that I am neither a slothful nor unpractised knight; for only
thus can your behaviour be excused, which otherwise must be
deemed most unmannerly. Are you ready?"

With these words he moved towards the door; the Bohemian
knight followed, smiling scornfully; while Froda was full of
care for his young and slender companion, although his honour
was so dear to him that he could in no way interpose.

But it soon appeared how needless were the northman's fears.
With equal vigour and address did Edwald assault his gigantic
adversary, so that to look upon, it was almost like one of
those combats between a knight and some monster of the forest,
of which ancient legends tell. The issue, too, was not
unlike. While the Bohemian was collecting himself for a
decisive stroke Edwald rushed in upon him, and, with the force
of a wrestler, cast him to the ground. But he spared his
conquered foe, helped him courteously to rise, and then turned
to mount his own steed. Soon after he and Froda left the
hostelry, and once more their journey led them on the same
path as before.

"From henceforth this gives me pleasure," said Froda, pointing
with satisfaction to their common road. "I must own to you,
Edchen"--he had accustomed himself, in loving confidence, to
call his young friend by that childlike name--"I must own to
you that hitherto, when I have thought that you might perhaps
be journeying with me to the tournament held in honour of the
fair Hildegardis, a heaviness came over my heart. Your noble
knightly spirit I well knew, but I feared lest the strength of