Page:The Enchanted Knights; or The Chronicle of the Three Sisters.djvu/64

52 acorn lance with double-edged point of steel, but that also split like a straw. The bull then tossed the youth as easily as a shuttlecock, watching beneath to catch him in his descent, or to trample upon him. Fortunately he fell among the branches of a wild pear tree, and although all his ribs cracked he possessed sufficient presence of mind to cling to the tree, for the enraged beast knocked with his iron front so violently against the trunk that its roots began to yield. When the murderous bull turned to make a new start, Reginald called to mind the presents of his brothers-in-law. Chance placed the paper containing the bear’s hairs in his hands; he rubbed them and in a moment a grim bear trotted towards the bull to engage him in deadly conflict. Master Bruin soon overcame his horned antagonist, strangled and tore him into pieces, and out of the belly of the beast flew a wild duck, loudly quacking. Reginald had a presentiment that this new stroke of magic defeated the victory that the bear had gained, and carried off the spoils; he therefore quickly rubbed the three feathers between his hands. A gigantic eagle appeared in the air, at whose sight the timorous duck hid itself in the bushes, whilst the eagle towered at a great height above. When the knight saw this, he