"He speaks thus, either to excuse himself or to frighten us," said one
of the men; and he went boldly forward, and tried to snatch the horn
from Bego's neck. The duke raised his fist, and knocked him senseless
to the ground.

"Never shall ye take horn from count's neck!" he cried.

Then all set upon him at once, hoping that by their numbers they might
overpower him. But Bego drew his sword, and struck valiantly to the
right and to the left of him. Three of the villains were slain
outright; and the rest took to their heels and fled, glad to escape
such fury.

And now all might have been well with Duke Bego. But a churl, armed
with a bow, and arrows of steel, was hidden among the trees. When he
saw his fellows put to flight, he drew a great steel bolt and aimed it
at the duke. Swiftly sped the arrow toward the noble targe: too truly
was it aimed. The duke's sword fell from his hands: the master-vein of
his heart had been cut in twain. He lifted his hands toward heaven,
and prayed:--

"Almighty Father, who always wert and art, have pity on my soul.--Ah,
Beatrice! thou sweet, gentle wife, never more shalt thou see me under
heaven.--Fair brother Garin of Lorraine, never shall I be with thee to
serve thee.--My two noble boys, if I had lived, you should have been
the worthiest of knights: now, may Heaven defend you!"

After a while the churl and the three villains came near him, and found
him dead. It was no common huntsman whom they had killed, but a good