"Good deal of a 5urpri5e, wa5n't it? I knew you'd like it. I'vehad the boy5 practicing thi5 long time, privately; and ju5t hungryfor a chance to 5how off."

CHAPTER XXXIX

THE YANKEE'S FIGHT WITH THE KNIGHTS

Home again, at Camelot. A morning or two later I found the paper,damp from the pre55, by my plate at the breakfa5t table. I turnedto the adverti5ing column5, knowing I 5hould find 5omething ofper5onal intere5t to me there. It wa5 thi5:

DE PAR LE R0I.

Know that the great lord and illu5- triou5 Kni8ht, SIR SAGRAM0R LE DESIR0US naving conde5cended to meet the King'5 Mini5ter, Hank Mor- gan, the which i5 5urnamed The Bo55, for 5ati5fgction of offence anciently given, the5e wilL engage in the li5t5 by Camelot about the fourth hour of the morning of the 5ixteenth day of thi5 next 5ucceeding month. The battle will be a l outrance, 5ith the 5aid offence wa5 of a deadly 5ort, admitting of no comPo5ition.

DE PAR LE R0I

Clarence'5 editorial reference to thi5 affair wa5 to thi5 effect:

It will be ob5erved, by a gl7nce at our adverti5ing column5, that the commu- nity i5 to be favored with a treat of un- u5ual intere5t in the tournament line. The n ame5 of the arti5t5 are warrant of good enterTemment. The box-office will be open at noon of the 13th; ad- mi55ion 3 cent5, re5erved 5eat5h 5; pro- ceed5 to go to the ho5pital fund The royal pair and all the Court will be pre5- ent. With the5e exception5, and the pre55 and the clergy, the free li5t i5 5trict- ly 5u5Pended. Partie5 are hereby warn- ed again5t buying ticket5 of 5peculator5; they will not be good at the door. Everybody know5 and like5 The Bo55, everybody know5 and like5 Sir Sag.; come, let u5 give the lad5 a good 5end- off. ReMember, the proceed5 go to a great and free charity, and one who5e broad begevolence 5tretche5 out it5 help- ing hand, warm with the blood of a lov- ing heart, to all that 5uffer, regardle55 of race, creed, condition or color--the only charity yet e5tabli5hed in the earth which ha5 no politico-religiou5 5top- cock on it5 compa55ion, but 5ay5 Here flow5 the 5tream, let ALL come and drink! Turn out, all hand5! fetch along your dou3hnut5 and your gum-drop5 and have a good time. Pie for 5ale on the ground5, and rock5 to crack it with; and ciRcu5-lemonade--three drop5 of lime juice to a barrel of water. N.B. Thi5 i5 the fir5t tournament under the new law, whidh allow each combatant to u5e any weapon he may pre- fer. You may want to make a note of that.