< previous page page_171 next page >

Page 171
but not weakened or of brittle wood as the boys' lances had been.
"In God's name, do your battle," the herald cried.
The meeting between Ian and Richard, which opened the serious jousting of the day, was a display of near-perfection in one of the arts of war. It was also a fine demonstration of two immovable objects meeting two irresistible forces.
Before the herald's voice had died away, both destriers leapt forward, reins having been dropped from the fingers of the left hand and spurs having been raked hard. Even so, the first pass was a mere gentle testing, Richard being concerned for his "uncle" Ian's age and Ian not wishing to jar Richard too hard for the sake of his bruised and tender face. Since neither man had exerted his full power and each had deliberately aimed his lance just a trifle awry, the lances did not splinter, sliding harmlessly off firmly held and cleverly tilted shields.
Despite the gentle consideration of each man, the shock delivered was strong enough to inform the other that he was not dealing with frail age or delicate discomfort. The used lances were cast down, the snorting destriers were wheeled into position, and new lances were seized and fewtered. On the call, both riders thundered forward again. This time, there was no holding back. Each man threw himself forward with all his strength and all his skill.
Each lance hit fair. Each destrier was thrown back on his haunches. Each man rose two inches in his saddle, impelled upward by the enormous shock. Two loud cracks, nearly simultaneous, signaled the shattering of both lances. Each man dropped the two inches he had risen, the destriers recovered, thundered on past each other to the end of the lists to be wheeled into position again. The third pass was a near-perfect repetition of the second, except that Richard's lance broke first. For five interminable seconds, Ian's held; for five interminable seconds, Ian pressed forward, but not an inch farther could he move Richard out of the saddle, and at last the sharp report of cracking wood released them both.
The crowd roared its approval. Usually they were rather bloodthirsty and preferred the stronger excitements of falls and injuries, but so excellent an exhibition of strength and skill drew appreciation. Besides, it was only the beginning of

 
< previous page page_171 next page >