TheHon。Samhadseenuscomingfromafarapparently，hadcomeforwardtomeetus，andhewasinhighspirits。
``IamPrinceJohnandWaldemarandalltherestof’emthisday，’’hesaid，``and`itisthus，’’’quotingSirWalter，``thatwesetthedutifulexampleofloyaltytotheQueenofLoveandBeauty，andareourselvesherguidetothethronewhichshemustthisdayoccupy。’’Andsosaying，theHon。SammarshalledtheBlighttoaseatofhonornexthisown。
``AndhowdoyouknowsheisgoingtobetheQueenofLoveandBeauty？’’askedthelittlesister。TheHon。Samwinkedatme。
``Well，thistournamentliesbetweentwogallantknights。OnewillmakehertheQueenofhisownaccord，ifhewins，andiftheotherwins，he’sgotto，orI’llbreakhishead。I’vegivenorders。’’AndtheHon。Samlookedaboutrightandleftonthepeoplewhowerehisthatday。
``Observethenoblesandladies，’’hesaid，stillfollowingSirWalter，andwavingatthetowns-peopleandvisitorsintherudegrandstand。``Observetheyeomanryandspectatorsofabetterdegreethanthemerevulgar’’——wavingatthecrowdoneithersideofthestand——``andthepromiscuousmultitudedowntheriverbanksandoverthewoodsandclingingtothetree-topsandtoyontelegraph-pole。
Andthereismyherald’’——pointingtothecornetistofthelocalband——``andwait——
bymyhalidom——pleasejustwaituntilyouseemyknightonthatblackchargero’
mine。’’
TheBlightandthelittlesisterwereconvulsedandtheHon。Samwenton：
``Lookatmymen-at-arms’’——thevolunteerpolicemenwithbulginghip-pockets，danglingbilliesandgleamingshieldsofoffice——``andatmyrefreshmenttentsbehind’’
——wherepeanutsandpinklemonadewerekeepingthemultitudebusy——``andmyattendants’’——coloredgentlemenwithspongesandwater-buckets——``thearmorersandfarriershaven’tcomeyet。Butmyknight——IgothisclothesinNewYork——
justwait——LoveofLadiesandGlorytotheBrave！’’Justthentherewasacommotiononthefreeseatsononesideofthegrandstand。Adarkystarting，inallignorance，tomountthemwasstoppedandjostlednonetoogood-naturedlybacktotheground。
``Andsee，’’musedtheHon。Sam，``inlieuofthedogofanunbelieverwehaveadarkanalogyinthatsonofHam。’’
Thelittlesisterpluckedmebythesleeveandpointedtowardtheentrance。OutsideandleaningonthefencewereMollie，thebigsister，andlittleBuck。StraightwayI
gotupandstartedforthem。Theyhungback，butIpersuadedthemtocome，andIledthemtoseatstwotiersbelowtheBlight——who，withmylittlesister，rosesmilingtogreetthemandshakehands——
muchtothewonderofthenoblesandladiescloseabout，forMolliewasinbraveanddazzlingarray，blushingfiercely，andlittleBucklookedasthoughhewoulddieofsuchconspicuousness。NoembarrassingquestionswereaskedaboutMartorDaveBranham，butInoticedthatMolliehadpurpleandcrimsonribbonsclinchedinonebrownhand。Thepurposeofthemwasplain，andIwhisperedtotheBlight：
``She’sgoingtopinthemonDave’slance。’’TheHon。Samheardme。
``Notonyourlife，’’hesaidemphatically。``Iain’ttakin’chances，’’andhenoddedtowardtheBlight。``She’sgottowin，nomatterwholoses。’’Herosetohisfeetsuddenly。
``GlorytotheBrave——they’recomin’！
Tootthathorn，son，’’hesaid；``they’recomin’，’’andthebandburstintodiscordantsoundsthatwouldhavemadethe``wildbarbaricmusic’’onthefieldofAshbysoundlikealullaby。TheBlightstifledherlaughteroverthatamazingmusicwithherhandkerchief，andeventheHon。Samscowled。
``Gee！’’hesaid；``itisprettybad，isn’tit？’’
``Heretheycome！’’
Thenoblesandladiesonthegrandstand，theyeomanryandspectatorsofbetterdegree，andthepromiscuousmultitudebegantoswayexpectantlyandoverthehillcametheknights，singlefile，gorgeousinvelvetsandincaps，withwavingplumesandwithpolishedspears，vertical，restingontherightstirrupfootandgleaminginthesun。
``Agoodlyarray！’’murmuredtheHon。Sam。
Acrowdofsmallboysgatheredatthefencebelow，andIobservedtheHon。
Sam’spocketsbulgingwithpeanuts。
``Largesse！’’Isuggested。
``Good！’’hesaid，andrisingheshouted：
``Largessy！largessy！’’scatteringpeanutsbythehandfulamongthescramblingurchins。
Downwoundtheknightsbehindthebackstandofthebase-ballfield，andthen，singlefile，infrontofthenoblesandladies，beforewhomtheydrewupandfaced，salutingwithinvertedspears。
TheHon。Samarose——histruncheonahickorystick——andinastentorianvoiceaskedthenamesofthedoughtyknightswhoweretheretowingloryforthemselvesandthefavoroffairwomen。
Notallwillbementioned，butamongthemwastheKnightoftheHolston——
Athelstanicinbuild——inblackstockings，whitenegligeeshirt，withByroniccollar，andabroadcrimsonsashtiedwithabowathisrightside。TherewastheKnightoftheGreenValley，ingreenandgold，agreenhatwithalongwhiteplume，lacerufflesathissleeves，andbucklesondancing-pumps；abonnyfatknightofMaxweltonBraes，inHighlandkiltsandaplaid；andtheKnightatLarge。
``Heoughttobecaged，’’murmuredtheHon。Sam；fortheKnightatLargeworeplum-coloredvelvet，redbase-ballstockings，heldinplacewithsafety-pins，whitetennisshoes，andaverysmallhatwithaverylongplume，andthedyewasalreadystreakinghisface。Marstonwasthelast——sittingeasilyonhisirongray。
``Andyourname，SirKnight？’’
``TheDiscarded，’’saidMarston，withsteadyeyes。IfelttheBlightstartatmysideandsidewiseIsawthatherfacewascrimson。
TheHon。Samsatdown，muttering，forhedidnotlikeMarston：
``Wenchlessspringal！’’
JustthenmyattentionwasrivetedonMollieandlittleBuck。Bothhadbeenstaringsilentlyattheknightsasthoughtheywereapparitions，butwhenMarstonfacedthemIsawBuckclutchhissister’sarmsuddenlyandsaysomethingexcitedlyinherear。Thenthemouthsofbothtightenedfiercelyandtheireyesseemedtobedartinglightningattheunconsciousknight，whosuddenlysawthem，recognizedthem，andsmiledpastthematme。AgainBuckwhispered，andfromhislipsIcouldmakeoutwhathesaid：
``Iwonderwhar’sDave？’’butMolliedidnotanswer。
``Whichisyours，Mr。Budd？’’askedthelittlesister。TheHon。Samhadleanedbackwithhisthumbsinthearm-
holesofhiswhitewaistcoat。
``Heain’tcomeyet。Itoldhimtocomelast。’’
Thecrowdwaitedandtheknightswaited——solongthattheMayorroseinhisseatsometwentyfeetawayandcalledout：
``Goahead，Budd。’’
``Youjus’waitaminute——mymanain’tcomeyet，’’hesaideasily，butfromvariousplacesinthecrowdcamejeeringshoutsfromthemenwithwhomhehadwageredandtheHon。Sambegantolookanxious。
``Iwonderwhatisthematter？’’headdedinalowertone。``IdressedhimmyselfmorethananhouragoandItoldhimtocomelast，butIdidn’tmeanforhimtowaittillChristmas——ah！’’
TheHon。Samsankbackinhisseatagain。Fromsomewherehadcomesuddenlytheblareofasolitarytrumpetthatranginechoesaroundtheamphitheatreofthehillsand，amomentlater，adazzlingsomethingshotintosightabovethemoundthatlookedlikeaballoffire，cominginmid-air。ThenewknightworeashininghelmetandtheHon。Samchuckledatthemurmurthatroseandthenhesatupsuddenly。Therewasnofaceunderthathelmet——theHon。Sam’sknightwasMASKEDandtheHon。Samslappedhisthighwithdelight。
``Bully——bully！Ineverthoughtofit——Ineverthoughtofit——bully！’’
Thiswasthrilling，indeed——buttherewasmore；thestrangeknight’sbodywascasedinaflexiblesuitofglisteningmail，hisspearpoint，whenheraiseditonhigh，shonelikesilver，andhecameonlikearadiantstar——ontheHon。Sam’scharger，white-bridled，withlongmaneandtailandblackfromtipofnosetotipofthattailasmidnight。TheHon。Samwascertainlydoingitwell。AtaslowwalkthestrangerdrewalongsideofMarstonandturnedhisspearpointdownward。
``Gawd！’’saidanolddarky。``Ku-
kluxdonecomeagain。’’And，indeed，itlookedlikeaKu-kluxmask，white，droppingbelowthechin，andwitheye-
holesthroughwhichgleamedtwobrightfires。
TheeyesofBuckandMolliewereturnedfromMarstonatlast，andopen-
mouthedtheystared。
``Hit’sthesamehoss——hit’sDave！’’
saidBuckaloud。
``Well，myLord！’’saidMolliesimply。
TheHon。Samroseagain。
``AndwhoisSirTardyKnightthathithercomeswithmaskedface？’’heaskedcourteously。Hegotnoanswer。
``What’syourname，son？’’
Thewhitemaskpuffedatthewearer’slips。
``TheKnightoftheCumberland，’’wasthelow，muffledreply。
``Makehimtakethatthingoff！’’
shoutedsomeone。
``What’shegotitonfer？’’shoutedanother。
``Idon’tknow，friend，’’saidtheHon。
Sam；``butitisnotmybusinessnorpritheethine；sincebythelawsofthetournamentaknightmayridemaskedforaspecifiedtimeoruntilaparticularpurposeisachieved，thatpurposebeing，Iwot，victoryforhimselfandformeahandfulofbyzantsfromthee。’’
``Now，goahead，Budd，’’calledtheMayoragain。``Areyougoingcrazy？’’
TheHon。Samstretchedouthisarmsoncetoloosenthemforgesture，thrusthischestout，andupliftedhischin：``Fairladies，noblesoftherealm，andgoodknights，’’hesaidsonorously，andheraisedonehandtohismouthandbehinditspokeasidetome：
``How’smyvoice——how’smyvoice？’’
``Great！’’
Hisquestionwasgenuine，forthemaskofhumorhaddroppedandthemanwastransformed。Iknewhisinnerseriousness，hisoratoricalcommandofgoodEnglish，andIknewthehabit，notuncommonamongstump-speakersintheSouth，offalling，throughhumor，carelessness，orfortheeffectofflatteringcomradeship，intoallthelingualsinsofruralspeech；butI
washardlypreparedforthesoaringflighttheHon。Samtooknow。Hestartedwithonefingerpointedheavenward：
``TheknightsaredustAndtheirgoodswordsarerast；
Theirsoulsarewiththesaints，wetrust。
``Scepticismisbutaharmlessphantominthesemightyhills。WeBELIEVEthatwiththesaintsistheGOODknight’ssoul，andif，intheradiantunknown，theeyesofthosewhohavegonebeforecanpiercethelittleshadowthatliesbetween，weknowthatthegoodknightsofoldlookgladlydownonthesegoodknightsofto-day。Foritisgoodtoberemembered。Thetirelessstrugglefornameandfamesincethesunriseofhistoryattestsit；andtheancestryworshipintheEastandtheworld-widehopeofimmortalityshowthefiercehungerinthehumansoulthatthememoryofitnotonlyshallnotperishfromthisearth，butthat，acrosstheGreatDivide，itshallliveon——neitherforgettingnorforgotten。
Youarehereinmemoryofthosegoodknightstoprovethattheageofchivalryisnotgone；thatthoughtheirgoodswordsarerust，thestainlesssoulofthemstillillumineseveryharmlessspearpointbeforemeandmakesitatorchthatshallreveal，inyourownheartsstillaflame，theircourage，theirchivalry，theirsenseofprotectionfortheweak，andthehonorinwhichtheyheldpurewomen，bravemen，andalmightyGod。
``Thetournament，somesay，goesbacktothewallsofTroy。TheformofitpassedwiththewindmillsthatDonQuixotecharged。Itiswithyoutokeepthehighspiritofitanever-burningvestalfire。Itwasadeadlyplayofold——itisaharmlessplaytoyouthisday。Buttheprowessofthegameisunchanged；fortheskilltostrikethosependentringsisnolessthanwastheskilltostrikearmor-joint，visor，orplumedcrest。Itwasofoldanexercisefordeadlycombatonthefieldofbattle；itisnolessanexercisenowtoyouforthefieldoflife——forthequickeye，thesteadynerve，andthedefthandwhichshallhelpyoustrikethemarkatwhich，outsidetheselists，youaim。Andthecrowningtriumphisstilljustwhatitwasofold——
thattothevictortheRoseofhisworld——
madebyhimtheQueenofLoveandBeautyforusall——shallgivehersmileandwithherownhandsplaceonhisbrowathornlesscrown。’’
PerfectsilencehonoredtheHon。SamuelBudd。TheMayorwasnoddingvigorousapproval，thejeeringoneskeptstill，andwhenafterthelastdeep-tonedwordpassedlikemusicfromhislipsthesilenceheldswayforalittlewhilebeforetheburstofapplausecame。Everyknighthadstraightenedinhissaddleandwaslookingverygrave。Marston’seyesneverleftthespeaker’sface，exceptonce，whentheyturnedwithanunconsciousappeal，I
thought，tothedowncastfaceofBlight——
whereatthesympatheticlittlesisterseemedclosetotears。TheKnightoftheCumberlandshiftedinhissaddleasthoughhedidnotquiteunderstandwhatwasgoingon，andonceMollie，seeingtheeyesthroughthemask-holesfixedonher，blushedfuriously，andlittleBuckgrinnedbackadelightedrecognition。TheHon。
Samsatdown，visiblyaffectedbyhisowneloquence；slowlyhewipedhisfaceandthenheroseagain。
``Yourcolors，SirKnights，’’hesaid，withacommandingwaveofhistruncheon，andonebyonetheknightsspurredforwardandeachheldhislanceintothegrandstandthatsomefaironemighttiethereonthecolorshewastowear。Marston，withoutlookingattheBlight，heldhisuptothelittlesisterandtheBlightcarelesslyturnedherfacewhilethedemuresisterwasbusywithherribbons，butInoticedthatthelittleearnexttomewastinglingredforallherbravelookofunconcern。
OnlytheKnightoftheCumberlandsatstill。
``What！’’saidtheHon。Sam，risingtohisfeet，hiseyestwinklingandhismaskofhumoronagain；``seesthismaskedspringal’’——theHon。Samseemedmuchenamoredofthatancientword——``nomaidsofairthathewillnotbegfromhertheboonofcolorsgaythathemaycarrythemtovictoryandreceivefromherhandsawreaththerefor？’’AgaintheKnightoftheCumberlandseemednottoknowthattheHon。Sam’swingedwordsweremeantforhim，sothestatesmantranslatedthemintoamutualvernacular。
``RememberwhatItoldyou，son，’’hesaid。``Holdupyo’spearheretosomeoneofthesegalsjes’liketheotherfellowsaredoin’，’’andashesatdownhetriedsurreptitiouslytoindicatetheBlightwithhisindexfinger，buttheknightfailedtoseeandtheBlight’sfacewassoindignantandsherebukedhimwithsuchaknife-likewhisperthat，humbled，theHon。Samcollapsedinhisseat，muttering：
``Thefooldon’tknowyou——hedon’tknowyou。’’
FortheKnightoftheCumberlandhadturnedtheblackhorse’sheadandwasriding，likeIvanhoe，infrontofthenoblesandladies，hiseyesburningupatthemthroughtheholesinhiswhitemask。
Againheturned，hismaskstilluplifted，andthebehaviorofthebeautiesthere，asonthefieldofAshby，wasnowhitchanged：
``Someblushed，someassumedanairofprideanddignity，somelookedstraightforwardandessayedtoseemutterlyunconsciousofwhatwasgoingon，somedrewbackinalarmwhichwasperhapsaffected，someendeavoredtoforbearsmilingandthereweretwoorthreewholaughedoutright。’’Onlynone``droppedaveiloverhercharms’’andthusnoneincurredthesuspicion，asonthatfieldofAshby，thatshewas``abeautyoftenyears’standing’’
whosemotive，gallantSirWaltersupposesindefence，however，wasdoubtless``asurfeitofsuchvanitiesandawillingnesstogiveafairchancetotherisingbeautiesoftheage。’’ButthemostconsciousofthefairwasMolliebelow，whosefacewasflushedandwhosebrownfingerswerenervouslytwistingtheribbonsinherlap，andIsawBucknudgeherandheardhimwhisper：
``Daveain’tgoingtopickYOUout，I
tellye。IheeredMr。BuddtharmyselftellhimheHADtopickoutsomeothergal。’’
``Youhush！’’saidMollieindignantly。
ItlookedasthoughtheKnightoftheCumberlandhadgrownrebelliousandmeanttochoosewhomhepleased，butonhiswaybacktheHon。Sammusthavegivenmoresurreptitioussigns，fortheKnightoftheCumberlandreinedinbeforetheBlightandhelduphislancetoher。
StraightwaythecolorsthatweremeantforMarstonflutteredfromtheKnightoftheCumberland’sspear。IsawMarstonbitehislipsandIsawMollie’sfaceaflamewithfuryandhereyesdartinglightning——nolongeratMarstonnow，butattheBlight。
ThemountaingirlheldnothingagainstthecitygirlbecauseoftheWildDog’sinfatuation，butthatherownlover，nomatterwhattheHon。Samsaid，shouldgivehishomagealsototheBlight，inherownpresence，wastoomuch。Mollielookedaroundnomore。AgaintheHon。Samrose。
``Loveofladies，’’heshouted，``splinteringoflances！Standforth，gallantknights。Faireyeslookuponyourdeeds！
Tootagain，son！’’
Nowjustoppositethegrandstandwasapostsometenfeethigh，withasmallbeamprojectingfromthetoptowardthespectators。
Fromtheendofthishungawire，theendofwhichwasslightlyupturnedinlinewiththecourse，andonthetipofthiswireasteelringaboutaninchindiameterhunglightly。Nearlyfortyyardsbelowthiswasasimilarringsimilarlyarranged；
andatasimilardistancebelowthatwasstillanother，andattheblastfromtheHon。Sam’sherald，thegallantknightsrodeslowly，twobytwo，downtheliststothewesternextremity——theDiscardedKnightandtheKnightoftheCumberland，stirruptostirrup，ridinglast——wheretheyalldrewupinline，somefiftyyardsbeyondthewesternmostpost。Thisdistancetheytookthatfullspeedmightbeattainedbeforejoustingatthefirstring，sincethecourse——muchoveronehundredyardslong——mustbecoveredinsevensecondsorless，whichwasnoslowrateofspeed。TheHon。Samaroseagain：
``TheKnightoftheHolston！’’
FartherdownthelistsaheraldtookupthesamecryandthegoodknightofAthelstanicbuildbackedhissteedfromthelineandtookhisplaceattheheadofthecourse。
WithhishickorytruncheontheHon。
Samsignedtohistrumpetertosoundtheonset。
``Now，son！’’hesaid。
WiththeblareofthetrumpetAthelstanesprangfromhisplaceandcameupthecourse，hislanceatrest；atinklingsoundandthefirstringslippeddowntheknight’sspearandwhenhesweptpastthelastposttherewasaclappingofhands，forheheldthreeringstriumphantlyaloft。
Andthustheycame，onebyone，untileachhadrunthecoursethreetimes，theDiscardedjoustingnexttothelastandtheKnightoftheCumberland，ridingwitharecklessCave，Adsumair，theverylast。Atthesecondjoustitwasquiteevidentthatthevictorylaybetweenthesetwo，astheyonlyhadnotlostasinglering，andwhentheblackhorsethunderedby，theHon。Samshouted``Bravelance！’’andjolliedhisbettingenemies，whileBuckhuggedhimselftriumphantlyandMollieseemedtemporarilytoloseherchagrinandangerinprideofherlover，Dave。OnthethirdrunningtheKnightoftheCumberlandexcitedasensationbysittingupright，wavinghislanceupanddownbetweenthepostsandloweringitonlywhentheringwaswithinafewfeetofitspoint。Hisrecklessnesscosthimonering，butastheDiscardedhadlostone，theywerestilltied，witheightringstothecreditofeach，forthefirstprize。Onlyfourotherswereleft——theKnightoftheHolstonandtheKnightoftheGreenValleytyingwithsevenringsforsecondprize，andthefatMaxweltonBraesandtheKnightatLargetyingwithsixringsforthethird。ThecrowdwaseagernowandtheHon。Samconfident。OncametheKnightatLarge，hisfacearainbow，hisplumewiltedandoneredbase-ballstockingslippedfromitsmoorings——tworings！OnfollowedthefatMaxwelton，hisplaidstreamingandhiskiltsflappingabouthisfatlegs——alsotworings！
``Egad！’’quoththeHon。Sam。``DidyonlustytrenchermanofAnnieLaurie’sbutputafewmorelayersofgoodlyfleshabouthisribs，therebyprojectingmorehisfrontalFalstaffianproportions，bymyhalidom，hewouldhavetojousttandem！’’
OncameAthelstaneandtheKnightoftheGreenValley，bothwithbuttworingstotheircredit，andonfollowedtheDiscarded，ridingeasily，andtheKnightoftheCumberlandagainwavinghislancebetweentheposts，eachwiththreeringsonhisspear。AttheendtheKnightatLargestoodthird，Athelstanesecond，andtheDiscardedandtheKnightoftheCumberlandstoodsidebysideattheheadofthecourse，stilleven，andnowreadytoendthejoust，forneitheronthesecondtrialhadmissedaring。
Theexcitementwasintensenow。ManypeopleseemedtoknowwhotheKnightoftheCumberlandwas，fortherewereshoutsof``Goit，Dave！’’fromeverywhere；therivalryofclasshadenteredthecontestandnowitwasaconflictbetweennativeand``furriner。’’TheHon。Samwasalmostbesidehimselfwithexcitement；nowandthensomemanwithwhomhehadmadeabetwouldshoutjeeringlyathimandtheHon。Samwouldshoutbackdefiance。Butwhenthetrumpetsoundedhesatleaningforwardwithhisbrowwrinkledandhisbighandsclinchedtight。Marstonspedupthecoursefirst——threerings——andtherewasachorusofapplaudingyells。
``Hishorseisgittin’tired，’’saidtheHon。Samjubilantly，andtheBlight’sface，Inoticed，showedforthefirsttimefainttracesofindignation。TheKnightoftheCumberlandwastakingnotheatricalchancesnowandhecamethroughthecoursewithlevelspearand，withthreeringsonit，heshotbylikeathunderbolt。
``Hooray！’’shoutedtheHon。Sam。
``Lord，whatahorse！’’ForthefirsttimetheBlight，Iobserved，failedtoapplaud，whileMolliewasclappingherhandsandBuckwasgivingoutshrillyellsofencouragement。AtthenexttilttheHon。
SamhadhiswatchinhishandandwhenhesawtheDiscardeddigginginhisspurshebegantosmileandhewaslookingathiswatchwhenthelittletinkleinfronttoldhimthatthecoursewasrun。
``Didheget’emall？’’
``Yes，hegot’emall，’’mimickedtheBlight。
``Yes，an’hejustdidmakeit，’’chuckledtheHon。Sam。TheDiscardedhadwheeledhishorseasidefromthecoursetowatchhisantagonist。Helookedpaleandtired——almostastiredashisfoam-coveredsteed——buthisteethweresetandhisfacewasunmovedastheKnightoftheCumberlandcameonlikeademon，sweepingoffthelastringwithalow，raspingoathofsatisfaction。
``IneverseedDaveridethat-a-wayafore，’’saidMollie。
``Me，neither，’’chimedinBuck。
Thenoblesandladieswerewavinghandkerchiefs，clappinghands，andshouting。
Thespectatorsofbetterdegreewerethrowinguptheirhatsandfromeverypartofthemultitudethesamehoarseshoutofencouragementrose：
``Goit，Dave！HoorayforDave！’’
whiletheboyonthetelegraph-polewasseentoclutchwildlyatthecrossbaronwhichhesat——hehadcomeneartumblingfromhisperch。
Thetwoknightsrodeslowlybacktotheheadofthelists，wheretheDiscardedwasseentodismountandtightenhisgirth。
``He’stryin’togittimetorest，’’saidtheHon。Sam。``Toot，son！’’
``Shame！’’saidthelittlesisterandtheBlightbothatoncesoseverelythattheHon。Samquicklyraisedhishand。
``Holdon，’’hesaid，andwithhandstillupliftedhewaitedtillMarstonwasmountedagain。``Now！’’
TheDiscardedcameon，usinghisspurswitheveryjump，theredofhishorse’snostrilsshowingthatfaraway，andheswepton，spearingofftheringswithdeadlyaccuracyandholdingthethreealoft，buthavingnoneedtopullinhispantingsteed，whostoppedofhisownaccord。Upwentaroar，buttheHon。Sam，covertlyglancingathiswatch，stillsmiled。ThatwatchhepulledoutwhentheKnightoftheCumberlandstartedandhesmiledstillwhenheheardtheblackhorse’sswift，rhythmicbeatandhelookeduponlywhenthatknight，shoutingtohishorse，movedhislanceupanddownbeforecomingtothelastringand，withadare-devilyell，sweptitfromthewire。
``Tied——tied！’’wastheshout；``they’vegottotryitagain！they’vegottotryitagain！’’
TheHon。Samrose，withhiswatchinonehandandstillingthetumultwiththeother。Deadsilencecameatonce。
``Ifearme，’’hesaid，``thatthegoodknight，theDiscarded，hasfailedtomakethecourseinthetimerequiredbythelawsofthetournament。’’BedlambrokelooseagainandtheHon。Samwaited，stillgesturingforsilence。
``Summonthetime-keeper！’’hesaid。
Thetime-keeperappearedfromthemiddleofthefieldandnodded。
``Eightseconds！’’
``TheKnightoftheCumberlandwins，’’
saidtheHon。Sam。
Thelittlesister，unconsciousofherownsadface，nudgedmetolookattheBlight——thereweretearsinhereyes。
Beforethegrandstandtheknightsslowlydrewupagain。Marston’shorsewassolameandtiredthathedismountedandletadarkyboyleadhimundertheshadeofthetrees。Buthestoodonfootamongtheotherknights，hisarmsfolded，wornoutandvanquished，buttakinghisbittermedicinelikeaman。IthoughttheBlight’seyeslookedpityinglyuponhim。
TheHon。Samarosewithacrownoflaurelleavesinhishand：
``Youhavefairlyandgallantlywon，SirKnightoftheCumberland，anditisnowyourrighttoclaimandreceivefromthehandsoftheQueenofLoveandBeautythechapletofhonorwhichyourskillhasjustlydeserved。Advance，SirKnightoftheCumberland，anddismount！’’
TheKnightoftheCumberlandmadenomovenorsound。
``Getoffyo’hoss，son，’’saidtheHon。
Samkindly，``andgetdownonyo’kneesatthefeetofthemsteps。ThisfairyoungQueenisa-goin’toputthischapletonyourshinin’brow。Thathorse’llstand。’’
TheKnightoftheCumberland，afteramoment’shesitation，threwhislegoverthesaddleandcametothestepswithaslouchinggaitandlookingabouthimrightandleft。TheBlight，blushingprettily，tookthechapletandwentdownthestepstomeethim。
``Unmask！’’Ishouted。
``Yes，son，’’saidtheHon。Sam，``takethatragoff。’’
ThenMollie’svoice，clearandloud，startledthecrowd。``Youbetternot，DaveBranham，ferifyoudoandthisothergalputsthatthingonyou，you’llnever——’’Whatpenaltyshewasgoingtoinflict，Idon’tknow，fortheKnightoftheCumberland，halfkneeling，sprangsuddenlytohisfeetandinterruptedher。
``Waitaminute，willye？’’hesaidalmostfiercely，andatthesoundofhisvoiceMollierosetoherfeetandherfaceblanched。
``LordGod！’’shesaidalmostinanguish，andthenshedroppedquicklytoherseatagain。
TheKnightoftheCumberlandhadgonebacktohishorseasthoughtogetsomethingfromhissaddle。Likelightninghevaultedintothesaddle，andastheblackhorsesprangtowardtheopeningtorehismaskfromhisface，turnedinhisstirrups，andbrandishedhisspearwithayellofdefiance，whileadozenvoicesshouted：
``TheWildDog！’’Thenwasthereanuproar。
``Goddlemighty！’’shoutedtheHon。
Sam。``Ididn’tdoit，IswearIdidn’tknowit。He’strickedme——he’strickedme！Don’tshoot——youmighthitthathoss！’’
TherewasnodoubtabouttheHon。
Sam’sinnocence。Insteadofturningoveranoutlawtothepolice，hehadbroughthimintotheinnershrineoflawandorderandheknewwhatapoliticalassetforhisenemiesthatinsultwouldbe。AndtherewasnodoubtoftheinnocenceofMollieandBuckastheystood，MolliewringingherhandsandBuckwithopenmouthandstartledface。TherewasnodoubtabouttheinnocenceofanybodyotherthanDaveBranhamandthedare-devilKnightoftheCumberland。
MarstonhadclutchedattheWildDog’sbridleandmissedandtheoutlawstrucksavagelyathimwithhisspear。Nobodydaredtoshootbecauseofthescatteringcrowd，buteveryknightandeverymountedpolicemantookoutaftertheoutlawandthebeatingofhoofspoundedoverthelittlemoundandtowardPoplarHill。
Marstonrantohishorseattheupperend，threwhissaddleon，andhesitated——therewereenoughaftertheWildDogandhishorsewasblown。HelistenedtotheyellsandsoundsofthechaseencirclingPoplarHill。TheoutlawwasmakingforLee。
Allatoncetheyellsandhoof-beatsseemedtosoundnearerandMarstonlistened，astonished。TheWildDoghadwheeledandwascomingback；hewasgoingtomakefortheGap，wheresuresafetylay。
Marstonbuckledhisgirthandashesprangonhishorse，unconsciouslytakinghisspearwithhim，theWildDogdashedfromthetreesatthefarendofthefield。AsMarstonstartedtheWildDogsawhim，pulledsomethingthatflashedfromunderhiscoatofmail，thrustitbackagain，andbrandishinghisspear，hecame，fullspeedandyelling，upthemiddleofthefield。Itwasastrangethingtohappeninthesemoderndays，butMarstonwasanofficerofthelawandwasbetweentheWildDogandtheFordandlibertythroughtheGap，intothehills。TheWildDogwasanoutlaw。
ItwasMarston’sdutytotakehim。
Thelawdoesnotprescribewithwhatweaponthelawlessshallbesubdued，andMarston’sspearwastheonlyweaponhehad。Moreover，theWildDog’syellwasachallengethatsethisbloodafireandthegirlbothlovedwaslookingon。Thecrowdgatheredthemeaningofthejoust——
theknightswerecrashingtowardeachotherwithspearsatrest。Therewereafewsurprisedoathsfrommen，afewlowcriesfromwomen，andthendeadsilenceinwhichthesoundofhoofsonthehardturfwaslikethunder。TheBlight’sfacewaswhiteandthelittlesisterwasgrippingmyarmwithbothhands。Athirdhorsemanshotintoviewoutofthewoodsattightangles，tostopthem，anditseemedthatthethreehorsesmustcrashtogetherinaheap。WithamoantheBlightburiedherfaceonmyshoulder。Sheshiveredwhenthemuffledthudofbodyagainstbodyandthesplinteringofwoodrenttheair；achorusofshrieksaroseabouther，andwhensheliftedherfrightenedfaceMarston，theDiscarded，waslimpontheground，hishorsewasstaggeringtohisfeet，andtheWildDogwasgallopingpasther，hishelmetgleaming，hiseyesablaze，histeethset，thehandleofhisbrokenspearclinchedinhisrighthand，andbloodstreamingdowntheshoulderoftheblackhorse。Sheheardtheshotsthatweresentafterhim，sheheardhimplungeintotheriver，andthenshesawandheardnomore。
VIII
THEKNIGHTPASSES
AtelegramsummonedtheBlightahomenextday。Marstonwasinbedwitharaggedwoundintheshoulder，andItookhertotellhimgood-by。Ilefttheroomforafewminutes，andwhenI
camebacktheirhandswereunclasping，andforaDiscardedKnighttheengineersurelyworeahappythoughpallidface。
ThatafternoonthetrainonwhichwelefttheGapwasbroughttoasuddenhaltinWildcatValleybyapieceofredflanneltiedtotheendofastickthatwasplantedmidwaythetrack。Acrossthetrack，fartheron，layaheavypieceoftimber，anditwasplainthatsomebodymeantthat，justatthatplace，thetrainmuststop。TheBlightandIwereseatedontherearplatformandtheBlightwastakingalastlookatherbelovedhills。
Whenthetrainstartedagain，therewasacrackingoftwigsoverheadandashowerofrhododendronleavesandflowersdroppedfromtheairatthefeetoftheBlight。Andwhenwepulledawayfromthehigh-walledcutwesaw，motionlessonalittlemound，ablackhorse，andonhim，motionless，theKnightoftheCumberland，thehelmetonhishead（thattheBlightmightknowwhohewas，nodoubt），andbothhandsclaspingthebrokenhandleofhisspear，whichrestedacrossthepommelofhissaddle。ImpulsivelytheBlightwavedherhandtohimandIcouldnothelpwavingmyhat；buthesatlikeastatueand，likeastatue，saton，simplylookingafterusaswewerehurriedalong，untilhorse，brokenshaft，andshoulderssankoutofsight。AndthuspassedtheKnightoftheCumberlandwiththelastgleamthatstruckhishelmet，spear-like，fromtheslantingsun。
