strike the sand-belt! Then there will be an episode! Immediately after, the civilian multitude in the rear will retire, to meet business engagements elsewhere. None but nobles and gentry are knights, and none but these will remain to dance to our music after that episode. It is absolutely true that we shall have to fight nobody but these thirty thousand knights.

Now speak, and it shall be as you decide. Shall we avoid the battle, retire from the field?”

“NO!!!”

The shout was unanimous and hearty.

“Are you — are you — well, afraid of these thirty thousand knights?”

That joke brought out a good laugh, the boys’ troubles vanished away, and