"It is a glorious day!" said Eustace. "See how they hurry to the
water." And he pointed over the low shrubs to a level space on
the bank of the river, where several fugitives, on foot and
horseback, were crowding together, and pressing hastily forward.

"Ha!" cried Sir Reginald, "the golden circlet! Henry of Trastamare
himself!" and at the same instant he sprang to the ground. "You,"
said he, "speed round the bushes, meet me at the ford they are
making for." This was directed to Gaston, and ere the last words
were spoken, both Sir Reginald and Eustace were already beginning
to hurry down the bank. Gaston rose to his full height in his
stirrups, and, looking over the wood, exclaimed, "The Eagle crest!
I must be there. On, Ashton--Ingram, this way--speed, speed, speed!"
and with these words threw himself from his horse, and dashed after
the two brothers, as they went crashing, in their heavy armour,
downwards through the boughs. In less than a minute they were on
the level ground, and Sir Reginald rushed forward to intercept Don
Enrique, who was almost close to the river. "Yield, yield, Sir
King!" he shouted; but at the same moment another Knight on foot
threw himself between, raising a huge battle-axe, and crying, "Away,
away, Sir; leave me to deal with him!" Enrique turned, entered the
river, and safely swam his horse to the other side, whilst his
champion was engaged in desperate conflict.

The Knight of Lynwood caught the first blow on his shield, and
returned it, but without the slightest effect on his antagonist,
who, though short in stature, and clumsily made, seemed to
possess gigantic strength. A few moments more, and Reginald
had fallen at full length on the grass, while his enemy was
pressing on, to secure him as a prisoner, or to seize the pennon