Chapter 26 - Page 2

appearance of Beiffror. "Is that the horse they
presume to match with Marchevallee, the best steed that ever fed in
the vales of Mount Atlas?" But now the combatants, having met and
saluted each other, ride apart, to come together in full career.
Beiffror flew over the plain, and met the adversary more than halfway.
The lances of the two combatants were shivered at the shock, and
Bruhier was astonished to see almost at the same instant the sword
of Ogier gleaming above his head. He parried it with his buckler,
and gave Ogier a blow on his helmet, who returned it with another,
better aimed or better seconded by the temper of his blade, for it cut
away part of Bruhier's helmet, and with it his ear and part of his
cheek. Ogier, seeing the blood, did not immediately repeat his blow,
and Bruhier seized the moment to gallop off on one side. As he rode he
took a vase of gold which hung at the saddle-bow, and bathed with
its contents the wounded part. The blood instantly ceased to flow, the
ear and the flesh were restored quite whole, and the Dane was
astonished to see his antagonist return to the ground as sound as
ever.
Bruhier laughed at his amazement. "Know," said he, "that I possess
the precious balm that Joseph of Arimathea used upon the body of the
Crucified One, Whom you worship. If I should lose an arm, I could
restore it with a few drops of this. It is useless for you to
contend with me. Yield yourself, and, as you appear to be a strong
fellow, I will make you first oarsman in one of my galleys."
Ogier, though boiling with rage, forgot not to implore the
assistance of Heaven. "O Lord," he exclaimed, "suffer not the enemy of
Thy name to profit by the powerful help of that which owes all its
virtue to Thy divine blood." At these words he attacked Bruhier
again with more vigor than ever; both struck terrible blows, and
made grievous wounds; but the blood flowed from those of Ogier,
while Bruhier stanched his by the application of his balm. Ogier,
desperate at the unequal contest, grasped Cortana with both hands, and
struck his enemy such a blow that it cleft his buckler, and cut off
his arm with it; but Bruhier at the same time launched one at Ogier,
which, missing him, struck the head of Beiffror, and the good horse
fell, and drew down his master in his fall.
Bruhier had time to leap to the ground, to pick up his arm and apply
his balsam; then, before Ogier had recovered his footing, he rushed
forward with sword uplifted to complete his destruction.
Charlemagne, from the height of Montmartre, seeing the brave Ogier
in this situation, groaned, and was ready to murmur against
Providence; but the good Turpin, raising his arms, with a faith like
that of Moses, drew down upon the Christian warrior the