“No,” answered Balin, “I will keep it till it is taken from me by force.” “It is for your sake, not mine, that I ask for it,” said the damsel, “for with that sword you shall slay the man you love best, and it will bring about your own ruin.” “I will take what befalls me,” replied Balin, “but the sword I will not give up, by the faith of my body.” So the damsel departed in great sorrow. The next day Sir Balin left the Court, and, armed with his sword, set forth in search of adventures, which he found in many places where he had not thought to meet with them. In all the fights that he fought, Sir Balin was the victor, and Arthur, and Merlin his friend, knew that there was no Knight living of greater deeds, or more worthy of worship. And he was known to all as Sir Balin le Savage, the Knight of the two swords. One day he was riding forth when at the turning of a road he saw a cross, and on it was written in letters of gold, “Let no Knight ride towards this castle.” Sir Balin was still reading the writing when there came towards him an old man with white hair, who said, “Sir Balin le Savage, this is not the way for you, so turn again and choose some other path.” And so he vanished, and a horn blew loudly, as a horn is blown at the death of a beast. “That blast,” said Balin, “is for me, but I am still alive,” and he rode to the castle, where a great company of knights and ladies met him and welcomed him, and made him a feast. Then the lady of the castle said to him, “Knight with the two swords, you must now fight a Knight that guards an island, for it is our law that no man may leave us without he first fight a tourney.” [Illustration: The Damsel Warns Sir Balin.] “That is a bad custom,” said Balin, “but if I must I am ready; for though my horse is weary my heart is strong.” “Sir,” said a Knight to him, “your shield does not look whole to me; I will lend you another;” so Balin listened to him and took the shield that was offered, and left his own with his own coat of arms behind him. He rode down to the shore, and led his horse into a boat which took them across. When he reached the other side, a damsel came to him crying, “O knight Balin, why have you left your own shield behind you? Alas! you have put yourself in great danger, for by your shield you should have been known. I grieve over your doom, for there is no man living that can rival you for courage and bold deeds.” “I repent,” answered Balin, “ever having come into this country, but for very shame I must go on. Whatever befalls me, either for life or death, I am ready to take it.” Then he examined his armour, and saw that it was whole, and mounted his horse.