Having bestowed a similar boon upon each of the marshals, Mounchensey requested that the coffer might be placed in charge of his esquire--and his directions were complied with.
"Is all concluded ?" demanded the King.
"The contest for the prize is necessarily decided," replied the marshal; "but there yet remains the combat with the sword on horseback, if it pleases Sir Jocelyn to engage in it." "What saith our young knight ?" demanded the King.

"Is he willing to risk the laurels he hath so fairly won on another, and it may be more dangerous encounter?
What he hath already done may fairly entitle him to decline further hazard, if he be so minded." "I should ill deserve your Majesty's high commendations if I hesitated for a moment," replied Mounchensey; "but so far from feeling disinclination to the combat, I should regret if this opportunity for further distinction were denied me.

With your Majesty's gracious permission, I will pray the marshals of the field to let it be proclaimed by the heralds and pursuivants-at-arms that I challenge any true knight to do battle with me with the sword, and on horseback." "Ye will fight with a blunted blade, Sir Jocelyn," cried the King.

"We maun hae nae risk of life.

Our dear dog, Steenie, hath had his bonnie craig well-nigh broken, and we will hae nae mair mischief done." "The laws of the tilt-yard, with which Sir Jocelyn is doubtless well acquainted," observed the marshal, "require that the edge of the sword shall be dull, as your Majesty hath stated, and that no blow shall be dealt with the point of the weapon.