It was true. The horseman was almost on them.
"Fly not so fast, gentlemen!" he cried as he came up.
"I knew it was he," muttered Gilbert, halting.
"You have given me some trouble to overtake you!" said Henry of Stramen, with a bitter sneer, as he wheeled his swift horse, which had darted ahead, and confronted them.
"Had I been well mounted," answered Gilbert, "you should have had your trouble in vain!"
"I conjectured as much, from your determined flight," returned Henry.
Gilbert was stung to the quick, but he constrained himself to reply:
"With your permission, sir, we will ride on."
"My permission can only be obtained in one way, and that way should already have been embraced by a Suabian noble."
Saying this, the young knight leaped to the ground, and drew his sword.