knight."

The next second the two horses crashed together. Sir Pellimore soon
proved his skill. The Unknown, equally at ease, contented himself with
meeting onslaught after onslaught, parrying clever thrusts and wicked
blows. So they battled for many an hour.

Allan, the boy, with eyes glistening, waited to see the outcome of the
brave fight. The Unknown, his champion, perhaps would need his aid
through some dire misfortune and he was prepared.

Now the Unknown changed his method from one of defense to one of
offense. But Sir Pellimore was none the less skillful. The third
charge of his foe he met so skillfully that both horses crashed to the
ground. On foot, the two men then fought--well and long. Until,
through inadvertence, the Unknown's foot slipped and the next moment
found his shield splintered and sword broken.

"Now then, by my guardian saint, you are truly vanquished," Sir
Pellimore exclaimed exultantly. "Say you so?"

But the Unknown had already hurled himself, weaponless, upon the
seeming victor and seizing him about the waist with mighty strength,
hurled him to the ground. And even as the fallen knight, much shaken,
prepared to arise, lo, Merlin the Wizard appeared and cast him into a
deep sleep.

"Sire," the Wizard declared, "do you indeed run many dangers that thy
station should not warrant. And yet, I know not whether we, your loyal
subjects, would have it otherwise."