as Rosald had sworn to give him his company, he must come with
him.

Rosald was much grieved when he heard these words, but he knew
that it was useless attempting to persuade Geirald, and turned
his thoughts to forming some plan to prevent this disgraceful
flight. Suddenly his face brightened. 'Let us change clothes,'
he said, 'and I will do the fighting, while you shall get the
glory. Nobody will ever know.' And to this Geirald readily
consented.

Whether Geirald was right or not in thinking that the so-called
page was really a well-proved knight, it is certain that Rosald's
task was a very hard one. Three times they came together with a
crash which made their horses reel; once Rosald knocked the
helmet off his foe, and received in return such a blow that he
staggered in his saddle. Shouts went up from the lookers-on, as
first one and then the other seemed gaining the victory; but at
length Rosald planted his spear in the armour which covered his
adversary's breast and bore him steadily backward. 'Unhorsed!
unhorsed!' cried the people; and Rosald then himself dismounted
and helped his adversary to rise.

In the confusion that followed it was easy for Rosald to slip
away and return Geirald his proper clothes. And in these, torn
and dusty with the fight, Geirald answered the king's summons to
come before him.

'You have done what I expected you to do,' said he, 'and now,
choose your reward.'