538 
SECOND BAS-RELIEF. 
form is affixed to the top of the horse’s head. By its evidently 
swaying backwards under the action of the air, in the career of the 
animal, it assumes a tassel-appearance ; hence whatever were its 
principal composition, it must have been overlaid with a light and 
long fringe-like surface. A very lengthened and large quiver hangs 
pendant on the warrior’s thigh ; it is suspended by a belt, and 
perfectly empty of arrows. A part of the armour, which is still 
not quite obliterated on this part of the figure, represents some 
kind of metal formed into scales, but more generally into small 
plates lying on the limb just above the knee, like that worn by 
the Knights Templars, as seen on their tombs. No trappings 
now remain on the horse which he rides, but it is stretched 
at speed; behind him, scarcely visible, appears an almost ef¬ 
faced form, which must have been the standard-bearer; that 
ensign being yet very plain, aloft in the air in that part of the 
group. It consists of a staff surmounted by a large ring; beneath 
is a transverse bar, with each end attached to a hanging tassel of 
an enormous size, and of the fringed pine-apple shape of those 
described on the warrior and his horse. His opponent is also 
mounted on a charger, but both man and horse are so obliterated, 
that little remains except the general contour of the rider and a 
few traces of the steed; yet the spirit in both survives the muti¬ 
lation. Indeed, notwithstanding the remains of the horses are 
rather clumsy, there is a surprising effect of concurring motion 
through the whole group. The spear of this second warrior is 
elevated in the air, in an oblique direction. His helmet is rather 
of a Grecian form, and something like the crest of that character 
crowns it. He likewise has streamers flowing about him, but 
not so amply as his adversary. A prostrate figure lies under the 
belly of the principal figure’s horse. This excavation is twenty- 
four feet in length, and twelve in height. 
