The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-10-30
CHAPTER xx1v-Conllnued.

"IIe Is now ready, SIRE" he said, "albelt
hts destrier has Travelled many miles this
day. and fast for We were In fear lest
we come too late for the jousting."
aye have Indeed como too iate,'' said
4 the prince, SEEING that the prize is about
to be awarded: yet l doubt not that one
! OF these gentlemen will run course for
tho sake OF honor With this cavalier Of
France"
3'.And as to the prize sire" duotll Sir
Nigel. II am suro that speak for all
when say this French knight hath our
leave to Bear 1t away with him II he
can fairly win it,
Bear word OF this to your master" scid
tho prince. 'nnd ask him which OF these
FIVE Inglishmen he would desire to meet.
| But stay: your master bears no coat
armor, and We havo not yet heard his
ramo." IA.
my master. sire, is under vow to the
Virgin neither to reveal his name nor to
open his vizor until he is back upon
French ground once more"
"Yet what assurance have we" said
the prince, that this is not some varlet
masquerading in his masters harness, or
some caitifr knight. tho very touch OF
whose lance night bring intamy upon
an honorable gentleman 2"
| 1T Is not SO, SIRE cried Sthe squire
earnestly. There Is no man upon earth
who would dernenn himself by breaking
a lance with my mas ter"
"You speak out boldly, SQUIRE the
prince answered: but unless T have
some further assurance OF your masters
noble birth and gentlo name cannot
match the choicest lances Of my court
against him.
"You refuse, sire7"
II do refuse
"Then. sire. Wis hidden to ask you
from my master whether you would con-
Gent II Sir John Chandos. upon hearing
my masters name, should assure you that
he was indeed q man with whom you
might yourself CROSS swords without In.
dignity
II ask no better" said the prince.
Then must ask. Lord Chandos. that
you will step forth. have your pledge
that the name shall remain ever q secret,
and that you will neither say nor write
one word which might betray IT.. The
name ls---'' He stopped down from his
horse and whispered something into the
old knights ear which made him start
with surprise, and stare with much curl
osity at the distant knight. who was sit
ting his charger at tho further end Of
tho arena. @
.Yls this Indeed sooth?"' he exclaimed.
'It is my lord. and swear It by ST.
Ives OF Brittany"
II might have known IT," said Chan
dos, twisting his moustache, and still
looking thoughtfully at the cavalier.
What then. Sir John?" asked the
prince.
5"sire, this is a knight whom 1t Is IN.
deed great honor to meet. and would
that your grace would grant me leave
to send my squire for my harnes. foF
would dearly love TO run q course with
him.
. "Nay, nay. Sir John, you have gained
as much honor as ono man can bear
and it were hard II you could not rest
now. But j pray you. squire. to tell
your master that he Is very welcome TO
our court, and that wines and spices will
be served him II he would refresh him
self before Joustng."
"My master will not drink" said the
squire.
Get him then name the gentleman with
whom no would break spear.
'.FIe would contend with these five
as suit him best
"I perceive" said tho prince, that
your master Is man Of great heart and
high enterprise But the sun already
is low in the west. and there Eill scarce
be light for these courses. pray you,
gentlemen. to take your places, that we
,nny see whether this strangers deeds
are as bold as his words.
The unknown knight had sat Ike q
statue OF steel, looking neither To INC
right nor to left during these prelinl.
naries. He had changed from the horse
upon which he had ridden and bcstrode
the black charger which his squire had led
beside him His Immense breadth. his stern
composed appearance and the lnodc III
which he handled his shield and his lance,
were enough In themselves to convince
the thousands OF critical spectators that
lie was q dangerous opponent. Ay!-
ward who stood In the front row OF the
archers with Simon. big John. and others
OF the company, had been crticislng the
proceedings from the commencement win
the case and freedom OF q man who had
spent his life under arms and had learned
lin a hard school to know az a glance
tho points Of a horse and his rider. lie
stared now at the stranger with
wrinkled brow and tho air Of man VINO
Is striving to stir his memory.
dBy my hilt! have seen the thick
body OF him before to-day. Yet cannot
call to mind where 1t could have been.
At Nogent belize, or was II at Auray!,
Mark me- lads, this man VIII prove 10
bo ono OF the best lances of France, and
there are no better In the world.
ut Is but child's play, this poking
game said John. II would fain try my
hand at it, for by the black rood! 1
think 1t might be amended.
What then would you do John ask
ed several.
be done" said the forester thoughtfuliy,
''Methinks that would begin by break
ing my spear"
$50 they all strive to do"
NAY, but not upon another mans
shield, / would break IT over my own
knee"
"And what the better for that old
beef and bones?" asked Black Simon,
$50 / would turn what is but n ludy's
bodkln OF a weapon into a very hand
some club
"And then. John?"
"rhen would take tho others spear
into my arm or my leg, or where 1t
nlaa srd him hest to nut It., and would