Then he ran upon Bors and raised his sword to strike him on the head. But Colgrevance pushed between them and thrust him fiercely backward.
"Off, you murderer!" he cried. "If you are so hot for blood you must have mine first."
"Who are you?" demanded Lionel.
"I am Colgrevance, one of your fellows. Round Table Knights should be brothers, not foes, but I would challenge King Arthur himself in this quarrel."
"Defend yourself, meddler," cried Lionel, rushing upon him and striking him fiercely on the helm with his sword.
"That shall I," rejoined Colgrevance, attacking him in turn.
Then a hot battle began, for Colgrevance was a good knight, and defended himself manfully.
While the fight went on Bors recovered his senses, and saw with a sad heart Colgrevance defending him against his brother. He strove to rise and part them, but his hurts were such that he could not stand on his feet. And thus he sat watching the combat till he saw that Colgrevance had the worst, for Lionel had wounded him sorely, and he had lost so much blood that he could barely stand.
At this juncture he saw Bors, who sat watching them in deep anguish.
"Bors," he cried, "I am fighting to succor you. Will you sit there and see me perish?"