CHAPTER II.
'By my knightly oath, it is not fair,' said Ryno, after a long pause, 'to leave us standing here alone.'
'It is ungrateful,' murmured Idallan.
Ryno.--Say not that; for had all my heart's blood flowed upon this spot, the kiss impressed upon my lips would have been a sufficient reward.
Idallan.--I am wounded in the arm.
Ryno.--And I in the heart, which is far more dangerous.
Idallan.--What is now to be done?
Ryno.--Resume our travels. The heavenly forms moved towards the west, and happily no direction can be the wrong one for us.
Idallan sighed, and they proceeded towards their horses.
'Hold! what do I see?' cried Ryno.
'Where?' asked Idallan.
'A white veil, the earthly covering which the fairies left behind them when they mounted into the air.'
The two knights rushed towards the veil, and both caught hold of it at the same moment. 'It belonged to the damsel saved by me, and is therefore mine!' exclaimed Idallan.
Ryno.--I saw it first.
Idallan.--My blood flowed in the strife by which we have obtained it!
Ryno.--It is mine, I will not yield it up.
Idallan.--Nor I, but with my life.
Both held the veil fast, and it was in imminent danger of being torn in pieces.
'Hold!' said Ryno. 'Why should we senselessly destroy that which, uninjured, would make one of us happy. Let us calmly and peacefully determine our respective claims by an appeal to argument and reason.'
'I never will resign my claim,' scornfully exclaimed Idallan. 'If you persist in yours, the sword must decide.'
Ryno.--You are my brother in arms, and wounded; I will not fight with you!
Idallan.--Has the struggle with the Moors already exhausted your stock of courage?
Ryno.--Idallan! Even this shall not provoke me!
Idallan in a rage seized the veil, which Ryno reluctantly released, to save it from destruction. He hung it upon a high branch, and placed himself before it with his sword drawn. 'The veil is mine, if you are too cowardly to contend for it.' The noble Ryno half drew his sword, but, recollecting himself, immediately returned it to its sheath, and was about to mount his horse.
'Do you slight me?' roared Idallan, running after him sword in hand. Ryno was compelled to turn and draw, and a furious battle commenced over the dead bodies of the Moors. The attack and defence were conducted on both sides with equal courage and skill, so that neither obtained any advantage over the other. Sparks flew at every encounter of their weapons, the frightened birds flew screaming from the place, and the timid deer fled to the protection of the remotest thickets.