy took the offered hand with
n Frightening face, and thus was the
strange compact concluded.
Six years had passed since that talk
on the hilltop, and they had brought
many changes along with them. "Ugly
Bertrand was still as ugly us ever,
but Sire du Chatelet's private les
sons (the secret of which had been so
well kept that no one but their two
selves knew anything of it) had al
ready borne abundant fruit
The lad could now WELD the heaviest
lance and the longest sword as we'll as
Sir won HIMSELF the most vicious
horse could not throw him when he
was once on its back and when one
day, after many entrcaties on Ber-
trand's part, the old knight rode
against him in full charge, with lev
elcd spear, and failed even TO shake
him in his saddle, the young warrior
felt prouder and happier than II he
had been suddenly made king of
France; for he now felt that there was
something for him to do in the world,
and that he, too, might defend his
country and serve his people.
AS for his three brothers-who were
now the most renowned filters in the
the whole district-they still made fun
of him behind his back as much as
ever; but of late they had become
rather shy of laughing at him 20 his
face, and for this there was very good
reason.
One day great tournament was held
in that district; and Bertrand's three
giant brethren rode CALAMITY out to
join the muster, leaving their youngest
brother at homc-for what business
could Ugly Bertrand" have at tour
nament?
A fine picture they made in their gilt
tering armor and waving plumes, as
they pranced along the road on their
splendid horses; and beside them rode
their father, with his stout men-at-
arms at his back and his ancestral
banner floating over his head But the
old baron-who was already advanced
in years, and had had his full share of
glory-was going to the tournament
only to watch the feats of his stalwart
sons, fully expecting that these young
giants, who had never met their match
in single combat, would carry off all
the honors of the day.
His sons were quite as confident as
himself; and, when the contest began,
it seemed as if their confidence would
be fully justified. Everyone who dared
to face their lances was borne down,
horse and man, or sent flying out of his
saddle like a stone from sling.
At last no more challengers seemed
inclined To come forward, and the mar
shall of the lists-who was no other
than the duke of Brctagne himself
was beginning to think of declaring !
the sports ended, and adjudging the
prize to the eldest of the three redoubt-
able brothers, when suddenly the
blast of Il trumpet was heard from the |
far end of the course, and n single |
horscman, sheathed in complete armor,
and with his helmet closed, rode slowly
into the lists.
His appearance was greeted with a
murmur of mingled wonder and amuse-
ment-and certainly not without rea-
son-for his figure was so short and
square that he seemed to be almost as
broad as he was long. and he rode a
horse quite as clumsily shaped as him
self
But some. OF the more experienced |
lookers-on remarked that this odd |
horse was immensely powerful in spite |
of its queer looks and that its rider |
must be very strong likewise, for the |
spear and shield that he bore were so
heavy that few ordinary men could |
even have lifted them.
Then the trumpets sounded, and the |
heralds proclaimed that this unknown |
champion stood ready to meet which
ever of the three victors might first adj
vance against him. Castor, the eldest, |
hearing this, said to Raoul:
81 waste not good lance on yonder
butchers block. Go thou and smite him |
down"
Raorl rode forth with n scornful |
laugh; but ne found IT no laughing mat |
ter. They met in mid lists with ire
mendous crash, and, while the stranger
sat almost mistaken, Sir Raoul bent |
back To his horses tail, and was only |
saved from being endorsed by the burst |
ing of the laces OF his helmet, upon !