The queen exclaimed: "Alack, Sir Boss, wilt fight naked, and without lance or sword or--" But the king checked her and made her understand, with a polite phrase or two, that this was none of her business.

The bugles rang again; and we separated and rode to the ends of the lists, and took position.

Now old Merlin stepped into view and cast a dainty web of gossamer threads over Sir Sagramor which turned him into Hamlet's ghost; the king made a sign, the bugles blew, Sir Sagramor laid his great lance in rest, and the next moment here he came thundering down the course with his veil flying out behind, and I went whistling through the air like an arrow to meet him -- cocking my ear the while, as if noting the invisible knight's position and progress by hearing, not sight.

A chorus of encouraging shouts burst out for him, and one brave voice flung out a heartening word for me--said: "Go it, slim Jim!" It was an even bet that Clarence had procured that favor for me -- and furnished the language, too.

When that formidable lance-point was within a yard and a half of my breast I twitched my horse aside without an effort, and the big knight swept by, scoring a blank.
I got plenty of applause that time.