Then did he follow the maiden to a river's brink, near to where, as
tradition still reports, now stand the Knott Mills. Having mounted her
before him on his steed, she pointed out a path over the ford, beyond
which he soon espied the castle, a vast and stately building of rugged
stone, like a huge crown upon the hill-top, which presented a gentle
ascent from the stream.

Now did Sir Lancelot alight, as well to assist his companion as to
bethink himself what course to pursue; but the damsel showed him a high
tree, about a stone's-throw from the ditch before the castle, whereon
hung a goodly array of accoutrements, with many fair and costly shields,
on which were displayed a variety of gay and fanciful devices. These
were the property of the knights then held in durance by Sir Tarquin.
Below them all hung a copper basin, on which was carved in Latin the
following inscription, translated thus--

"Who valueth not his life a whit,
Let him this magic basin hit."

This so enraged Sir Lancelot that he drove at the vessel violently with
his spear, piercing it through and through, so vigorous was the assault.
The clangour was loud, and anxiously did the knight await for some reply
to his summons. Yet there was no answer, nor was there any stir about
the walls or outworks. It seemed as though Sir Tarquin was his own
castellan, skulking here alone, like the cunning spider watching for his
prey.

Silence, with her vast and unmoving wings, appeared to brood over the
place; and echo, that gave back their summons from the walls, seemed to