Page:Gesta Romanorum - Swan - Wright - 2.djvu/319

Rh blow, or dissembled it; and his adversary suddenly disappeared. He, therefore, led away the captured horse, and consigned him to the charge of his squire. He was prodigiously large, light, and of a beautiful shape. When Albert returned, the household crowded around him; struck with the greatest wonder at the event, and rejoicing at the overthrow of the hostile knight, while they lauded the bravery of the magnanimous baron. When, however, he put off his cuishes, one of them was filled with clotted blood. The family were alarmed at the appearance of the wound; and the servants were aroused and despatched here and there. Such of them as had been asleep, admiration of the exploit now induced to watch. As a testimony of conquest, the horse, held by the bridle, was exposed to public inspection. His eyes sparkled like fire; and he arched his neck proudly; his hair was of a lustrous jet, and he bore a war-saddle on his back. The cock had already begun to crow, when the animal foaming, curveting, snorting, and furiously striking the ground with his feet, broke the