sold. Thus I have had a good deal of practice, and that of a rough kind;
and seeing that latterly the horses have, for the most part, found it
difficult to fling me when sitting barebacked across them, I think I could
keep my seat in the high-peaked saddles on the most vicious, but I have had
no practice at tilting, or at the ring, or other knightly exercises."

"That matters not at all," the knight said. "All these knightly exercises
which you speak of are good in time of peace, for they give proficiency and
steadiness, but in time of war he who can sit firmly in his saddle and
wield sword and battle-axe lustily and skillfully is equal to the best; but
never fear, when this expedition is over, and we have time for such things,
I will see that you are instructed in them. One who has achieved so much
martial skill as you have done at so early an age will have little
difficulty in acquiring what may be termed the pastime of chivalry."

Ralph arrived just as Walter was setting out. The latter presented him to
the knight, who spoke with praise of the gallantry which he had displayed
on the previous day, and then handed him over to John Mervaux, with
instructions to enroll him as a man-at-arms among his followers, to inform
him of his duties, and to place him with those who attended upon the other
esquires.

After seeing Ralph disposed of, Walter went across to the Earl of Talbot
and was again conducted to the presence of Dame Vernon.

"You have changed since we met last, young sir," she said with a smile,
"though it is but a month since. Then you were a 'prentice boy, now you are
an esquire of Sir Walter Manny, and on the highway to distinction. That you
will win it I am well assured, since one who risked his life to rescue a
woman and child whose very names were unknown to him is sure to turn out a