Everything was favourable to the enjoyment of the spectacle.

The day was bright and beautiful, and a sparkling sunshine lighted up the splendid accoutrements of the knights, the gorgeous caparisons of their steeds, and the rich habiliments of their attendants; while a gentle breeze stirred the plumes upon the helmets, and fluttered the bandrols on their lances.

The effect was heightened by enlivening strains of minstrelsy, and the fanfares of the trumpeters.

The utmost enthusiasm was awakened among the spectators, and their acclamations were loud and long.
At this juncture, Dick Taverner, who had been shouting as lustily as the rest, tossing his cap in the air, and catching it dexterously as it fell, held his breath and clapped his bonnet on his head, for an object met his eye which fixed his attention.

It was the sombre figure of a knight accoutred in black armour, who was pressing his steed through the throng in the direction of the fountain.