In the Court of King Arthur Read online

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  IN THE COURT OF KING ARTHUR

  by Samuel E. Lowe

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  Chapter

  I. Allan Finds A Champion

  II. Allan Goes Forth

  III. A Combat

  IV. Allan Meets The Knights

  V. Merlin's Message

  VI. Yosalinde

  VII. The Tournament

  VIII. Sir Tristram's Prowess

  IX. The Kitchen Boy

  X. Pentecost

  XI. Allan Meets A Stranger

  XII. The Stranger And Sir Launcelot

  XIII. The Party Divides

  XIV. King Mark's Foul Plan

  XV. The Weasel's Nest

  XVI. To The Rescue

  XVII. In King Mark's Castle

  XVIII. The Kitchen Boy Again

  XIX. On Adventure's Way

  XX. Gareth Battles Sir Brian

  XXI. Knight Of The Red Lawns

  XXII. Sir Galahad

  XXIII. The Beginning Of The Quest

  XXIV. In Normandy

  XXV. Sir Galahad Offers Help

  XXVI. Lady Jeanne's Story

  XXVII. Sir Launcelot Arrives

  XXVIII. A Rescue

  XXIX. Facing The East

  XXX. Homeward

  XXXI. The Beggar And The Grail

  WHO WAS KING ARTHUR?

  King Arthur, who held sway in Camelot with his Knights of the RoundTable, was supposedly a king of Britain hundreds of years ago. Most ofthe stories about him are probably not historically true, but therewas perhaps a real king named Arthur, or with a name very much likeArthur, who ruled somewhere in the island of Britain about the sixthcentury.

  Among the romantic spires and towers of Camelot, King Arthur heldcourt with his queen, Guinevere. According to tradition, he receivedmortal wounds in battling with the invading Saxons, and was carriedmagically to fairyland to be brought back to health and life.Excalibur was the name of King Arthur's sword--in fact, it was thename of two of his swords. One of these tremendous weapons Arthurpulled from the stone in which it was imbedded, after all otherknights had failed. This showed that Arthur was the proper king. Theother Excalibur was given to Arthur by the Lady of the Lake--shereached her hand above the water, as told in the story, and gave thesword to the king. When Arthur was dying, he sent one of his Knightsof the Round Table, Sir Bedivere, to throw the sword back into thelake from which he had received it.

  The Knights of the Round Table were so called because they customarilysat about a huge marble table, circular in shape. Some say thatthirteen knights could sit around that table; others say that as manyas a hundred and fifty could find places there. There sat Sir Galahad,who would one day see the Holy Grail. Sir Gawain was there, nephew ofKing Arthur. Sir Percivale, too, was to see the Holy Grail. SirLancelot--Lancelot of the Lake, who was raised by that same Lady ofthe Lake who gave Arthur his sword--was the most famous of the Knightsof the Round Table. He loved Queen Guinevere.

  All the knights were sworn to uphold the laws of chivalry--to go tothe aid of anyone in distress, to protect women and children, to fighthonorably, to be pious and loyal to their king.

  CHAPTER ONE

  Allan Finds A Champion

  "I cannot carry your message, Sir Knight."

  Quiet-spoken was the lad, though his heart held a moment's fear as,scowling and menacing, the knight who sat so easily the large horse,flamed fury at his refusal.

  "And why can you not? It is no idle play, boy, to flaunt SirPellimore. Brave knights have found the truth of this at bitter cost."

  "Nevertheless, Sir Knight, you must needs find another message bearer.I am page to Sir Percival and he would deem it no service to himshould I bear a strange knights message."

  "Then, by my faith, you shall learn your lesson. Since you are but ayouth it would prove but poor sport to thrust my sword through yourworthless body. Yet shall I find Sir Percival and make him pay for theboorishness of his page. In the meantime, take you this."

  With a sweep the speaker brought the flat side of his sword down. But,if perchance, he thought that the boy would await the blow he foundsurprise for that worthy skillfully evaded the weapon's downwardthrust.

  Now then was Sir Pellimore doubly wroth.

  "Od's zounds, and you need a trouncing. And so shall I give it you,else my dignity would not hold its place." Suiting action to word theknight reared his horse, prepared to bring the boy to earth.

  It might hare gone ill with Allan but for the appearance at the turnof the road of another figure--also on horseback. The new knightperceiving trouble, rode forward.

  "What do we see here?" he questioned. "Sir Knight, whose name I do notknow, it seems to me that you are in poor business to quarrel with soyouthful a foe. What say you?"

  "As to with whom I quarrel is no concern of anyone but myself. I can,however, to suit the purpose, change my foe. Such trouncing as I wishto give this lad I can easily give to you, Sir Knight, and you wishit?"

  "You can do no more than try. It may not be so easy as your boastingwould seeming indicate. Lad," and the newcomer turned to the boy, "whydoes this arrogant knight wish you harm?"

  "He would have me carry a message, a challenge to Sir Kay, and that Icannot do, for even now I bear a message from Sir Percival, whose pageI am but yesterday become. And I must hold true to my own lord andliege."

  "True words and well spoken. And so for you, Sir Knight of thearrogant tongue, I hope your weapon speaks equally well. Prepare you,sir."

  Sir Pellimore laughed loudly and disdainfully.

  "I call this great fortune which brings me battle with you, sir, whoare unknown but who I hope, none the less, are a true and braveknight."

  The next second the two horses crashed together. Sir Pellimore soonproved his skill. The Unknown, equally at ease, contented himself withmeeting onslaught after onslaught, parrying clever thrusts and wickedblows. So they battled for many an hour.

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

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

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

  But the Unknown had already hurled himself, weaponless, upon theseeming 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 adeep sleep.

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

  Now Allan, the boy, realized he was in the presence of the great King.He threw himself upon his knees.

  "Rise lad," said King Arthur kindly. "Sir Percival is indeed fortunateto have a page, who while so young, yet is so loyal. So shall we seeyou again. Kind Merlin," and the King turned to the Wizard, "awakenyou this sleeping knight whose only sin seems an undue amount ofsurliness and arrogance, which his bravery and strength more thanoffset."

  Now Sir Pellimore rubbed his eyes. "Where am I?" he muttered drowsily.Then as realization came, he sprang to his feet.


  "Know you then, Sir Pellimore," said Merlin, "he with whom you foughtis none other than Arthur, the King."

  The knight stood motionless, dumbfounded. But only for a moment.

  "If so, then am I prepared for such punishment as may come. But be itwhat it may, I can say this, that none with whom I fought has had moreskill or has shown greater bravery and chivalry. And more than thatnone can say."

  And the knight bowed low his head, humbly and yet with a touch ofpride.

  "Thou art a brave knight, Sir Pellimore. And to us it seems, thataside from a hasty temper, thou couldst well honor us by joining theKnights of the Round Table. What saith thou?"

  "That shall I gladly do. And here and now I pledge my loyalty to noneother than Arthur, King of Britain, and to my fellow knights. And asfor you, boy, I say it now--that my harsh tongue and temper ill becamethe true knight I claim to be."

  "Brave words, Sir Pellimore," said the King. "So let us back to thecastle. We see that Merlin is already ill at ease."