And then like lightning Arthur leaped upon the knight, clasped him round the middle and threw him to the ground. But the knight was a powerful man, and throwing Arthur off he hurled him to the ground, struck off his helm and raised his sword to behead the king. All the time Merlin had stood and watched the fray, but when he saw the deadly peril in which Arthur lay, he called out, "Knight, hold your hand! If you slay this knight you put this kingdom in the greatest peril, for this is a more worshipful knight than you dream of." "Why, who is he?" asked the knight. "It is King Arthur," Merlin replied. Then was the knight fearful of the vengeance of the King, if he should survive the encounter. He raised his sword again and would have killed Arthur as he lay, but Merlin cast an enchantment over him and he fell into a deep sleep. The magician caught up the king and rode forth on the knight's horse. "Alas!" said Arthur, "what have you done, Merlin? Have you slain this good knight by your crafts? There is no braver knight in the world than he was. I would give half my kingdom if he were alive again." "Do not trouble yourself," replied Merlin. "He is in less danger than you are, for he lies asleep and will awake whole and refreshed in three hours. I told you how powerful a knight he was, and you would have certainly been slain here if I had not been by to help. This same knight shall live to do you great service." "Who is the knight?" asked Arthur. "It is King Pellinore; and he shall have two sons, both of whom shall be good men; and one shall have no equal in strength, courage and goodness." IV. ARTHUR GETS EXCALIBUR After his battle with King Pellinore, Arthur was three days with a hermit, who by magic salves healed him of his wounds and set him again upon his way. As they rode along, Arthur turned to Merlin and said, "Behold, I have no sword." "That does not matter," replied Merlin; "there is a good sword near here that shall be yours if I can get it for you." They turned aside and rode till they came to a beautiful little lake, now quiet in the afternoon light. As Arthur looked he saw in the middle of the lake an arm clothed in white samite, "mystic, wonderful," stretched up and holding in its hand a flashing sword. "Lo!" said Merlin. "Yonder is the sword of which I spoke." As Arthur looked he saw a fair maid coming toward him over the water. "What damsel is that?" he inquired of Merlin. "That is the Lady of the Lake," answered the magician. "Speak kindly to her and ask her to give you the sword." As the beautiful maid came nearer she saluted Arthur and he returned the courtesy. "Damsel," said Arthur, "what rich sword is that which yonder hand holds above the water? I would it were mine, for I have no sword." [Illustration: ARTHUR RECEIVES EXCALIBUR] "That is my sword, Excalibur," answered the maid, "and I will give it to you if you will give me a gift when I ask it."