When mass was over they beheld a large stone which had mysteriously appeared in the churchyard.

This stone was surmounted by a ponderous anvil, in which the blade of a sword was deeply sunk.

Drawing near to examine the wonder, they read an inscription upon the jeweled hilt, to the effect that none but the man who could draw out the sword should dare to take possession of the throne.

Of course all present immediately tried to accomplish this feat, but all failed.
Several years passed by ere Sir Hector came to London with his son, Sir Kay, and his foster son, young Arthur.

Sir Kay, who, for the first time in his life, was to take part in a tournament, was greatly chagrined, on arriving there, to discover that he had forgotten his sword; so Arthur volunteered to ride back and get it.