Samuel E. Lowe

“ And for that reason I come to you to be made knight."
"Knights, good friend," replied the King, "are not so easily made. Such knights as we do appoint must first prove their worth. We know thee not, stranger, and know not the meaning of thy strange garb. For truly, thou art a strange sight."
"I am Breunor le Noire and soon you will know that I am of good kin. This coat I wear is token of vow made for vengeance. So, I found it on my slain father and I seek his slayer. This day, oh King, I go forth content, if you make promise that should I perform knightly deed you will dub me knight of yours." ”

“ His eyes twinkled merrily.
"Shall we hang this scurvy king?" he asked.
"If you will, sire," said Sir Tristram. "I fancy he has suffered much by now. And since he is uncle of mine I beg of you treat him more gently than he deserves. Let us rather laugh at him. True, there are some of us who have been wounded, but none fatally."
"And after all," said Sir Percival, "see how much we can laugh?"
Sir Launcelot too nodded in agreement.
"In truth," King Arthur agreed, "I have found no fancy to act as hangman to him. For knave and villain though he is, yet is he still a king. What say you Cadoris?" ”

“ CHAPTER VIII WHEN Pinkie Whiskers reached home, he told Mother and Father Gray all about how he chopped down the tree and how the beautiful Tree-Fairy was freed from her prison. Mother Gray said:
“My son, you have had a very wonderful experience, but please be careful what you do and where you go. Country life is very different from city life and you are very young.”
“Yes, mother, I will be careful, but I want to do everything that anyone else does,” replied Pinkie Whiskers.
“Now, now,” spoke Uncle Whiskers, “let the boy have his way. I am sure that he is a genius. ”

“ Not at once did Sir Launcelot answer. Yet it was the best within him that did give final utterance.
"I promise you father, that such help as I can give the lad I shall. Much have I learned. And with these things that I have learned he shall be guided. No bitterness mine. Since I am not to be the finder of the Holy Grail, I pledge you now my aid to Allan."
"Launcelot, so little fails you for that needed greatness. None have I loved so much. If you have sinned you have been great and glorious even in the sinning.
"Never have you been finer than now. Allan will need your help, your strength. ”

“ Gathering up their fish, they once more started for home.
The battle with the wolves had not taken more than a few minutes, although, as Bobby now told his father, it had seemed a long, long while to him.
"I was so afraid the little wolf would steal my fish," said Bobby.
"It is well to be able to take care of yourself, isn't it?" asked Father Bear.
"Yes," said Bobby. "If you keep on taking me out with you every day, I shall grow up to be a very strong bear. I can see that." ”

“ I live here in the meadow. You look like strangers. Where do you live?” he inquired.
“Our names are Twinkle Gray, Winkle Gray and Pinkie Whiskers Gray,” replied Pinkie Whiskers. “We live in the cheese factory.”
“Why, that is strange, that is strange,” said Sammy Woodchuck. “You must be relatives of Uncle Whiskers. I have heard him speak of you. Welcome to the country.”
[75] “Thank you very much for your welcome,” replied Pinkie Whiskers, for Mother Gray had taught her children to be very polite.
“Why do you call our Uncle Whiskers, your Uncle Whiskers,” inquired Twinkle. ”

“ Now in the front there rode, the two, Sir Tristram and Sir Launcelot and with them Sir Dagonet.
"Truly, I often wonder, good Dagonet, wherefore they call you a fool," spoke Sir Launcelot. "Here comes this thought of yours that could come only from the wisest man or the greatest fool. Often, I wonder which you are."
"Yet good Launcelot, since I am I, I know which of these I am. What sooth, what matters it, which you and all of these," and Sir Dagonet pointed to the others with them, "which you think me? If it pleases all of you, it pleases me to be a fool. ”

“ Bobby looked up at the tree where all the bees were flying around and around, keeping up a most noisy buzzing. Then he thought of his father going all alone up the tree to take the honey from all those bees, which surely would not want to part with it.
Father Bear did not seem to be afraid. He had already dug his claws into the thick bark at the foot of the tree and was about to climb.
"Now, my boy," he said to Bobby, "when I get a little way up the tree, you hand me the big brown jar. I can easily climb the rest of the way with one hand, because the claws in my feet are very big and strong." ”

“ And having come, you must, prithee, listen to the things that must be told you."
"Launcelot," and the monk spoke sternly and yet with great sadness, "as measured by men thou art the bravest knight in Christendom. Chivalrous, strong, yet gentle and ever ready to succor the weak and distressed. Your name shall be emblazoned as symbolic of chivalry." The strange man paused for a time.
"I speak now of the Holy Grail," he resumed. "Who would be better fitted to seek and find the Holy Grail? Are there any who hold greater desire to find the same? And who seeks to make himself more worthy?" ”

“ THEY VISIT THE FARMER'S CORNFIELD
"Where are you going to get the corn?" asked Bobby Bear, as he trotted along beside his father that bright, sunny morning.
"Why," Father Bear replied, "we have been invited by Farmer Jenkins to go and take as much as we like."
"He must be a kind man," answered Bobby.
"He is. Not all farmers are as kind as he. Yet it is fine for him, too, as nobody steals from him. In that way he is better off than the farmers who never help raccoons or bears, or badgers."
"How much corn can we have?" asked Bobby. ”

“ He made him fond embrace. "Right proud of you am I brother. Proud too, that it is Launcelot, whose knight you shall be."
Then Sir Gareth became knight. And as they made their way again into the great hall, the King beckoned to Sir Gareth.
"Are you still of a mind to take on yourself the first adventure that cometh. For here is one that promises a lengthy time in its fulfillment."
Before the new knight could make answer, Sir Gawaine spoke.
"This sire, is Gareth, my youngest brother. Worthy of knighthood has he proven so far as strength and skill go." ”

“ When his great, shaggy head appeared in front of their house the bees were very angry, and buzzed around making a very loud noise.
"Father, father," cried Bobby, "be careful, they'll sting you. Remember what you told me about what bees do to little bears."
"Don't fear for me, Bobby. My skin is tough and no bee can possibly hurt me. Just watch so that you will know how to get the honey when you grow into a big, strong bear."
Father Bear thrust the sharp claws of his two powerful feet into the tree. He pressed the jar against the trunk, holding himself firmly by his left hand. ”

“ There she recounted of Sir Gareth and of the others, too. She told of the knight's bravery and how he had overcome Sir Brian de les Isles, and of all their other adventures. Told too, of who Sir Gareth was, and how gentle and how eager he was to take up her gauntlet. Until Dame Lyoness' eyes grew large and their shade dark brown. For she was overly pleased at the description of her champion.
"Yet must he be of the strongest and most skillful," she said fearfully, "to overcome this cruel knight. For the Red Knight is far superior to even Sir Brian." ”

“ A strong east wind was blowing which helped Father Bear somewhat, as it was hard for the bees to keep on the wing against such a wind. When it blew stronger than ever Bobby saw his father thrust a great paw into the black hole in the tree. Great masses of golden, yellow honey were put quickly into the jar. Again and again father put in his hand just as though no bees were around at all. ”

“ And once he found himself within, only Merlin the Wizard knew who he was. The others knew him not, not even Sir Percival nor Sir Launcelot. So Merlin came forward and greeted him.
"They do not yet know you lad, for greatly have you changed with these few years. Almost grown to full manhood and of a truth full well and ready for the further conduct of your mission. Come you with me for your seat is saved."
"Nay, sir, I hold no seat for I am as yet no knight, though hopeful," replied the lad. ”

“ Long did they joust without either besting the other until he of the black shield by great skill and fine force brought down a mighty blow and did smite Sir Palomides over his horse's croup. But now as the knight fell King Arthur was there and he rode straight at the unknown knight shouting, "Make thee ready for me!" Then the brave sovereign, with eager heart, rode straight at him and as he came, his horse reared high. And such was the King's strength he unhorsed Sir Tristram. ”

“ Sir Neil was lost to them for the time, Wonkin, too had fought heroically but had fallen, sorely wounded in an attack. Three others had been hurt, and for every man who fell, there grew the greater burden on those who were left. Constant watch, constant need for being present to repel the attackers had left the mark of weariness on Sir Launcelot, Sir Tristram and Sir Percival. Yet these three were a host in themselves as they, with Gouvernail and Walker, set an inspiring example to the rest. ”