King Aravigo had placed Barsinan in the van with two thousand Knights, and as soon as it was light enough the two armies attacked each other, with so fierce an encounter that many were overthrown. Barsinan broke his lance, and laid hand to his sword, and dealt his blows around like a brave man who was in great anger. Norandel who was among the foremost met an uncle of Barsinan who had governed the land during his minority, and he smote him so rudely that the lance went through shield and breast-plate and came out between his shoulders, and he fell dead. King Cildadan also and Don Guilan and King Arban played their part so well, that the host of Barsinan would have been discomfited if Arcalaus had not advanced to their succour. Though he had lost half of his right hand by a stroke which Amadis had given him when he was called Beltenebros, he had now by practice learnt to use the left as well; and at his coming Barsinan and his company took heart again, and many of King Lisuarte's Knights were slain, or badly wounded, or overthrown. Great deeds in arms did Arcalaus then atchieve, like one who was valiant and strong, and at that hour you might have seen wonders done by King Cildadan, and Norandel, and Don Guilan, and Cendil of Ganota; for they were the shield and rampart of the army; but all would have been of no avail, for the enemies were so many and fresh, if King Lisuarte, who never in any danger, how great soever, failed to do his duty, had not advanced; he, desirous rather to die than fail in his devoir, pricked forward before his men. The first man whom he met was brother to that Alumas, the cousin of Dardan, whom Florestan slew by the Fountain of the Elms; him he thrust through with his lance; and his Knights in like manner gave the enemy so hot a charge as made them give back. The King laid hand to sword, and gave such blows that no man who received one of them full had ever need of a surgeon. In that hour he was so enraged, that having no regard to danger, he thrust himself among the thickest of the enemy. Arcalaus had before procured information of what arms he wore, that he might know him in the field and do him the worst hurt he could, for this was his custom; and when he saw him advanced thus far before his men, he went to Barsinan, and said, Your enemy is before you, if you slay him the business is done; do you not see what King Lisuarte is doing? Barsinan then took ten Knights, and crying out to Arcalaus, Now have at him! and he or we shall perish! they beset the King on all sides, and beat him from his horse. Now Filispinel and the twenty Knights who had gone with him to spy the enemy, had promised to keep company in the battle, and he seeing the King fall, exclaimed, O Sirs, now is the time to die with the King! They forced their way up to him, and found that two Knights were grappling with him, who had thrown themselves on him before he could rise, and that they had forced his sword from him. At this they