Both knights thereupon inclined their heads, with their long waving plumes, in token of consent; and Hernandez, with grave dignity, took his place again beside the Count. A deep stillness prevailed through the assembly, yet it lasted but for a moment; for there was heard from all sides a great flourish of trumpets; the spectators all trembled, and both knights urged forward their foaming highspirited horses. In the middle of the battle-field, they struck together with such a frightful clash, that the noise even overpowered that of the trumpets, and, like two gigantic statues, the silver-grey and the light-brown charger stood opposite to each other, both on their hind-legs, and pawing in the air with their fore-hoofs, in order to regain their equipoise after that terrible shock, by which the lances on both sides had been shivered in pieces, and strewed over the battle-ground. The riders sat firmly, both leaning forwards, and spurring their horses; but, after a brief space of uncertain motion, both of them, being unable to regain their proper position, fell backwards with a great crash upon the sand. A cry of horror now sounded from the balcony, and was echoed by all the spectators. But ere the cry had ceased, and before the horses had risen from the ground, both knights had disengaged themselves, and ran with swords drawn towards the place where the Count Alessandro de Vinciguerra was stationed with the ring. Each perceiving, however, that his opponent was ready to prevent him from obtaining it, they stood looking for a space at each other, then grasped their swords firmly, and went, with measured steps, back to the place where they had fallen, and where their shields yet lay upon the ground. At the same moment each had seized on his glittering targe; while their horses, having now raised themselves up, watchfully followed every movement. It was mournful, however, to behold how Sir Folko’s silver-grey charger, severely wounded on the shoulder, struggled vainly with his lameness; snorting and neighing as he had done at the commencement of the battle, and thus proving, that though his activity were lost, he retained yet all his courage and attachment. Observing this, Sir Otto, who would by no means take advantage of his adversary, said, with a look of compassion for the poor steed,--“Noble Sir, shall we not rather desire our horses to be led away?” With a courteous and thankful salutation, Sir Folko replied,--“Be it according to your pleasure. Your conduct here is indeed such as from the beginning I had expected of you.” So the horses were led out of the lists.