In an instant he was up, and before his foe could be again on guard, he whirled his axe round with all its force, and bringing it just at the point of the visor which he had already weakened with repeated blows, the edge of the axe stove clean through the armour, and the page was struck senseless to the ground.
A great shout broke from the English portion of the soldiery as Cuthbert leant over his prostrate foe, and receiving no answer to the question "Do you yield ?" rose to his feet, and signified to the squire who had kept near that his opponent was insensible.
King Richard ordered the pursuivant to lead Cuthbert to the royal enclosure.
"Thou art a brave lad and a lusty," the king said, "and hast borne thee in the fight as well as many a knight would have done.

Wert thou older, I would myself dub thee knight; and I doubt not that the occasion will yet come when thou wilt do as good deeds upon the bodies of the Saracens as thou hast upon that long-shanked opponent of thine.

Here is a gold chain; take it as a proof that the King of England holds that you have sustained well the honour of his country; and mark me, if at any time you require a boon, bring or send me that chain, and thou shall have it freely.

Sir Walter," he said, turning to the earl, "in this lad thou hast a worthy champion, and I trust me that thou wilt give him every chance of distinguishing himself.

So soon as thou thinkst him fit for the knightly rank I myself will administer the accolade.".