"You have been too long from me," he said, "and no small damage you have done me. Treason has been at work, and treason shall have its deserts."
Then, seeing the scabbard hanging by Accolan's side, he sprang suddenly forward and wrenched it from him, flinging it across the field as far as he could throw it.
[Illustration: Copyright by Frederick Hollyer, London, England.
"Now, sir knight," cried Arthur, "my turn has come. You have nearly brought my life to an end with this sword, and I warrant that you shall be rewarded for the blood I have lost and the pain I have endured this day."
Therewith, furious as a wounded lion, Arthur rushed upon his foe, hurled him with all his strength to the earth, tore off his helm, and gave him such a blow upon the head that blood burst out from his ears, nose, and mouth.
"Do so if you will," said Accolan. "You are the best knight I ever met, and I see now that God is with you. But I promised to do this battle to the uttermost, and never to yield me recreant. Therefore kill me if you will, for my voice shall never ask for mercy."
Then Arthur, looking closer, saw something familiar in his face.
"Tell me who you are," he cried; "of what country and court."
"Sir knight," said Accolan, "I am of the court of King Arthur, and my name is Accolan of Gaul."
Arthur heard this with deep dismay. For there came into his mind the enchantment of the ship, and his heart sank with fear of the treason of his sister.
"Tell me this also, sir knight," he asked, "from whom had you this sword?"
"Woe worth that sword," cried Accolan; "I have gotten my death by it."
"That may well be," answered Arthur, "and I fancy have got no more than you deserve."
"Yesterday," said the knight, "Morgan le Fay sent me that sword by a dwarf, that with it I might slay the knight with whom I should fight this day! And she would also pledge me to slay King Arthur, her brother, for she hates him above any man in the world."
"I have loved her long, and know her purposes well, nor shall I longer keep them secret. If by craft she could slay Arthur, she would quickly dispose of her husband, King Uriens. Then it was her intent to make me king of this realm, and to reign herself as its queen. But all this now is at an end, for death is upon me."