coming towards him. He had seen
Sir Kay's discomfiture, and wondered at the mastery which Beaumains had
shown.

'Fair sir,' cried Beaumains, turning and drawing rein as Sir Lancelot
approached, 'I would joust with you, if ye will.'

'Have at you, then!' replied Sir Lancelot with a laugh, and with spears
in rest they set their horses at a great gallop. They came together so
fiercely that they were both thrust backwards from their saddles and
fell to the earth, half stunned and greatly bruised.

Sir Lancelot recovered first and ran to help Beaumains to his feet, and
then, with their shields before them, they continued the combat with
swords. For an hour they strove fiercely, thrusting, striking and
parrying like two great boars in a forest clearing. Sir Lancelot was
astonished to feel how great was the young man's strength, how swift
were his thrusts, and how powerful were his blows. He recognised that
Beaumains was a dangerous fighter, and that he himself would have much
to do to overcome him.

'Beaumains,' he cried at length, 'fight not so hard, lad. Our quarrel,
if we have aught, is surely not so great that we cannot leave off.'

'That is truth!' said Beaumains, laughing, as he dropped the point of
his weapon. 'But, Sir Lancelot, it doth me good to feel your wondrous
skill and the strength of your arm. Yet, my lord, I have not shown the
uttermost of mine.'

'By my faith, I believe ye,' cried Sir Lancelot, 'for I should have
much ado to keep myself from shameful defeat if you should really push
me to the utmost. Therefore I say that you need not fear any earthly
knight.'

'I thank you for your good words,' replied Beaumains. 'And do you think
I may hope at any time to become a proved knight?'

'Fight as you have fought with me, and I have no doubt of you.'

'Then, I pray you, my lord,' said Beaumains, 'give me the order of
knighthood.'

'Ere I do that, you must tell me your name and of what kin you were
born,' replied Sir Lancelot.

'If you will promise to tell no one, I will reveal it.'

Sir Lancelot gave his promise, and Beaumains, going closer, whispered
some words into Sir Lancelot's ear.

'Ah, sir,' said Sir Lancelot, taking the young man's hand in his, 'I am
glad I was not deceived. I knew you must come of great kin, and that
you had not come to King Arthur for meat or drink. Kneel now, and I
will make you knight.'

So Beaumains knelt before Sir Lancelot, who lightly touched him on the
shoulder