"Never mind," said the widow. "Mark what I say. Barney will play some trick on the knights." "Look yonder!" exclaimed Tom Seddon. "Oh, splendid!" cried Ida. "Who is he?" asked Rosabel. "The governor of the State," said Toney. "What a noble horse he is riding!" said Rosabel. "And what a beautiful uniform he has on!" said Ida. "Who is the fat man riding on his right?" asked Rosabel. "The adjutant-general," said Toney. "And these other gentlemen?" asked Ida. "His military staff," said Toney. The governor and his staff, in gorgeous uniforms and magnificently mounted, rode over the ground, and halting in front of the knights, who were standing in a line, each by the side of his steed, his Excellency addressed them in a brief but eloquent and impressive speech. He told them that this was a great occasion, and that the eyes of fair women and brave men were fixed upon them; and urged them to comport themselves as chivalrous and valiant knights. His Excellency, amidst loud applause, then retired to the extremity of the lists, where he gracefully sat on his horse, a few paces in advance of his staff, with the adjutant-general on his right. The valiant champions now proceeded to mount. It devolved on Richard to make the first tilt at the ring. The Marshal blew a trumpet, and exclaimed, in a loud voice, "_Preux chevaliers! faites vous devoirs!_" Richard leveled his pole and was about to make an impetuous charge at the ring, when Old Whitey began to kick up behind, and becoming unmanageable, ran off in the direction of the governor and his staff. Richard still held his pole horizontally, and had not his Excellency skillfully handled his horse, he would have been hurled from his saddle. As it was, the unfortunate adjutant-general received the shock. The end of the pole struck him fair on the breast, and down he went in the dust; for who could withstand the terrible charge of Richard the Lion-hearted? Having unhorsed the adjutant-general, on went the indomitable Richard, scattering the crowds, until he suddenly left the lists, and was seen dashing down the road, with his pole still poised, and his horse kicking up his heels and casting clouds of dust behind him. Just then Ida uttered a shriek as Love was thrown over the head of his horse and fell at her feet. "Pick Love up!" exclaimed the widow. "Oh--oh--oh, mercy!" screamed Rosabel, as Bliss came charging towards her; and his horse, rearing and kicking, hurled the rider over his head and almost deposited Bliss in the young lady's lap. "Look out for Dove, ladies!" exclaimed Toney, as Dove took flight from the back of his horse and fell at the feet of the fair candidates for the crown. "Gracious heavens! look yonder!" cried the widow. All eyes were turned in the direction indicated.