Then out spake Ulfrid Longbow,[013]
          A valiant youth was he,
        “Lo!  I will stand on thy right hand
          And guard the pass for thee!”
        And out spake fair Flureeza,[014]
          His sister eke was she,
        “I will abide on thy other side,
          And turn thy steed for thee!”

        And now commenced a struggle
          Between that steed and rider,
        For all the strength that he hath left
          Doth not suffice to guide her. 
        Though Ulfrid and his sister
          Have kindly stopped the way,
        And all the crowd have cried aloud,
        “We can’t wait here all day!”

        Round turned he as not deigning
          Their words to understand,
        But he slipped the stirrups from his feet
          The bridle from his hand,
        And grasped the mane full lightly,
          And vaulted from his seat,
        And gained the road in triumph,[015]
          And stood upon his feet.

        All firmly till that moment
          Had Ulfrid Longbow stood,
        And faced the foe right valiantly,
          As every warrior should. 
        But when safe on terra firma
          His brother he did spy,
        “What did you do that for?” he cried,
        Then unconcerned he stepped aside
          And let it canter by.

        They gave him bread and butter,[016]
        That was of public right,
        As much as four strong rabbits,
          Could munch from morn to night,
        For he’d done a deed of daring,
          And faced that savage steed,
        And therefore cups of coffee sweet,
        And everything that was a treat,
          Were but his right and meed.

        And often in the evenings,
          When the fire is blazing bright,
        When books bestrew the table
          And moths obscure the light,
        When crying children go to bed,
          A struggling, kicking load;
        We’ll talk of Ulfrid Longbow’s deed,
        How, in his brother’s utmost need,
        Back to his aid he flew with speed,
        And how he faced the fiery steed,
          And kept the New Croft Road.

[Illustration:  Exterior of Christ Church]

* * * * *

CHAPTER II

(1850-1860.)

Matriculation at Christ Church—­Death of Mrs. Dodgson—­The Great Exhibition—­University and College Honours—­A wonderful year—­A theatrical treat—­Misch-Masch—­The Train—­College Rhymes—­His nom de plume—­“Dotheboys Hall”—­Alfred Tennyson—­Ordination—­Sermons—­A visit to Farringford—­“Where does the day begin?”—­The Queen visits Oxford.

We have traced in the boyhood of Lewis Carroll the