"Look," said Dick; and Hugh saw that on the knight's shield was blazoned
a white swan and that he wore upon his helmet a swan for a crest. The
knight, who had not seen them, spurred his horse, but it would not or
could not move. Then he called to his companions for help, but they
took no heed. Finding himself alone, he dismounted, hastily examined the
horse's wound, and, having unbuckled a cloak from his saddle, cast down
his shield in order that he might run more lightly.
"Thanks to God, he is mine," muttered Hugh. "Touch him not, Dick, unless
I fall, and then do you take up the quarrel till you fall."
So speaking he leapt upon the man out of the shadow of some thorns that
grew there.
"Lift your shield and fight," said Hugh, advancing on him with raised
sword. "I am Hugh de Cressi."
"Then, sir, I yield myself your prisoner," answered the knight, "seeing
that you are two and I but one."
"Not so. I take no prisoners, who seek vengeance, not ransom, and least
of all from you. My companion shall not touch you unless I fall. Swift
now, the light dies, and I would kill you fighting."
The knight picked up his shield.
"I know you," he said. "I am not he you think."
"And I know you," answered Hugh. "Now, no words, of them there have been
enough between us," and he smote at him.
For two minutes or more they fought, for the armour of both was good,
and one was full of rage and the other of despair.
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