STORIES FROM KING ARTHUR

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 11 September 1937, Page 13

STORIES FROM KING ARTHUR

TUi; QUEST OF THE HOLY GKAII, TIIE CASTLE OF MAIDENS As Sir Galahad stood upon a hill looking down into the valley, he saw a great castle and wondered to whom it belonged. Seeing a very aged man gathering herbs, he asked him the name of the castle, and the old man looked at the young Knight strangely. "Ride not that way,” he -replied. “No man nor maiden who passes that castle

ever returns, tor it is the wicked Castle of Maidens.” "But I cannot pass such evil without trying to deliver those who are shut up within its walls.” replied Sir Galahad. "I wil Igo and fight whatever 1 find there.” The old man did all he could to dissuade Sir Galahad, but the young Knight looked to his armour to make sure that all was secure, and he looked to his shield also, and to his good sword, and prepared himself for a mighty struggle. As he rode towards the castle, seven beautiful maidens came

up to him. and when he looked into their eyes he knew them to be syrens, yet he stopped and spoke courteously to them. "Do not cross the water,” they pleaded softly. "Turn back while there is time to save yourself.” “What is the good or saving myscir when all my friends who pass that castle perish?” he replied. "Your friends will not come this way.” they said. “All the people in the world arc my friends," said Galahad, as he rode on. Then, seeing him from afar, the seven wicked brothers rode madly out

from the castle calling to him to defend himself, and they attacked him from every side. With the red cross shield hanging about his neck. Galahad fought hard, and little by little, he drove the seven knights back to the courtyard, and they, seeing that tic had penetrated into their stronghold unhurt, fled away by a small door, “Bring me the keys of this castle!” cried Sir Galahad. An old man brought them to him and he unlocked the dooi. He saw a gentlewoman with shi.i ng eyes, and she called to him joyfully. “Many years ago the seven wicked brothers slew my father and took this castle from me,” she explained. “They snared all who passed by, but I, knowing that evil cannot prosper for ever, prophesied that one day we should be delivered —and the day has come.” Then Sir Galahad set all the people free to go their ways and lead new and good lives, and the fame of his victory spread far and wide. But, disturbed by the praise the people sang of him, he so disguised himself that nobody might know him, and once more set out in search of the Holy Grail.