The champion. (Arcadia, Fla.) 1895-1911, 1906-07-12
loosenod The great sword IN lie scab-


toward each other like living bolts Of
steel. Hollow rang the hoofs Of the
horses upon the stonework, swlfter
and Bwlfter they few lower and low.
er bent the knights upon their sad.
dles. Now they were near, and now
they met. The spears seemed to shlyer,
the horses TO hustle together on the
narrow way and overhang It's edge,
then on came the black horse toward
the inner city, and on sped Smoke to.
ward the farther gulf.
"They have passed. They have pass
cdr roared the multitude.
Look! Lozelle approached, Keeling in
HIS saddle, as well he might, for the
helm was torn from his head and blood
ran from his skull where the lance had
graEed II.
Soldiers caught the horse and turned
H.
Another helml" cried Lozelle.
NAY" answered sinan; "yonder
knight has lost his shield. New lances
that is ALL"
80 they gave him a fresh lance, and
presently, at the blast Of the trumpets,
again the horses were seen speeding to-
gether over the narrow way. They
met, and, To- Lozelle, torn from bis sad
die, but still cllnglng to the reins, was
flung backward far backward, to fall
on the stonework Of the bridge. Down,
too, beneath the mighty sshOck went
his black horse, huddled heap, AMI
lay there struggling
"Wulf will fall over himp cried ROs-
amund But Smoke did not fall The
stallion gathered itself tOgether-the
moonlight shone so clear that every
watcher saw lt--and, since stop 1t could
not, Ieaped straight over the fallen
black horse-aye and over the rider
beyOnd-and sped on In It's stride. Then
the black found its feet again and gal
lOped forward to the farther gate, and
Lozelle also found his feet and turned
to run.
"standl Stand, cowardp' yelled TO-
600 voices, and, hearing them, he drew
his sword and stood.
Within three great strides Wulf drag
ged his charger to Its launches, then
wheeled It round.
Charge hlmp shouted the multitude
But Wulf remained seated, as though
unwilling to attack horseless man.
Next he sprang from his saddle and, ac-
companied by his horse Smoke. which
followed him as q dog follows lts mas
ter. walked slowly toward LOzelle, as
he walked casting away his lance and
drawing the great cross hilted sword.
Wulf had no shield and Lozelle had
no belm-the fight was even. They
crouched opposite each other, the
swords flashed aloft In the moonlight;
from far away came the distant clank
OF steel, a soft, continual clamor OF Iron
on iron, A blow fell on Wulfs mail,
who had naukht wherewlth to guard
himself, and he staggered back. An
other blow, another and another, and
hack still back, he reeled-back to the
edge of the bridge, back till he struck
the horse that stood behind him, and,
resting there moment, as It seemed
; regalned his balance.
Then there was a change. LOOK ne
: rushed forward, welding the great
blade in both hands. The stroke lit
mon Lozelles shield and seemed to
shear II in two, for in that stiffness all
could hear the clang Of Its upper half
as Il fell upon the stones. Yes, now II
was L,ozelle who rocked and relied
ave, by st. Cloud, Lozelle who went
down beneath that mighty blow which
missed the head but fell upon bis
shoulder. and lay there like a log TIL
presently the moonlight shone upon his
mailed hand stretched upward In a
prayer for mercy. From housetop and
terrace wall, from soaring gates and
battlements, the multitude Of the PEG
pie of the assassins gathered on either
side the gulf broke into a roar That
beat up the mountain sides Ike a
voice Of thunder, and the roar shaped
Itself to these words:
, "Kin him! XIII him! XIII hlmV
sInan held up his hand, and sudden
silence fell. Then be, too, screamed IN
his thin voice:
xii him! He ls conqueredP'
/ But the great wulf only leaned upon
! the cross handle Of his brand and look
: ed at the fallen foe. Presently be
seemed to speak with him; then Lo'
zelle lifted the blade that lay beside
! him and gave It to him in token OF
} surrender. Wulf handled 1t awhile
shook It on high In triumph and whirl
4 ed IL about his head till 1t shone In the
, moonlight. Next, with q shout, he cast
! Il from him far into the gulf.
Now, taking no more heed OF th'
/ conquered knight, Wulf turned ana be
gan to walk toward his horse.