Ivanhoe, Ch. 12

People hurried to get seats to watch the tournament from, that they might have a good place to see from. The knights divided into two parties, some under the Templar, Sir Brian, and some under the champion of yesterday's combat.  There were some rules to prevent unnecessary bloodshed or death; no daggers, no thrusting with the sword, knights on the ground could fight with other knights of the ground but horsemen were not permitted to fight with a knight on the ground,  when Prince John threw down his baton all combat stopped, and if you were forced against the railing, you were vanquished. The combat began, and the first shock of the meeting threw half the knights off their horses. The ones on the ground that could fought each other, and the ones on horseback did the same. At last, there were just a few knights on each side, so Sir Brian and the Disinherited Knight were able to fight. The Disinherited Knight's party had had the worst of it, because of Front de Beuf's arm on one side, and Athelstane's on the other. These men both attempted to help Sir Brian run down and unhorse the Disinherited Knight, and he would have fallen had not a new man come to help him. This was the knight who, because he showed no inclination to fight, was termed The Black Sluggard. He rode up, crying "Desdichado, to the rescue! (this term came from the Disinherited Knight's shield)," and struck Front de Beuf down with his sword, then turned to Athelstane and, wrenching the battle axe from his hand, struck him such a blow as to stretch him out on the ground! Then he went back to the other side of the lists, and let the two leaders deal with each other. Ivanhoe easily threw down Sir Brian, and, getting down from his horse, commanded him to yield. But then Prince John threw down his baton, and ended the combat. The Disinherited Knight was not allowed to hide his face any longer, and when Rowena saw it, she gave a faint scream. However, she did not faint, but placed the crown of flowers on his head. It was Ivanhoe, Cedric's banished son! He swooned, and it was found that he had a spearhead buried in his side.

More soon!
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