Baron Conrad whirled his sword in the air, as he saw the other
coming like a thunderbolt upon him; he leaped aside, and the
lance passed close to him. As it passed he struck, and the iron
point flew from the shaft of the spear at the blow, and fell
clattering upon the stone roadway of the bridge.

Baron Henry drew in his horse until it rested upon its haunches,
then slowly reined it backward down the bridge, still facing his
foe, and still holding the wooden stump of the lance in his
hand. At the bridge-head he flung it from him.

"Another lance!" he cried, hoarsely. One was silently reached to
him and he took it, his hand trembling with rage. Again he rode
to a little distance and wheeled his horse; then, driving his
steel spurs into its quivering side, he came again thundering
down upon the other. Once more the terrible sword whirled in the
air and fell, but this time the lance was snatched to one side
and the blow fell harmlessly. The next instant, and with a
twitch of the bridle-rein, the horse struck full and fair
against the man.

Conrad of Drachenhausen was whirled backward and downward, and
the cruel iron hoofs crashed over his prostrate body, as horse
and man passed with a rush beyond him and to the bridge-head
beyond. A shout went up from those who stood watching. The next
moment the prostrate figure rose and staggered blindly to the
side of the bridge, and stood leaning against the stone wall.

At the further end of the bridge Baron Henry had wheeled his