to which the latter consented. For an hour they fought,
Beaumains showing such strength that Lancelot marvelled at it, and
esteemed him more a giant than a knight. He began, indeed, to fear that
he might be vanquished in the end, and at length cried out,--

"Beaumains, you fight too hard, considering that there is no quarrel
between us. I fancy you need no further proof."

"That is true enough, my lord," said Beaumains. "But it did me good to
feel your might. As for my own strength, I hardly know it yet."

"It is as much as I want to deal with," said Lancelot. "I had to do my
best to save my honor."

"Then you think I may prove myself a worthy knight?"

"I warrant you that, if you do as well as you have done to-day."

"I pray you, then, to invest me with the order of knighthood."

"That shall I willingly do. But you must first tell me your name, and
that of your father."

"You will keep my secret?"

"I promise you that on my faith, until you are ready to reveal it
yourself."

"Then, sir, my name is Gareth, and I am Gawaine's brother, though he
knows it not. I was but a child when he became a knight, but King Lot
was my father."

"I am very glad to hear that," said Lancelot. "I knew you were of gentle
blood, and came to court for something else than meat and drink."

Then Gareth kneeled before Lancelot, who made him a knight, and bade
him be a good and worthy one, and to honor his birth by his deeds.

Lancelot then left him and returned to Kay, who lay half dead in the
road. He had him borne back to the court, but his wound proved long in
healing, and he found himself the scorn of the court for his
discourteous treatment of the youth who had been put in his care.

CHAPTER II.

THE BLACK, THE GREEN, AND THE RED KNIGHTS.

When Beaumains overtook the damsel, he received from her but a sorry
greeting.

"How dare you follow me?" she said. "You smell too much of the kitchen
for my liking. Your clothes are foul with grease and tallow, and I
marvel much that King Arthur made a knight of such a sorry rogue. As for
yonder knight whom you wounded, there is no credit in that, for it was
done by treachery and cowardice, not by skill and valor. I know well why
Kay named you Beaumains, for you are but a lubber and turner of spits,
and a washer of soiled dishes."

"Say what you will, damsel," answered Beaumains, "you shall not drive me
away. King Arthur chose me to achieve your adventure, and I shall
perf