WHEN KNIGHTHOOD WORE SKATES
weathered the storm, and thus shoulder to shoulder we left the lake, struck the first bend in the river, and were off for home.
"But the Tan-Nics were as persistent as book-agents, and while some continued in our wake, others, by cutting across lots, headed us off at the next corner. Our fighting blood was now up, however, and without giving an inch we hugged the pole and crashed our way through this new menace and past the first quarter. Tib yelled in my clouded ear that the original owners of our borrowed clothes had permeated the iron with their spirits and were inciting us to daring deeds. But navigating the slim river was vastly different from loafing about on the roomy lake, and more difficult; and I answered that the old knights had neglected to supply strength commensurate with their legacy of ambition, and then confessed I was out of energy and was all in. Just as I had shown the white feather, my legs became two strings and I went down, a clattering clutter of old junk.
"‘Go on and get help,' I groaned. 'I'm but an ancient relic'
"But the old chap knew a trick worth several of that. 'Stick up your heels,' he cried, and I had just sufficient vigor to obey. Then taking a mailed hoof in each of his gauntlets he continued skating, pushing and steering me before him head first, as if
95
