BOOK V.

THE ADVENTURES OF BEAUMAINS.

CHAPTER I.

THE KNIGHTING OF KAY'S KITCHEN BOY.

King Arthur had, early in his reign, established the custom that at the
feast of Pentecost he would never dine until he had seen or heard of
some marvellous event. Through that custom many strange adventures were
brought to his notice. It happened on one day of Pentecost that the king
held his Round Table at a castle called Kinkenadon, on the borders of
Wales. On that day, a little before noon, as Gawaine looked from a
window, he saw three men on horseback and a dwarf on foot approaching
the castle. When they came near the men alighted, and, leaving their
horses in care of the dwarf, they walked towards the castle-gate. One of
these men was very tall, being a foot and a half higher than his
companions.

On seeing this, Gawaine went to the king and said,--

"Sire, I deem you can now safely go to your dinner, for I fancy we have
an adventure at hand."

[Illustration: KING ARTHUR'S ROUND TABLE, WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL.]

The king thereupon went to the table with his knights and the kings who
were guests at his court. They were but well seated when there came into
the hall two men, richly attired, upon whose shoulders leaned the
fairest and handsomest young man that any there had ever seen. In body
he was large and tall, with broad shoulders and sturdy limbs, yet he
moved as if he could not bear himself erect, but needed support from his
comrades' shoulders.

When Arthur saw this youth he bade those around him to make room, and
the stranger with his companions walked up to the high dais without
speaking.

Then he drew himself up straight and stood erect before the king.

"King Arthur," he said, "may God bless you and your fellowship, and,
above all, the fellowship of the Round Table. I am come hither to beg of
you three gifts, promising that they shall not be unreasonable, and that
you can honorably grant them without hurt or loss to yourself. The first
I shall ask now, and the other two this day twelvemonth."

"Ask what you will," said Arthur. "You shall have your gift, if it be so
easy to grant."

"This is my first petition, that you furnish me meat and drink
sufficient for this year, and until the time has come to ask for my
other gifts."

"My fair son," said Arthur, "I counsel you to ask more than this. If my
judgment fail not, you are of good birth and fit for