weight must have been great.  Felix passed near enough to note that his eyes were brown, and the expression of his face open, frank, and pleasing.  The impression left upon the observer was that of a strong intellect, but a still stronger physique, which latter too often ran away with and controlled the former.  No one could look upon him without admiration, and it was difficult to think that he could so demean himself as to wallow in the grossest indulgence.

As for the review, though it was a brilliant scene, Felix could not conceal from himself that these gallant knights were extremely irregular in their movements, and not one single evolution was performed correctly, because they were constantly quarrelling about precedence, and one would not consent to follow the other.  He soon understood, however, that discipline was not the object, nor regularity considered; personal courage and personal dexterity were everything.  This review was the prelude to active operations, and Felix now hoped to have some practical lessons in warfare.

He was mistaken.  Instead of a grand assault, or a regular approach, the fighting was merely a series of combats between small detachments and bodies of the enemy.  Two or three knights with their retainers and slaves would start forth, cross the stream, and riding right past the besieged city endeavour to sack some small hamlet, or the homestead of a noble.  From the city a sortie would ensue; sometimes the two bodies only threatened each other at a distance, the first retiring as the second advanced.  Sometimes only a few arrows were discharged; occasionally they came to blows, but the casualties were rarely heavy.

One such party, while returning, was followed by a squadron of horsemen from the town towards the stream to within three hundred yards of the king’s quarters.  Incensed at this assurance, several knights mounted their horses and rode out to reinforce the returning detachment, which was loaded with booty.  Finding themselves about to be supported, they threw down their spoils, faced about, and Felix saw for the first time a real and desperate melee.  It was over in five minutes.  The king’s knights, far better horsed, and filled with desire to exhibit their valour to the camp, charged with such fury that they overthrew the enemy and rode over him.

Felix saw the troops meet; there was a crash and cracking as the lances broke, four or five rolled from the saddle on the trodden corn, and the next moment the entangled mass of men and horses unwound itself as the enemy hastened back to the walls.  Felix was eager to join in such an affray, but he had no horse nor weapon.  Upon another occasion early one bright morning four knights and their followers, about forty in all, deliberately set out from the camp, and advanced up the sloping ground towards the city.  The camp was soon astir watching their proceedings; and the king, being made acquainted with what was going on, came out from his booth.  Felix, who now entered the circular entrenchment without any difficulty, got up on the mound with scores of others, where, holding to the stakes, they had a good view.