CHAPTER XXI.
"I put my life in my hands."-- The Book of Judges.
At length, with much toil and equal delight, our armour was finished.
We armed each other, and tested the strength of the defence, with many blows of loving force.

I was inferior in strength to both my brothers, but a little more agile than either; and upon this agility, joined to precision in hitting with the point of my weapon, I grounded my hopes of success in the ensuing combat.

I likewise laboured to develop yet more the keenness of sight with which I was naturally gifted; and, from the remarks of my companions, I soon learned that my endeavours were not in vain.
The morning arrived on which we had determined to make the attempt, and succeed or perish--perhaps both.

We had resolved to fight on foot; knowing that the mishap of many of the knights who had made the attempt, had resulted from the fright of their horses at the appearance of the giants; and believing with Sir Gawain, that, though mare's sons might be false to us, the earth would never prove a traitor.

But most of our preparations were, in their immediate aim at least, frustrated.
We rose, that fatal morning, by daybreak.